Tire Pressure Monitoring System. What sensors do I need? [Archive]

Ric

12-16-2007, 10:44 AM

Booooooooooo

Bought an 07 Ranger yesterday but wanted to keep my 17" GT's. So I made the switch and left the dealership. 20 minutes or so down the road an idiot light goes off and I'm thinking I have problems already. Pull off and look in the manual. Appears my truck is equipped with the TPMS. The truck ran fine otherwise and it didnt appear to be handicapping me in a way when I drove 200 miles home at more than hiway speeds.

Now my problem is that the rims that were originally on the truck are 200 miles away and I need to know what type of sensor I need to get for these wheels.

Does the Ranger use valve stem units or band units ?

97ranger4x4

12-16-2007, 11:50 AM

I am not sure about the sensors. When my dad got his tahoe, he replaced the rims. The stock ones had the sensor in it to monitor the tire pressure. Now every time he drives his truck the message displays that says check tire pressure. He has to press a button to go betwen the ODO and trips to get rid of it. It doesnt really bother him but it would drive me nuts. Have you called the dealership to ask them about the sensors? You might be able to get a set of them. Who has the stock rims? Can they check them for a sensor or the tires still on it?

Hope this helps, Keith

metalmacguyver

12-16-2007, 12:47 PM

probably gonna be really pricy.

Jason

12-16-2007, 01:46 PM

They are valve stem units and likely over $100 each. Time to drive back and get those sensor out of the wheels.

Ranger5.0

12-16-2007, 02:55 PM

shoulda kept the old rims lol

metalmacguyver

12-16-2007, 05:11 PM

how do they work? are they just a small wireless sensor set up? how is it powered?

F150hybred

12-16-2007, 10:29 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tire_Pressure_Monitoring_System

that should explain things a little better for you. The other thing you can do is talk to your dealer about your issue. I'm sure they would have a solution for you.

Wicked_Sludge

12-17-2007, 12:12 AM

the sensors are battery powered and transmit a radio signal to an on-board receiver.

theres no way to "trick" or turn off the system. you HAVE to install the sensors in your new wheels to make the light go out.

running with the light on wont hurt anything...its just annoying.

i cant believe whoever installed the wheels failed to notice and inform you of the sensors :dntknw:

Sasquatch_Ryda

12-17-2007, 02:34 AM

Ric

12-17-2007, 09:28 AM

If the stock wheels had a metal valve stem they are stem mounted and can be transfered to your new rims, if they had rubber valve stems then they are band mounted. You will have to order 4 new bands for a 17" wheel from ford (about $30 a piece if i remember right) and remove the sensors from the old bands and install them on the new bands. The bands are just like a big hose clamp or CV boot clamp. I can get you part numbers if you need them. (I work at a dealership)

Please do. The bands and the sensors both. If there is a technical sheet that shows where the sensors have to be located that would be very helpful.
If it helps, I'm using 96 split 3 spoke Mustang GT 17" wheels. I've enclosed a picture:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a394/WHITEMX5/4.jpg

I bought my 07 Ranger 8 months used and switched the wheels myself on the vehicles before I left. The dealership I bought the Ranger from was a Chevy dealership, so I can see where they didnt know they existed. I'll be calling them today to see if I can get the sensors from them... probably wont be able to.

Neurotoxin

12-17-2007, 10:38 AM

Tirerack has this page with TPMS's on it http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/categories/tpms.jsp

Ric

12-17-2007, 09:07 PM

How surprising... :annoyed:

They can't find the truck I JUST traded on Saturday. /sigh. :pissedoff: I think they're full of shit and just dont want to pull the wheels off, peel off the tires and remove the sensors. Okay, it's rather obvious.

Looks like I buy a set so I dont have to deal with the light.

Simple_serf

12-17-2007, 09:32 PM

See, that's one of the major turn offs for me buying a new truck. I like the fact that my truck is fairly simple. I don't need a goddamn idiot light telling me to check the tire pressure.

Personally, I would just live with the light, just like how I have lived with the "Door ajar" light for the past 4 years. All I had to do was pull the interior light out. Bed lights were burnt out anyways. or you could always pull the light out of the dash. Unless it has one of htose digital readouts like my parent's 07 taurus.

I wish they would understand that some of us like the old school way of doing things...and that some of us don't like digital readouts on stuff.

Black'03LevelII

12-18-2007, 12:26 AM

I wish they would understand that some of us like the old school way of doing things...and that some of us don't like digital readouts on stuff.

they do this stuff for the same reason Poptarts puts the disclaimer about not leaving the toaster unattended while heating poptarts, it is the whole cover their @$$ theory. :buttkick:

it is unfortunate that todays society is so stupid that we "need" digital read outs and warning lights to remind us to check our tire pressure. :annoyed:

Sasquatch_Ryda

12-18-2007, 02:12 AM

Please do. The bands and the sensors both. If there is a technical sheet that shows where the sensors have to be located that would be very helpful.
If it helps, I'm using 96 split 3 spoke Mustang GT 17" wheels. I've enclosed a picture:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a394/WHITEMX5/4.jpg

I bought my 07 Ranger 8 months used and switched the wheels myself on the vehicles before I left. The dealership I bought the Ranger from was a Chevy dealership, so I can see where they didnt know they existed. I'll be calling them today to see if I can get the sensors from them... probably wont be able to.

I'll try to remember to get you the part numbers for the sensors and bands. You locate the sensors opposite the valve stem on the rim. I'll let you know tomorrow!

Sasquatch_Ryda

12-18-2007, 02:34 PM

Alright, got you some part numbers Ric,

6F2Z.1A193.D is the band for a 17" wheel (retails for $39.04 each CAD)
6F2Z.1A189.A is the sensor itself (retails for $111.27 each CAD)

For a grand total of about $679.40 for everything! Might want to talk to that dealer again about getting the sensors back.

Ric

12-18-2007, 05:03 PM

What's that in USD, about 67.34? hehe.

Seriously, thanks a million bud, it's greatly appreciated.

Neurotoxin

12-18-2007, 05:59 PM

I'm not sure if this might be possible but I know that certain chips can turn off all sorts of stuff on a vehicle now days. Maybe contact a SCT sales rep and maybe you can hook up an excalibrator to shut it off and gain yourself a few extra ponys as well :icon_hornsup:

Sasquatch_Ryda

12-18-2007, 08:02 PM

the factory TPMS system cannot be overridden, by the dealership or anyone else.

Neurotoxin

12-18-2007, 09:17 PM

the factory TPMS system cannot be overridden, by the dealership or anyone else.

Sounds like a challenge to me :)

j/k

Ric

12-18-2007, 10:17 PM

Why trick it? I dont want a rom burn as I want the fuel economy.

Really. The truck runs like it's supposed to. It's top speed is 102 with more to give if it werent for the speed cutoff. The acceleration is still greater than the 3.0 it replaced. If I have to deal with the light, than so be it. There is no smog/safety inspections where I live yet so I can just ignore it.

dangeranger01

12-19-2007, 02:42 PM

Ford generally uses band sensors, I work for Les Schwab Tires, when we switch to a bigger or new wheel we have some big hole clamps, Its no big deal to have a tire store change them. It they are the valve stem then you may need new ones. Were the factory wheels steel or aluminum? if aluminum the stock sensors will work, if steel they have bigger gromets for the stem. Oh, and so every one knows, buy 2008 it is a Federal law that all new vehicles be sold with TPMS....

Sasquatch_Ryda

12-19-2007, 07:56 PM

98ranger4x4

12-24-2007, 06:43 PM

i work at discount tire and we swap sensors all the time, the factory sensors should work just fine with your wheels and i believe they are band sensors so you will need new bands, i would tell the dealership you want your sensors.

Simple_serf

12-25-2007, 10:39 AM

Oh, and so every one knows, buy 2008 it is a Federal law that all new vehicles be sold with TPMS....

One more example of the government feeling as though it must babysit the population... and we all wonder why the population is getting dumber and dumber.

One truck that I occasionally get to play with still has split rims... That was a fun tire change....:eek:

Kdawg532

02-28-2008, 11:28 PM

hey man just cut the wires to the light :icon_rofl:

CanadianRanger

02-29-2008, 05:25 PM

I had the same issue with my '08 when I wanted to put on winter rims. According to the Ford dealer I have the band-type sensors and the sensors are located exactly opposite the valve stems for balancing purposes. Another thing I learned from them was that if they are damaged from changing tires or anyone messing with them, they are not covered under warranty. I also read somewhere they cost approx. $150 each (Canadian).

Although the dealer had no real idea what would happen with the warning light if I switched rims, they said it wouldnt harm anything. So I installed my winter rims and tires (without sensors). My light comes on when I start the truck and blinks a few times then stay on. But this only lasts for a few days, then it goes out for almost 2 weeks. After that the cycles starts over again, leading me to think that it works with ignition cycles or starts. I have just learned to live with having to look at the warning light for 2 or 3 days at a time. No biggie, winter is almost over and my stock rims will be back on.

Hope this helps.

Wicked_Sludge

02-29-2008, 08:00 PM

youll have to have a ford dealer recalibrate the system after you install your summer wheels.

if you really wanted to, you could buy a second set of sensors for your winter wheels, then you'd just have to swing by the dealer when you switched in the fall and spring (it only takes a matter of minutes to reset the system, and most dealers will do it for free). but then again, those sensors arent very cheap...

CanadianRanger

03-01-2008, 12:15 AM

Yea, I asked the dealer about recalibrating. They said:

"You might have to come in to have them trained, but then again you might not. It might pick up the sensors on it's own." (real informative)

Anyway, I work at a Tech College, and I'm pretty sure they have the "re-training" tool in the automotive dept. They printed off a Shop Manual for me, with all the info regarding the TPMS.

Wicked_Sludge

03-03-2008, 06:06 PM

the tool ford uses is a unique ford service tool (read: spendy). i would be surprised if your class has the right tool....but its not impossible.

the system might pick up the sensors on its own...but they usually dont. you'll know by the time you drive from wherever you swap the tires at to the dealer.