TPMS, Tire Sensor Fault

[TowingExplorer]

I've had a Tire Sensor Fault message on my Explorer for over a year now. I simply reset it each time I get in and visually check my tires.

Anyway, as I can change my own tires now since I obtained a dynamic spin balancer, I am considering fixing this issue.

I had one tire go low 6 months ago and trip the low pressure message. I filled it and just the fault message remained. Do you think it makes sense to lower the pressure in each tire until the low pressure message does not appear to isolate which wheel is at fault?

Looks like I would need the tool 204-363. Does anyone know its cost?

 

[Ronin8002]

Just get a TPMS magnet like this:

http://www.amazon.com/OTC-3833-4-Pr...FEKK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323104789&sr=8-1

or a large magnet from an old speaker. It should also work as long as its strong enough.

Once you have one of those, inflate all your tires to the correct PSI then perform the TPMS retrain procedure. Whichever sensor doesn't respond is the bad one.

You can get a good inexpensive replacement sensor from Rockauto.com. I bought 2 just to have an extra lying around in case.

The below link has some great information on how the sensors differ between year/makes/models of Fords and covers inspection, installation, and programming:

http://www.fordtechservice.dealerconnection.com/vdirs/servicetips/pdf/TPMS_JobAid_102010.pdf

 

[TowingExplorer]

Just get a TPMS magnet like this:

http://www.amazon.com/OTC-3833-4-Pr...FEKK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323104789&sr=8-1

or a large magnet from an old speaker. It should also work as long as its strong enough.

Once you have one of those, inflate all your tires to the correct PSI then perform the TPMS retrain procedure. Whichever sensor doesn't respond is the bad one.

You can get a good inexpensive replacement sensor from Rockauto.com. I bought 2 just to have an extra lying around in case.

The below link has some great information on how the sensors differ between year/makes/models of Fords and covers inspection, installation, and programming:

http://www.fordtechservice.dealerconnection.com/vdirs/servicetips/pdf/TPMS_JobAid_102010.pdf

From Rock Auto, did you get TPM39 or one of the others?

Do you think I will need to replace the band as well or just the sensor?

 

[Ronin8002]

Mine aren't the banded type on my 04...they mount right underneath the valve stem so you don't have to deal with a band.

Apparently you can replace your banded ones to the non-banded, "under the valvestem" type. Not 100% sure if you can mix and match types but I don't see why not since they all transmit on the same frequency anyway...the only difference should be where you need to position the magnet to program them.

for the under the valvestem type you can get the Orange Electronics brand part number LE6L2T:

http://www.orangetpmsusa.com/?page_id=214

I got mine from Amazon...looks like you can get that part number at Amazon also for a good price:

http://www.amazon.com/Orange-Electr...B2M6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323106706&sr=8-1

 

[TowingExplorer]

Mine aren't the banded type on my 04...they mount right underneath the valve stem so you don't have to deal with a band.

Apparently you can replace your banded ones to the non-banded, "under the valvestem" type. Not 100% sure if you can mix and match types but I don't see why not since they all transmit on the same frequency anyway...the only difference should be where you need to position the magnet to program them.

for the under the valvestem type you can get the Orange Electronics brand part number LE6L2T:

http://www.orangetpmsusa.com/?page_id=214

I got mine from Amazon...looks like you can get that part number at Amazon also for a good price:

http://www.amazon.com/Orange-Electr...B2M6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323106706&sr=8-1

Thanks Ronin. So I understand correctly, you are suggesting that either can potentially be reprogrammed using a the back of a vehicle speaker?

I'll start with the reprogramming sequence to narrow down the wheel. If the front left is the problem, that may stall my diagnosis since I won't get any response from the system.

 

[Ronin8002]

Thanks Ronin. So I understand correctly, you are suggesting that either can potentially be reprogrammed using a the back of a vehicle speaker?

I'll start with the reprogramming sequence to narrow down the wheel. If the front left is the problem, that may stall my diagnosis since I won't get any response from the system.

Yes any large magnet will work. The OTC tool is about 2" in diameter...it just makes it easier to train the sensors that are behind valve stems, because the tool has a hole in the middle and you can slip it over the stem to make it sit very close to the rim.