Caught a flat on the way home & didn't have my wheel locks on me to swap the spare.

Ran into a gas station to grab a can of fix-a-flat since I was almost home & felt I could make it before the tire went totally flat. Made it home, swapped the spare, took the tire in for a patch. All four tire pressures registered fine for 2 days after the patch.

Then, the TPMS error pops up on the dash. Feel like that fix-a-flat destroyed it (as I've done some research) however the can did say it was TPMS-safe. Probably should've just avoided in the first place, I know... I used to use it all the time when I had a beater & didn't know anything; dumb mistake putting it in the TL.

Any suggestions before putting out for a new sensor? My guess is that there was still some chemical residue left which liquified days later & plugged the sensor. Would a valve stem/TPMS rebuild kit help out in this type of situation or is a sensor shot once fix-a-flat gets in it?

 

Yeah it might be clogged with fix a flat shit, that stuff is dangerous... First try taking the TPMS sensor out and cleaning it with something- maybe brake cleaner but I dont know if that would damage it too... try just plain water first. Fix a flat will make you go blind so dont get it in your eyes

 

so will brake cleaner

 

I actually got sprayed straight in the eye with a full blast of brake cleaner and Im fine... it burned like hell but I grabbed the closest non-poison liquid I could find- a snapple- and dumped it in my eye

 

you can try to clean it but you run a BIG risk of shorting out the sensor if it isnt already - if your TPMS light is blinking then most likely the fix-a-flat already shorted it and you need a new sensor

 

lol at snapple. glad your eyes are okay

but yeah, I dont play around hazardous material.
there's a big fat warning for a reason.

 

Check your owner's manual first.

For example, the 2014 TL owner's manual states the following:
"Never use a puncture-repairing agent in a flat tire. If used, you will have to replace the tire pressure sensor".

Info on cleaning the TPMS sensors (using odorless mineral spirits or water) depending on the situation.
http://www.fixaflat.com/faq/

Good article
http://accuratecars.com/blog/2008/08...of-fix-a-flat/

 

Cool...guess I'll just grab a new sensor & make sure the tire & wheel are fully cleaned before mounting.

 

I tend to not put safety glasses on until after I hurt myself, Im dumb