06 LTD - Low pressure sensor

[TowingExplorer]

This is about my 2006 Explorer V8 Limited.

The pressure sensor error message has been coming up on my display for about 4-5 months now. I filled up all the tires (one was around 30psi but the rest were pretty much at spec) and the light still comes on. I went to fill the spare but it would appear the spare valve stem faces upwards and is not accessible without dropping the tire, so I've passed on that for now.

The vehicle is now at the dealer for the parking circuit board recall sent out late last year. I'm also having them flush and fill the transmission and brake fluid as those were inexpensive enough to not be worth my time.

While it's in there, they mentioned the low pressure warning message and asked if I wanted them to fix it. I asked how much and they said minimum 1 hour maintenance of $99 plus whatever the item is to be fixed. I said no thanks as I've been just hitting reset for 4-5 months and don't really care that much about it.

This all being said, I have tow questions.

1. Can I get my computer read at AutoZone to see which sensor tire is the problem?
2. How much are the tire sensors?.. maybe cheap enough to just replace them all?

 

[TowingExplorer]

Just picked up the vehicle from the dealer. Went in to the parts department to check on the cost of a sensor and if they were all the same. The catalog lists 4 sensors and all the same. I asked if this means there isn't one on the spare and the guy behind the counter said that may not be accurate as they typically only include quantity required as the number on the ground at one time.

I went into the service department and asked there. The guy said that Navigators have a separate sensor for the spare and the message says it is the spare, while the other message is just like the one I have and does not specify which tire is at fault.

The price of one sensor is about $120. So for the cost of the estimate from the dealer, I can just get a new sensor and swap it around from tire to tire till its fixed. However, that's still a lot of money just so I don't have to press reset every time I start it up.

Any advice from the forum would be great. Does anyone have one of this generation as a parts vehicle that could sell me one wheel sensor?

 

[waskly]

the sensors are mounted inside the tire onto the rim with a band.

its a pita swapping one around.

did you have a recent flat, tire changed?

 

[Lukas2009]

There are aftermarket sensors that are much cheaper.

 

[Beargap]

The dealer should have a tool that allows going from tire to tire to detect what each sensor is reading and determine the bad one. We had one done on our '08 Mounty and it was pretty straightforward, but expensive. Altogether around $200, but the warranty paid for it.

You can buy a package of 4 brand-new Ford sensors and bands (better bands than Ford uses as these are actually reusable) plus a TPMS programming tool from American Muscle for about $140. They also sell stuff individually if you just need one.

=Vic=

 

[JerryP]

My tire dealer had a tool to check and program the sensors. Still had to gtet a sensor from Ford dealer. It was around 100 bucks but had to pay it. I think the tire dealed damaged the senser, as it started after he replaced tires, but couldn't prove it.

 

[waskly]

The dealer should have a tool that allows going from tire to tire to detect what each sensor is reading and determine the bad one. We had one done on our '08 Mounty and it was pretty straightforward, but expensive. Altogether around $200, but the warranty paid for it.

You can buy a package of 4 brand-new Ford sensors and bands (better bands than Ford uses as these are actually reusable) plus a TPMS programming tool from American Muscle for about $140. They also sell stuff individually if you just need one.

=Vic=

all replacement bands sold at ford are reusable, the back of the sensor bracket also has double side tape to hold it to the rim, and the band to hold it firm to the rim.

only the factory bands are not reusable, the replacement bands have a worm screw on them.

 

[Beargap]

Well, I wouldn't say "all"...my dealer used the same non-replaceable slip band that the factory uses when he replaced the defective sensor on ours. Some dealers are better at finding preferred replacement parts than others, I guess.

=Vic=

 

[waskly]

Well, I wouldn't say "all"...my dealer used the same non-replaceable slip band that the factory uses when he replaced the defective sensor on ours. Some dealers are better at finding preferred replacement parts than others, I guess.

=Vic=

if he replaces the sensor only the band does not need to be changed.

your dealer did not change the band but the sensor on top of it.

and yes all ford replacements bands are screw driven.

the band itself is about 60 bux the sensor about 100 bux. the band does not come with the sensor, nor does the sensor with the band. if you needed a replacement band it would of been a screw type reusable band.

 

[Beargap]

if he replaces the sensor only the band does not need to be changed.

your dealer did not change the band but the sensor on top of it.

and yes all ford replacements bands are screw driven.

the band itself is about 60 bux the sensor about 100 bux. the band does not come with the sensor, nor does the sensor with the band. if you needed a replacement band it would of been a screw type reusable band.

Not meaning to drag a trivial point out further, but no. The problem was with a previous repair where the sensor had been transferred without a band, just stuck to the rim. The sensor failed, possibly from the goop used to attach it in the botched repair. The car was then repaired at a Ford dealership and they installed a new band, which did not appear to be the screw type, and I was standing with the mecahnic as he prepared the new band. The cost for the new fix was about $200, but covered under the selling dealer's warranty. I know what you are referring to, though, which is certainly a better way to go. I installed 4 screw type bands and new Ford Sensors with their peel & stick brackets on new wheels on my Mustang. I just checked and that package is still available (4 Ford-branded sensors, 4 aftermarket screw-type bands, 4 brackets, and a programming tool) from American Muscle for about $150.

=Vic=

 

[waskly]

tpms is not covered under 3/36 or under esp.....

same as tires are not covered by any warranty less a recall is issued.

 

[seannydeez]

Im having the same issue and it's pretty annoying..I hope the new Fords at least let you know on the dash which tire is low instead of just saying one of them is low

 

[TowingExplorer]

the sensors are mounted inside the tire onto the rim with a band.

its a pita swapping one around.

did you have a recent flat, tire changed?

When I bought the 06, the tires were changed shortly before. I've had it now over a year and more than 15k miles and the message did not start until after 10k miles.

I'm not going to pay a $200 minimum to have it fixed. I'll just keep hitting reset.

 

[waskly]

there is a cheap way, its like 20-30 bux at a dealership buy the e series tpms sensor reset tool. then program them.
the one that program is the busted sensor.

 

[TowingExplorer]

there is a cheap way, its like 20-30 bux at a dealership buy the e series tpms sensor reset tool. then program them.
the one that program is the busted sensor.

Those round magnets are also available on eBay for a little less I believe. This only works if the sensor is any good.

 

[waskly]

Those round magnets are also available on eBay for a little less I believe. This only works if the sensor is any good.

magnets only work on the sensors that are on the valve, the valves has a nut. and its all metal its most likely a tpms sensor.

the band type will be inside and magnets dont work on them. the tool does tho.

even cheaper is take some magnets out of tauris transmissions

 

[TowingExplorer]

magnets only work on the sensors that are on the valve, the valves has a nut. and its all metal its most likely a tpms sensor.

the band type will be inside and magnets dont work on them. the tool does tho.

even cheaper is take some magnets out of tauris transmissions

Good info. Can you point me to info about the E Series TPMS sensor reset tool?

 

[waskly]

i just know each new e series comes with one. they should sell replacements.

think its a 1a203 base number most vans come with them but have not seen it not work on a car. its a cheap alternative.

 

[TowingExplorer]

i just know each new e series comes with one. they should sell replacements.

think its a 1a203 base number most vans come with them but have not seen it not work on a car. its a cheap alternative.

Okay, thanks for the info. Now I'm searching to confirm the 1a203 will work on the 06 Explorer.

Found the 1a203 on Amazon sold for $47 (plus shipping, third party) for a start.

 

[Henders]

Spare tire issue

Ford in their mysterious ways decided to install the spare tire with the valve on the inside. I flipped the tire over and had the valve easily accessible with no problems.