diyguy

So.. I think I've got a dead one on Front Left and was checking threads to see if it's common for one to always act up but the others dont'.

THEN, I run across this link:

http://www.corvetteguys.com/corvette-tpms-tool.html

Low and behold a "special" tool for programming. Reading down a bit further, I find the directions for both the C5 and the C6. This tool is used for both??? Now that raises a major question......

Having had 2 C5's (a 99 and a y2k), I was able to program the TPS with nothing but a very strong magnet held next to the valve stem until I got a confirmation "HONK" then moved on the the others in sequence.

Now I am left wondering - What is the deal here? Why did I not need anything but a strong magnet for the C5, yet a 'special' tool for the C6??

Since I know I've probably got a dead one, I'm not to inclined to check the magnet method just yet. Just wondering if anybody else knew how to do this on a C5? If so, has anybody tried this on the C6?

mcandrew67

magnet worked on some early 05 C6's, but not after.

BEZ06

Like mcandrew67 says, a very early '05 (built before Sept 2004) may have sensors that will trigger with a magnet. Those sensors are different from C5 sensors, but the same ones that were used in th '04 and '05 XLR. There are none remaining in the supply system, and they have been replaced by the current ones in use in the 2005-2009 C6.

The sensors used in the 2005-2009 MUST be triggered by a TPMS tool that transmits the 125 KHz triggering frequency.

In the 2010 C6, GM changed the TPMS in the 2010 model year so that a change in air pressure in the tire would trigger the sensor - i.e., a tool is not required for the 2010 and early 2011 sensors. However, cars built in Jan 2011 or later need a tool.

The document linked below discusses some info about how the air pressure change method was discontinued in cars built from Jan 2011 on.

http://gmspecialservicetools.spx.com...0448_rev_1.pdf

You can also see in that document that GM has made a "low cost" tool. You can see in the document that a price of $43.65 is mentioned, but I've asked my local Chebie dealer to order me a tool for that price, but he said he couldn't order tools.

If you look at the very end of the document there's a link to a site where you can order the tool for $58.20.

I looked in your profile and it indicates you have a 2007.

Bottom line - a magnet will not work with your 2007. You must use a tool to reprogram the sensors in your car.

BTW, I added a video below showing how to use a tool to do the relearn procedure.

Bob

diyguy

Well, Very interesting..

Only raises one question then. How does this tool work on the C5's? Was the magnet trick just stumbled on as an alternative to using RF to program them?

BEZ06

The C5 sensors will not trigger with an RF transmission from a tool - the CorvetteGuys are mistaken.

I posted a video link in my previous post. The TIPS tool in that video has a "U-shaped" area on the bottom. That area contains a strong magnet for C5 sensors.

Bob

Bill Dearborn

The tool could have a magnet built into it. Just place the one end near the tire valve and it triggers the sensor. It wouldn't be hard to do since all it takes is a small magnet.

Bill

diyguy

Ah... Cleared that one up!

Thanks,

Got the link and page to order the tool. On order form it says "Call" so will check it out next week.

crimlwC6

I called a few weeks ago and was told it was on back order till September so I bought a VT15 from Tirerack for about $100

Turbo6TA

I need to bring my 2011 GS into the dealership to have the rear bumper replaced after getting rear-ended.

While it's there, I need to have all 4 of my new TPMS sensors programmed since I changed out the stock tires and wheels.

What is the normal cost these dealerships charge for programming the sensors?

I'm thinking that it takes them maybe 5 minutes of time to do this?

Ron,

BEZ06

Hi Ron

It takes about a minute to do the procedure with a tool.

As I mentioned in a previous post, a 2010 or a 2011 built in Dec of 2010 or earlier can be done by changing air pressure in the tire - so you could do it yourself with no tool!

If you have the dealer do it, a few years ago I was quoted $10 by one local dealer and $49.95 by another. I've seen posts where forum members were told it was free, and others were told it would cost as much as $100 for the one minute procedure!!!

BTW, you say you got new wheels. How are the sensors mounted??

Many exotic aftermarket wheels mount the sensors with band/straps deep inside the wheel. If that's the case with your wheels, take them to a tire shop. Dealers are not generally good with anything that's not OE.

Bob

Turbo6TA

Bob,
I have 2011 GS which was manufactured in Sep 2010.

I replaced the OEM tires and wheels with new OEM Comp Gray Z06 Spiders and a set of Nitto Invo tires. The TPMS sensors are just part of the valve stem that go into the standard hole in the wheel where you would find any valve stem mounted.

BEZ06

If you've got OE wheels you shouldn't have any problem reprogramming the sensors.

HOWEVER - the picture you have is of an aftermarket sensor.

Are those the sensors in your wheels???

The OE sensors for a 2010+ C6 are green in color and peanut shaped.

If you are using an aftermarket sensor, it must be compatible with the green sensor with GM Part# 15268606.

If you have an aftermarket sensor that's compatible with the gray 2005-2009 OE sensor, it will not work in your 2010 or newer C6.

Bob

Bobbyosto

BEZ06:
How do you know when you have a bad sensor and not one that just has to be re-programmed?

Turbo6TA

Bob,

I just pulled that photo off the internet.

The stock GM sensors for the 2010-2011 Corvette is P/N 15268606.

I bought a set of Orange Electronics sensors with P/N SC8606.

They are a direct replacement for the GM P/N 15268606

They come with everything including the mount nuts. Price delivered to the door from Amazon was $125 (that sure beats the best price I could find for the OEM GM sensors at about $200 to the door)

Others here on the forum has reported using these aftermarket sensors with no issues ... we shall see

BEZ06

That's a good question!!

Sometimes a bad sensor will indicate "xx psi", and one that needs to be reprogrammed may read "0 psi" on the DIC. However, that's not always the case.

I've got a TPMS tool like the one below:




You can see that the tool has a screen and it can display stuff about the sensor when you do a diagnostic check of the sensor. The screen will display the sensor ID#, the pressure it's sensing, the state of the internal battery in the sensor, the frequency the sensor is transmitting on, and the mode it's operating in.

So....if a tool like that is used to check your sensors, you should be able to tell if the battery in the sensor is still good.

Depending on the tool, some will have better diagnostic capabilities than others. The low cost tools basically will only trigger the sensor - they won't do much, if anything, in the way of diagnosing a problem.

Bob

Bobbyosto

Every so often my tire pressure warning lite comes on and the DIC reads "Check tire monitors". I look at the pressures and all have a reading except one, it reads "XX". Once the lite goes off, may be a few hours later, I check the pressures and they ALL have a reading in PSI's. What might be going on?

Racer

Bob, my new (to me) ZR1 had a set of aftermarket Black rims on it. The person bought another ZR1 (2011). I bought the 09 ZR1 and they just switched over the new tires and rims off the 2011 onto mine. My DIC when I start it says service tire monitors, (obviously), then I hit reset and just shows the little tire icon. When I check my tire pressure it does not read 0, it reads XXX. Is this what it should read? I was assuming I just need to get the 2009 sensors and then trigger them with my tool and all will be good. What says you?

BEZ06

Hi Racer

Yep -

Get the 2005-2009 sensors mounted and use your tool to program them.

I have a 2009 ZR1 as well. It came with chrome wheels and I got a set of Comp Grays for it with a new set of tires and sensors.

I got the sensors with GM Part# 25758220 (the gray sensors used in the 2005-2009) and they work great.

I just put the ZR1 chrome wheels on my 2006 Z06 to drive up to the NCM Track event at VIR and the 2009 sensors programmed into the 2006 with no problem.

The sensors in the wheels off the 2011 won't program into your 2009 TPMS.

BTW, those chrome wheels had a pretty good vibration on the ZR1 at about 80-83 mph when I first got it. I had the wheels balanced a couple times, and I indexed them around on the lugs and finally got it down to where the vibe was essentially gone - but not completely. I still had a very, very slight vibe at 83 mph. I've balanced my Comp Grays and still have that very slight vibe at 83 with them also.

HOWEVER - NO VIBE at all on the Z06!! I think the vibe that some owners are getting on the ZR1 and Z06 with carbon ceramic rotors is coming from the rotors and not necessarily the wheels/tires.

Bob
Happy Birthday USA

Racer

Thanks Bob!

Chevy Cust Svc

Could you give us an update on what’s going on with your Vette? Have you taken it to the dealer to tried to perform any fix on your own?

Thanks,
Laura
GM Customer Service