Tire pressure monitoring system

Tiny
HWELLENS
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 27,000 MILES
My tire pressure light keeps coming on. No tires are below specified pressure. Dealer tells me that the indicator light comes on when differential pressure is noted not low pressure as stated in the owners manual. The pressures are within 2 psi at all times. Dealer also stated that the pressures are read and it is not linked to the ABS that looks at tire revolutions. Is the system working correctly? Is the dealer correct? Is the tolerance on monitoring system too tight?
Monday, January 12th, 2009 AT 8:50 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Hello,

You probably have a tire pressure sensor that is not working here is how you find out which one with diagrams below to how to fix the problem.

TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR (TPM) SYSTEM

The Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system is designed to provide warning when tire inflation pressure of one or more tires (including spare tire) is low.
A tire pressure monitor valve sub-assembly containing a tire pressure sensor/transmitter is installed in each tire/wheel assembly. The sensor measures the internal tire pressure and temperature.
These measured values and transmitter ID(s) are transmitted to the tire pressure monitor receiver assembly on the body via radio waves.
This data is then sent to the tire pressure monitor ECU from the tire pressure monitor receiver.
If the transmitter ID has been previously registered, the ECU compares the measured air pressure value and the standard value.
When the value is less than the standard value registered in the tire pressure monitor ECU, the tire pressure warning light on the instrument cluster will turn on.
To accommodate the need to change the standard values recorded in the ECU when changes in operating conditions occur, or a different type of tire is installed, a tire pressure warning reset switch is provided. When activated, the current pressure values are stored in the ECU as the new standard values.

TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR WARNING LIGHT

When the tire pressure warning light does not go off, or when it comes on during driving, check tire pressure (including spare tire) and adjust as necessary. The warning light should go out within a few minutes.
If the warning light is still on even though the tire pressure is correctly adjusted, the tire could be punctured. Repair as necessary.
If the warning light is still on or blinks, after investigating all of the above, there is a malfunction in the TPM system. See appropriate manufacturer service information.
Under the following conditions, the system may not function properly:
Facilities or devices that use similar radio wave frequencies are located in the vicinity of the vehicle.
A radio device of similar frequency is used near the vehicle.
A large amount of snow or ice is stuck to the vehicle, especially around the wheels or wheel housings.
A tire without a tire pressure sensor is used.
Snow tires or tire chains are used.
The battery of the sensor has been depleted.
Wheels other than manufacturer factory wheels are used. If any wheels other than those specified are used, the system may not function properly because radio wave transmission from the tire pressure sensors may be affected.
Radio transmission from the air pressure sensor installed on the spare tire is not being received. This may be rectified by changing the orientation of the spare.
Depending on the tire type, the system may not function properly even though the specified wheels are used.

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Tuesday, January 13th, 2009 AT 5:46 PM
Tiny
CORFAM84
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2007 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 16,600 MILES
Had my tires rotated and balanced at Sears. The next day my tire sensor went on. Went back to Sears and they said nothing was wrong. Went to the toyota dealership and they said a sensor was broken and fixed it and they said a sensor can be broken by what sears did. Took bill to Sears and they said there was no way they could break it by rotating and balancing my tires. Who should I believe?
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Monday, April 1st, 2019 AT 11:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Sensors can break when tires are rotated. They also can get out of whack do to the tire position. Did the dealer give you the old part? To show where it was bad if at all? The dealer may have just redone the computer to align the sensors to the correct position.
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Monday, April 1st, 2019 AT 11:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAN AUTHIER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I saw that your car is a 2007 and I didn't see where anyone ask if the sensor batteries / sensors themselves have ever been replaced. Wheel speed sensor batteries last on average from 5 to 7 years, 10 at the longest. With that said your vehicles should have been replaced once, if not twice or more. I would have them tested to be sure they are transmitting properly if that hasn't been done yet. Should be a reasonably priced test.
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Thursday, July 8th, 2021 AT 2:02 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
This is great info. However this post is pretty old so I doubt they will benefit from this info but others in the future surely will.

Not only a sensor issue but this is likely a module issue as well. The receiver that picks up these sensor signals often gets corroded and damaged.

I attached the info below on this in case someone else needs this in the future.

Thanks for using 2CarPros. Please let us know if we can help you in the future. Thanks
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Saturday, July 10th, 2021 AT 8:51 PM
Tiny
DAN AUTHIER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hi Kasekenny1,

Thank you. I did see it was an older post, but like you I was posting more for future researchers. Thank you for adding the information about the module, I should have included that as well, great information that I'm sure will help a lot of people.
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Wednesday, July 14th, 2021 AT 12:14 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Not a problem.

Let us know if you ever need some help as well and we will see what we can figure out.

Thank you.
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Wednesday, July 14th, 2021 AT 4:06 PM

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