Tire pressure light is blinking off and on

T. JOHN

MEMBER
2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
132,987 MILES

This pasted Friday I was on the road and about seventy or so miles from home. I noticed the tire icon blinking off and on. So I stopped my truck got out and checked all the tires. All were a little high for being on the road. Released some air and went on to where I was going.
When I arrived it was still blinking. After about three houres or so I checked the pressure in all and they were a little high. So I made sure all the tires had the right pressure in them. Checked them late last night. All losted some air and so I put some in.
Now fast forward to today 9-25-17. Check them this morning and made sure all had the correct pressure in them.
I hope I gave you enough information So you can figure out what is wrong.

7 Replies

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,938 POSTS

Did you check the spare as if it is a full size tire it will have a pressure monitor fitted as well.

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Tuesday, September 26th, 2017 AT 12:37 AM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
12,958 POSTS

Do you have a TPMS tool or a scan tool that can read TPMS sensor status? Flashing TPMS light is a sign of a bad sensor that the system can no longer read. Steady light means low pressure. If they are OEM sensors I would say they did real good for battery life. Five to seven years is the design norm for the batteries.

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Tuesday, September 26th, 2017 AT 2:21 AM

T. JOHN

MEMBER
22 POSTS

I do not have a TMPS/SCAN tool. Do you know if they are expensive? I have read and watched videos that could be say one problem. Also, it might be the batteries going bad. If you would not mind would you send me your feed back. Also and do you know about how much each one would be and installing one or more?
Thanks.

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Tuesday, September 26th, 2017 AT 5:01 AM

T. JOHN

MEMBER
22 POSTS

I just thought about this one question. Is it say unwise/harming my truck to wait until say toward this Friday. I work some crazy days/hours.
Thanks again.

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Tuesday, September 26th, 2017 AT 5:22 AM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
12,958 POSTS

As long as you know the tire pressures are good the light is fine to ignore. I know people who put tape over the lights and just ignore it until they replace the tires or decide to sell the car. It is not anything critical.

It was actually put in place in response to Ford/Firestone tire failures. Both parties blamed the other and the government decided that the public must be protected from themselves.

As for the tools, unless you have deep pockets and plan on doing tire work a lot. You can have all four sensors, and the tires replaced for less that the TPMS tool costs.
The one I have was almost $1,000.00, Its current replacement is $900.00.