What does tire pressure sensor fault mean and how to fix it are two critical questions that several vehicle owners have, and the first thing to know here is that this fault occurs due to the vehicle picking up something wrong in the tire pressure monitoring system. This might mean that something is wrong with either the sensor’s connection or the sensor itself.
There can be several things at the root of this warning, and, to fix the problem, you will first need to identify what exactly is causing it. That being said, we will look at what could be wrong with the TPMS and how you can fix it promptly in the following sections!
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How Can You Know Why You See “Tire Pressure Sensor Fault”?
You can know why you see “tire pressure sensor fault” if the relevant sensor needs to be reset or due to issues in the sensor system. If you have changed your wheels or have problems with the tire pressure, this error will generally show up.
– Problems in the Sensor
You could see the “tire pressure sensor fault” when there are problems with the sensor itself. This message mostly appears at the time when there is a faulty tire pressure sensor present in your car. You can find tire pressure sensors in the tires of your vehicle. It is also important to remember that they have batteries present in them.
The batteries only last for a short time. After around two to three years, the sensors may run out of batteries. When this happens, you must replace the entire sensor to get them to work correctly again.
– Sensor Requiring a Reset
This message could appear when the tire pressure sensors and control module cannot communicate with one another accordingly.
In that case, you can solve it by reprogramming the sensors. To reprogram them, you need to have a TPMS reset tool.
This tool will allow you to reprogram the sensors of your car accurately. Once you have reprogrammed them, you can expect your issue to be solved, as the tire pressure sensors and control module will be able to communicate with one another again.
– After Changing Wheels
If you are living in a place with a cold climate, it is most likely that you will have to change the summer and winter tires. It is important to remember that after you change the car wheels, you have to reset the TPMS at once. Not many people know this, but it is crucial to reset the TPMS.
On the other hand, if the car in question was never equipped with these tires, you will have to program the sensors to your vehicle. You may see the error message after you are done changing the car tire. When this happens, it may be because you have to program the sensors in your car.
– Issues With Tire Pressure
In most car models, the tire pressure fault light will mean a lack of tire pressure in your car. It is easy for the tires of the vehicle to be inflated. However, if you need to learn how to do it, you can get it done. To do so, you can go to any nearby fuel station or workshop and get the problem fixed.
On the other hand, if you are doing it yourself, you have to be careful during the process. It is important to remember not to pressurize your car tires excessively. If the pressure is too high, it can cause the mentioned fault light to flicker on at once. You have to ensure that the pressure is perfect and neither too little nor too much.
How Do You Fix Your Car’s “Tire Pressure Sensor Fault” Message?
You can fix your car’s “tire pressure sensor fault” message by ensuring adequate tire pressure. You should also consider resetting the sensor system, reprogramming the sensors, or replacing the entire sensor. Consider seeing a mechanic if none of the solutions seem to work out.
– Ensuring Adequate Tire Pressure
To fix the appearance of the error, ensure adequate tire pressure. To begin the procedure, first you have to go over all of your tires and ensure they all have the accurate tire pressure present. When checking the tire pressure, you can do this by using a tire pressure gauge to help do it.
It is crucial to find the correct pressure that has to be present. You can find it by checking the tire pressure label. The mentioned label can also be found behind the driver’s door on the body. If it is not there, it is possible that it is in your car’s repair manual.
– Resetting the System
After inflating your car tires and bringing them to the accurate pressure, you can move on to the next step. For the next step, you will have to reset the car system. You must be aware that some of the car models do have a reset button.
However, for some of the cars, you can only drive for around fifteen to twenty minutes, and after that, the car lights go out on their own. When this happens, it is not safe for your car. In this case, it is best to check your repair manual.
After you look through it, you will find the right way to reset the TPMS system on your car. On the other hand, for some of the other vehicles, you cannot do the same. You need the precise tool to help you to reset it at once.
– Reading Error Codes To Find the Exact Issue
Now, if the issue is not solved and the error continues to occur, you will have to look through the error codes. You must read the complete TPMS system to see the error codes correctly. The issue could be any communication error with any of your sensors.
If not, it is also possible that one of the sensors is broken or damaged. To know what is wrong, you must use the right tool to help you figure it out. It is imperative to remember that if you are looking for ways to read the TPMS control module, you have to get a diagnostic scanner. It will allow you to understand the error codes without any difficulties.
– Reprogramming Sensors
At times, the tire pressure sensors of your car can lose communication or even the programming values of the TPMS control module. Whenever this happens, you need to reprogram all of the sensors present. They have to be reprogrammed to the control module in the car.
You can do this by using a TPMS reset tool. However, you have to ensure that it is of good quality so that it does its task accordingly. Once again, the device will help you reprogram the sensors and make them communicate appropriately with the TPMS control module.
– Replacing the Sensor Yourself
Now, if you have applied all methods and the problem still occurs, it would mean that you have a malfunctioning tire pressure present in your car. In that case, you can try out this method. For it, you have to replace the sensor on your own. To start the procedure, you must go over and check the trouble codes.
It is essential to do this to know which of the sensors need replacement. After you have found the sensor, you can move on to replacing it simultaneously. When you return the sensors, you have to do it correctly and ensure that you do not damage any of the car’s components while doing so.
It is also vital that you remember to reprogram the sensors after you have successfully replaced them. If you remember to do this, all your work could be used wisely.
– Going to a Mechanic
Remember that it is not easy when replacing a tire pressure sensor on your own. These sensors are positioned in the tire and can be difficult to access. You have to remove the whole tire to reach the sensors to get to them. It is imperative to remember that if you do not have experience in this field, you could badly damage the sensors or the car’s tire.
Moreover, if you do not use the right tools during the procedure, it will also cause plenty of damage. In this case, it is only best if you have the accurate tools and the experience needed for this work when you are doing it on your own. However, if you go to a mechanic to fix your faulty sensor, it will not cost you a lot. You will have to pay approximately five hundred dollars at most.
However, the issue could be fixed for free if there is a small problem and only a low tire pressure. You must pay to get your work done if there is a faulty tire sensor. The same thing goes for if there is any electrical fault in your car that needs a lot of effort to be fixed.
Conclusion
From the precise reasons behind this error as well as the proper measures you can take to avoid it from showing up in the future, we have covered everything you would need to know in our article. Some of the critical points are put below for the sake of revision:
- When there is any problem within the car’s tire pressure monitoring system or the related sensor, you will see the “tire pressure sensor fault” on your vehicle’s dashboard.
- To fix this error, you must first ensure that the tire pressure is at a proper level.
- It also helps reprogram the relevant sensors or reset the entire sensor system.
- You can also replace the sensor itself.
- If the given techniques don’t seem to bear any results, you should consider getting a professional to look at them.
This problem is one of the most common ones faced by drivers, and it can be fixed with relative ease if you have the proper instructions to follow, even when you are unfamiliar with car mechanics. We are confident that, after studying our detailed how-to guide and the given methods, you can fix this issue without delay!
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