So recently I powdercoated my wheels. I had to strip the rim naked of weights, center caps, tire, and tpms sensor prior to powdercoating. When I got the rims back from the shop I put my sensors back on( I did it myself so I know its done right). Went to a tire shop and mounted my tires. However, after putting the wheels back on my car, at first 1 of the rear ones didnt register, it showed the default 58psi. however the other 3 were all fine. Couple miles down the road instead of showing that, it just showed the "tpms error" light since it didnt detect the last sensor.
So my question is, what can be wrong? I put the sensors on myself and put everything back on properly. It seems highly coincidental that one of my sensors can break at the same time I get them powdercoated.
When I was releasing some air from the tire I saw that some moisture leaked out of the valve stem. I read that moisture can form from a bad air compressor at the tire shop, and that moisture can possibly prevent the sensor from working properly.
This same shop has mounted many other tires before for my car and I never had issues, so I dont want to accuse them of their air compressor leaking too much water vapors unless Im dead sure of it.
Even so, would taking out the sensor and drying/cleaning it fix the problem?

Or should I just buy a used sensor from ebay? they are only like $20 each

 

i won a bid for a tpms sensor for $15 on ebay...waiting for it to arrive so i can get rid of the light!~

 

i borrowed a wheel from my friend's 06 base TL to try his tpms sensor and it made my light go off. my sensor is arriving tmr so i'll do the swap tmr

 

which sensor did you get. Was it oem?

really don't feel like spending OEM cash on this sensor is a generic one works just fine.

I just got the TPMS system error message last night and I believe its due to me using fix-a-flat on a tire I think might of been leaking small amounts of air.
This was a few days ago though.

 

There is an internal part number that you can use to search for sensors. Many manufacturers use these same TPMS, just different frequencies. Too bad you sold your TPMS to me George! lol.

You can diagnose that TPMS with an HDS tool btw. What was the ambient temperature like when you got them mounted? Possible that the temp dropped and created a build up of dew/moisture in the rim itself. I know sometimes on the very coldest of winter days I will get some TPMS errors.

I've theorized this is because the rims are ice cold until the tires warm up from driving and transfer heat to the rims which in effect creates moisture build up on the inside of the rim. It's a stretch!

 

well I found this

techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/pubs/OM/HH0707/HH0707O00333A.pdf

and it states not to use fix-a-flat because it will damage the TPMS sensor.
damn. Not even a week has gone by that I fixed the ABS, VSA, & /!\ light and now I get this.

 

yeaah i would never put fix a flat in a tire that had a tpms.

 

yeah i got this error right after i sold them to you, but its okay. Since, if I ended up taking 1 of those, I'd have an incomplete set to sell.

I remember it was like a week and half ago on an afternoon. But remember here in socal it never gets that cold so I dont think the weather was the problem. Like I stated before, I think maybe moisture from the air compressor? I dont have enough proof to put the blame on the shop though so I'll take it as my loss this time.

 

I will have 4 going up for sale in a few weeks

 

whats your price sir.

 

Pm'ed