tpms sensors

I recently got new tires put on. Before they were actually put on, the shop tested all the sensors and called to inform me one of my tpms sensors was corroded. (My light had been on for about 3 months, all my tire pressures were accurate so this seemed legit). They told me it needed to be replaced but they didn't have any in stock. I asked if this was something that could be done later, they confirmed it was, so I had them put on my new tires. A week later, I brought my vehicle in to have the sensor replaced. When I picked it up, my TPMS light was still on and I was informed that the "Because the other sensors weren't working, the light would remain on". After speaking with the shop manager, he informed me that upon "reprogramming/powering up" it can often times "surge and blow" an older sensor and cause them to fail. I bought my 2006 4Runner used, and don't know if they are the original tpms sensors or not. Certainly if they are, they could stand to be replaced. But the main question is, can what I described above happen, can they be "Blown" upon start up...is this a real thing or could I have been given some bad information?

 

Never heard of that being a thing... but I'd ask them if they would honor buying 3 more new TPMS units and they install them for free since they all worked when you went to the shop, but are not now?

Also, its always a good idea to replace TPMS units if they are 4-5 years old and you are getting new tires. Batteries in them average out around 5 years.

 

Also, confirm they put a 315mhz in and not a 433mhz. Toyota switched broadcast signal from 314.9 to 433 in 2007/08 I believe.

 

The frequency change does not mean that the ECU will read them though. I know they won't on the
Tundra side of the house.

 

The ECU can not read what it is not programmed for. That's why making sure they installed the correct frequency is not part of the problem. Another unrelated issue is programmable TPMS units. They can be programmed for whatever frequency the vehicle calls for. From what i've read they are having a much higher fail rate across the industry than standalone single frequency units. Dont know why, just an issue that's being reported.