Servicing Toyota TPMS Requires Dedicated Tools

Servicing Toyota TPMS Requires Dedicated Tools

Toyota TPMS might seem like one of the easiest systems to service because most models have a reset button under the dash, but trusting this button to cure all of your TPMS issues might get you in trouble.

Toyota TPMS might seem like one of the easiest systems to service because most models have a reset button under the dash, but trusting this button to cure all of your TPMS issues might get you in trouble.

This button puts the system into learning or initialization mode. The TPMS listens for three minutes or until all of the sensor IDs have been received by the module. The sensor transmits this data once a minute when the vehicle is stationary. If the module does not receive the data from a sensor, the light will continue to flash (eventually staying on) and codes will be set in the tire pressure ECU. The system may even get stuck in a loop during the initialization process while looking for missing sensors.

Unlike other tire pressure monitoring systems that require a poke to the sensor with an activation tool, there is no way to confirm that the sensor is transmitting. After three minutes, it is either pass or fail for all four sensors. A dedicated TPMS tool that can communicate through the OBD II port is needed to further diagnose the system.

Basic Operation

If there is a TPMS problem with a Toyota, check the TPMS warning light in the instrument cluster or “combination meter” before proceeding with further diagnostics. Anytime the vehicle is started, the TPMS light should come on for three seconds and go out as part of a self-diagnostic procedure.

If the light does not come on, there could be an issue with the module or serial data communications. This needs to be addressed before checking other components. You should connect a scan tool to see if the TPMS module data PIDs can be accessed. Make sure you check for codes in the instrument cluster, and pay extra attention to communication codes. The tire pressure ECU communicates with other modules using CAN protocols.

If the light stays on after the three seconds, it is an indication that one of the tires is above or below the inflation threshold. Inflate all four tires to the correct pressure and the light should go out.

If the light flashes in 0.5-second intervals, it means there is a failure in the tire pressure ECU, antenna and/or sensors. It can indicate that a sensor ID is missing or has not been received. After one minute, the TPMS light should be steady.

When the TPMS system is in the initialization mode, the light will flash for one second and turn off for one second. This will stop once all the sensor IDs are received or after three minutes. If the initialization procedure is not successful, code C2177 for “initialization incomplete” will be set in the module.

If there is a problem with one or more of the sensors communicating with the TPMS module during the reset procedure, it could go into a “looping” mode where it locks out the use of the SET button, and the TPMS light will flash and set a code for “lost communication with ECU.”

The system is now stuck in this looping mode, and despite how many times you press the tire pressure reset button or cycle the ignition, the TPMS light will continue to flash. The only way to stop the looping is to connect pins 13 and 4 in the OBD II port with a jumper wire. The better solution is to use a tool that plugs into the connector and internally connects the pins. Some dedicated TPMS tools can perform this reset. And, they can prevent potential damage to the fragile OBD II connector and help you avoid having to crawl into the footwell to make the connection.

Diagnostics and Codes

If you dive into the Toyota TPMS service information, you’ll notice that if there is a problem with the sensors or module, the standard operating procedure is to connect the factory scan tool to the OBD II port to observe the sensor IDs and data. There are no other shortcuts.

Codes are stored by the tire pressure ECU. These codes are like misfire codes with the last digit indicating the sensor ID with the fault. They also operate like misfire codes because it may take multiple incidents to cause a hard code to be set.

These codes cover inflation, missing data and temperature malfunctions. The other codes will cover communication with the other components.

The Toyota Way

When you perform a TPMS relearn on most vehicles, you “poke” the sensors with a radio frequency and force it to transmit. Toyotas do not operate this way — they wait and listen for the IDs. While waiting for the sensor to transmit, the unpredictable can happen. Radio interference from another vehicle or tool in the shop could prevent the signal from reaching the antenna. And, something as simple as a sensor being positioned behind a brake caliper can interfere with the signal.

If you are using a dedicated TPMS scan tool for Toyota relearns, it can poke the sensors so the tool can capture the IDs. Then, those IDs can be injected into the tire pressure ECU. This approach has several advantages. First, a weak or dead sensor can be detected before the relearn procedure. It can also audit the tire pressure. Second, there is no chance for the sensor ID to miss the antenna because you are using a wired connection. Third, you need a tool that connects through the OBD II port to replace a sensor that has a different ID number. You can’t use the reset button.

You May Also Like

The Winter Tire Opportunity – Now Is The Time

Winters tires aren’t just a luxury, it’s your job to tell your customers the positive impact that the tires can give them.

It was a frigid February morning in Chicago last year. The kind of cold that creeps into the depths of your lungs, making it difficult and even a little painful to breathe. The kind of cold that literally takes your breath away. The snow was falling as I stepped into my car and took off across The Chicago Skyway with the city lights in my rear view. It was around Gary, Indiana, that the lake effect snow engulfed Interstate 90 and made it impossible to see the road more than about 15 feet ahead as I made an unwise attempt to pass a massive snowplow in the right lane. And, it was this moment that I understood the difference between an all-season tire and a true winter tire. My life as a “tire guy” would never be the same again.

Diagnosing Audi A8 TPMS Issues

These are all the steps you’ll need to pinpoint fault issues in TPMS for 2009-2016 Audi A8 vehicles.

The Rule of 3X Tire Rotation

Proper rotation procedures maximize tread life and customers coming back.

Communicating The Effectiveness Of TPMS

A good angle to start with may be laying out the consequences of not having a working TPMS.

Servicing Tires With 18-In.-Plus Rims

Servicing any tire and wheel assembly correctly starts with having the right equipment.

Other Posts

TPMS Tools and Sensors

Transform TPMS with advanced diagnostics and sensor programming. This video is sponsored by Bosch.

Autel’s TS900 TPMS Tool

The Autel TS900 shines as a full-service and maintenance tool. Sponsored by Autel.

Turning Off The TPMS Light

If a vehicle comes into your shop with the TPMS light on, there are a few key things to check first for time’s sake.

TPMS Sensor Signals

TPMS sensor signals are low power and low frequency, with most sensors transmitting at 315MHz or 433MHz.