Inspection and Verification
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Inspection and Verification
1. The following items are critical information regarding the TPMS and its components. Keep the following items in mind when diagnosing any TPMS related issue:
- The tire pressure sensors are not designed to be used with aftermarket wheels. The use of run-flat tires (tires with steel body cord plies in the tire sidewall) that are not originally equipped, may block the TPMS system signal and is therefore not recommended.
- The valve-mounted TPMS sensors and the strap-mounted TPMS sensors are not compatible. Swapping wheels from 1 vehicle to another with the different systems will cause the system to set a fault.
- Non-OEM modifications made to the vehicle may result in false TPMS warnings.
- Swapping wheels on vehicles with the same TPMS sensors will set a fault if the sensors are not trained. Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Sensor Training Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Sensor Training.
- The air pressure calibrations in the TPMS/VSM for the system cannot be changed to use lower pressure tires than those originally designed and tested for a particular vehicle. If tires are changed to a lower pressure, the TPMS indicator will remain illuminated until the vehicle meets the original air pressure requirements.
- Certain non-OEM electronic equipment may cause false TPMS warnings. Information from the owner concerning the types of equipment that has been added or may have been in use when the TPMS concern was identified may be necessary to diagnose the vehicle.
- It may be necessary to disconnect any electronic add-on equipment to verify its impact on TPMS operation. For extremely difficult or intermittent cases, it may be necessary to ask the customer to provide portable electronic equipment to verify its impact on the system.
2. Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanical or electrical damage.
Visual Inspection Chart
3. If an obvious cause for an observed or reported concern is found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next step.
4. NOTE: Make sure to use the latest scan tool software release.
If the cause is not visually evident, connect the scan tool to the Data Link Connector (DLC).
5. NOTE: The Vehicle Communication Module (VCM) LED prove out confirms power and ground from the DLC are provided to the VCM.
If the scan tool does not communicate with the VCM:
- check the VCM connection to the vehicle.
- check the scan tool connection to the VCM.
- refer to Information Bus, No Power To The Scan Tool, to diagnose no power to the scan tool.
6. If the scan tool does not communicate with the vehicle:
- verify the ignition is ON.
- verify the scan tool operation with a known good vehicle.
- refer to Information Bus to diagnose no response from the PCM.
7. Carry out the network test.
- If the scan tool responds with no communication for one or more modules, refer to Information Bus.
- If the network test passes, retrieve and record Continuous Memory Diagnostic Trouble Codes (CMDTCs).
8. Clear the CMDTCs and carry out the self-test diagnostics for the TPMS module.
9. If the DTCs retrieved are related to the concern, go to the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) DTC Chart. For all other DTCs, refer to the Master DTC Chart in Body Control Systems. Diagnostic Trouble Code Tests and Associated Procedures Testing and Inspection
10. If no DTCs related to the concern are retrieved, GO to Symptom Chart. Symptom Related Diagnostic Procedures