Tire pressure sensor problem - Diesel Forum

squamishF350 · 05-08-2009, 11:50 AM

Hi guys I recently picked up a new 2009 F350 crew cab long box, so far I love the truck but last night the tire pressure monitoring system came up with a malfunction the light will flash for about 30 seconds or so and then stays on I did change the tires and rims but they were changed with orininal ford rims with the sensors on them they worked fine for about 50 km's or so and then the code came up does anyone know what I can do to fix it or should I bring it to the dealer since it is under warranty the other thing is that I feel like I dont really need the tire pressure monitor any way and wouldn't mind getting rid of it all together but I also dont want the light on the dash to stay on all the time.

smotrs · 05-08-2009, 03:20 PM

Look on the inside of the drivers door for the Tire Size and Pressure sticker. The PSI printed on the sticker is what the trucks computers is programmed to monitor. If your tires are not rated for this pressure, then your stuck with the light and message on the display.

If your tires are rated for the printed PSI, then you have an issue either one of the tires is low or high or somethings wrong with the sensor(s) in the tire(s).

squamishF350 · 05-08-2009, 04:42 PM

Thanks thats what I figured I looked at the inside of the door so the sticker says 85 for the rears and 65 for the fronts and I run all my tires at 60 sounds like I'm stuck with the light unless I bump the pressure to 85 or remove the bulb, has anyone done this or will it throw more codes if I try to do that?

GrampyJim · 05-09-2009, 06:16 AM

That your TPMS light flashes and then remains on indicates a sensor/system concern.... You say that the wheels were swapped.... Are the sensors installed on the truck appropriate? Are the sensors on the truck trained to the SJB?

Fwiw... if you remove the bulb from the warning indicator, you will still get message centre warnings... along with a warning chime that will indicate that the TPMS warning light isn't working....

TPMS systems are a federally mandated requirement at this time. Don't shoot... I am only a messenger...

Bigshow · 05-09-2009, 11:21 AM

There is nothing wrong with a TPMS; however, the pressure at which the warning triggers must be user adjustable >> there is such a tire pressure difference running loaded vs empty to maximize ride, tire wear, and load carrying capacity!

TomB985 · 05-09-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigshow

There is nothing wrong with a TPMS; however, the pressure at which the warning triggers must be user adjustable >> there is such a tire pressure difference running loaded vs empty to maximize ride, tire wear, and load carrying capacity!

It'd never fly, though. You'd always have that idiot trying to reduce pressures to 25 PSI or so, trying to get his truck to ride like the sedan he probably should be driving...only to cause tire failure, a bad accident, and a multi-million dollar lawsuit because his federally mandated TPMS didn't notify him of a problem.

I agree, lower pressures while unloaded would make a lot of sense, but remember you'll NEVER have catastrophic tire failure caused by the recommended pressure. However, if loaded down you very well can have catastrophic failure even at 50 or 60 PSI...so the auto manufacturers are hedging their bets that they'd rather see someone unsatisfied with a rough ride than suing them in court over an accident...

squamishF350 · 05-11-2009, 12:26 AM

Hi guys thanks for all the info sounds like im stuck with the light I've talked to a few ford dealers in my area and they all seem to think that I just need to use the little tool in the glove box, hold it against the tire, push the red button and my issue will be majically solved however I explained my issue to the guy that I bought the truck from and he told me to swing by the shop tomorrow and he'll have his tech guy put the computer on it and we'll see from there, I'm also gonna check with my tire guy and see what I can safetly run the tires that I got on there now at ill keep you guys posted

smotrs · 05-11-2009, 10:02 AM

If only it was that easy.

The little tool won't resolve the problem. The only thing it would do is temporarily remove the light/message. The main purpose of the tool is to tell the computer where each tire is after tire rotation so that the computer can sync with which tire sensors to monitor.

squamishF350 · 05-12-2009, 01:11 PM

Well guys I went to my local ford dealer yesterday and he told me the same thing apperantly the trucks computer cannot be recalibrated for lower tire pressures so I guess I'll be removing the bulb from the dash at some point soon has any one else done this or tried anything else that might work what if all the sensors were removed would that do anything?

smotrs · 05-12-2009, 01:24 PM

I cutout a little circle of black electric tape and placed it over the icon. From my POV I don't even see it so it's not a glaring orange light staring at me. From the passengers POV they can see it behind the tape. But who cares about passengers?

**COBRAJET** · 05-12-2009, 10:47 PM

How sensitive is the system? Will it run 65 up front and 70 in the rears without tripping the light?

smotrs · 05-12-2009, 11:08 PM

Cobra, unsure exactly, I've heard that if it's as much as a 10% difference that it will trip the warning/light. Whether that's true, I don't know. My recommendation, try it and find out. Trial and error and you may find what the limit is for your truck. Just don't damage your tires in the process.

Jerry Miller · 05-13-2009, 12:43 AM

So, I have a dumb question, since I might be getting an 08 or 09 soon. If you run aftermarket wheels and larger tires that require a different pressure will any of these codes show up on an OBD-II test, or is it strictly on the message center? I know some states during OBD-II testing will fail a car for any code....emission related or not!!! Keeping my old truck is looking better......
Jerry

smotrs · 05-13-2009, 01:12 AM

That, I don't know. I have had the light and message since I got the truck. Have hooked up an aftermarket OBDII reader and show no codes thrown at all. I have seen codes on the reader, just nothing related to the TPMS.

That's not to say that if Ford didn't hook it up it wouldn't show on theirs. Just don't know for sure.

Jerry Miller · 05-13-2009, 01:17 AM

I wonder if instead of trying to recalibate the truck's computer to allow a lower PSI......how about modifying the actual sensors in the wheels. It's a radio frequency right? So if you could get it to generate the same frequency, but at a lower pressure, the damn computer would be happy. This may actually be easier, at least from the standpoint of someone with only basic electronic skills. Someone would have to take apart a sensor to see what all is inside.
Jerry