Whenever the weather is cold my TPMS sensor sends a tire pressure fault to the dash readout even though the tire pressure is OK. Any ideas on what the problem might be or can I just pull a fuse?

 

You lose air pressure as temperature drops, as the tire heats up, you regain some pressure. What are the tires set at? If its less than 34 when they are "warm" then its def. going to drop a lot more when its cold. Set cold pressure to about 36psi

 

I understand about hot and cold tire pressure changes. I have the pressure set at 32 PSI cold as per the tire pressure label on the door. If the car needs 36 PSI cold why doesn't Ford recommend that amount? Also, the sensor has gone off after driving 20 or 30 miles but only when ambient temp is below 35 deg. I think I'll just have to make a trip to the dealer,as much as I hate that. Thanks for the reply though.

 

Something isn't right. The system is not supposed to go off until the pressure in one or more tires is a few psi less than the door sticker inflation number. No real tech, but I don't think many people have their TPMS go off even if they're 4 or 5 psi low. The TPMS standard mentions "25% below" as the maximum amount low before the TPMS must alert you.

How accurate is the gauge that you were using? Service station air towers were notoriously inaccurate, and I doubt that the newer machines that you have to pay to use are any better (if they're even as good). Even the gauges you buy for yourself vary a bit. I've got three, not counting the ones you read the numbers off the little stick that gets pushed out. Two of those agree within about half a psi most of the time, and the third consistently reads a couple psi higher.

Those 34 and 36 psi numbers may not apply to your tires. I think the 16" base tires may require 35 psi (MVMS document), while the OE 17" and 18" tires only need 32. Maybe somebody who has the 16"-ers or a factory service manual handy (or maybe even an owner's manual) can verify this. Point being that whatever pressure somebody else needs may not be what you need.


Norm

 

If he takes it to the dealer, I guarantee they do 2 things. They will set all 4 tires to 35-36 psi cold, then re-train the sensors... and then ship him. You cant train/activate the sensors on your own, you need a special tool. So if its still under its 3/36 warranty, then take it in and have them do this...

 

thats all good except for the fact that thats not a warrantable defect, just set them to 36 psi and drive it.or go and buy yourself a tpms reset tool, they are only about 30 buck and do it yourself. i will supply you the procedure if required

 

Thanks for all the help guys. I guess I'll go talk to the dealer.^^forcefeed ^^ where can I get that reset tool if needed?

 

You're telling me, a Ford tech, that they wont fix a TPMS light for free if its under warranty? I see atleast 1 or 2 of these a week. Maybe its different in Canada but around here if its under the 3/36 they'll warranty all kinds of stupid stuff

 

if there is a defect with the sensor then it would be under warranty, if the tires are simply low/high on air pressure than thats not Fords problem, perhaps the dealer you work for is absorbing the cost as a service to the customer, but you can be dam sure Ford is not paying, the warranty and policy manual is th same for Canada and USA, we all play by the same rules

white fox part no for th transmitter is 8c2z-1a203-a its 34.00 cdn so thats like 5 us.

 

Thanks for the part #. That was actually me that wanted it. I wasn't trying to open a can of worms here I just thought maybe it was a common problem. The car is under warranty so I guess I'll take it to the dealer.