maskedferret

iTrader: (1)

217 posts with "TPMS" in the thread title; this makes 218. Bear with me, because I have many concerns about my situation and what to do about it. Cliffs Notes at the bottom.

First to set the stage: 1500 miles after getting my car bone stock I got a set of AvonTech tires swapped onto my OEM wheels for the winter. Just 2 weeks ago (about 15000 miles on the car now) I bought a set of SSR Comp-H wheels & TPMS modules from The TireRack and had them sent to the local preferred installer - NTB (National Tire & Battery). I had my stock Potenzas in the garage for about 6 months which I brought in for them to mount and install.

I notice over the next week that often - not always - after ~10 minutes of driving the TPMS light would blink at slow intervals; no audible beeps. This means one or more of the modules is malfunctioning according to the manual. I have checked tire pressures immediately after the light starts blinking, and noticed warm pressures to be between 34-36psi, and I have been religiously checking cold psi at 32 all around.

NOTE: my OEM wheels with the A/S tires NEVER tripped the TPMS system!

I have done the reset procedure to the letter to no avail. I have also gone back to NTB last week, and they checked and "reinitialized" all 4 modules with some sort of electro-magnetic tool. They told me to drive for ~20 miles and they should recalibrate. Since then, I have tried doing the reset procedure again after the 20 miles and then some with no change. I have also called TireRack last Monday for recommendations on what to do; they advised that I should do the reset procedure 30 feet away from any other possible modules, as they might interfere; I did that the following night at work in an empty parking lot with no luck as well. I am now out of options, and am convinced that at least one module is bad. I went back to NTB asking them what could be done. NTB tells me I need to talk to The TireRack about getting replacement ones. They are unsure if they can reinstall replacement modules without additional charges!

Now, I haven't spoken to The TireRack to commit to getting replacements yet because I wanted to run this by the forum. I personally do not think NTB charging me again for reinstalling new TPMS because the original ones failed is exactly fair to me. I understand there is a slight complication being there are 2 business parties involved... but NTB is a "preferred installer", and the way I see it, there are 3 possibilities of what happened: one or more modules were DoA, NTB damaged one or more of the modules installing, or they were somehow not installed properly.

I feel someone is at fault here and it is not me; what are your takes on this? Maybe there is something else I am overlooking with the modules? Is there something else I can try or have done by NTB that might fix the problem?
===

Cliffs Notes:
1. Bought new wheels w/ TPMS from TireRack & sent to local shop to install.
2. Wheels installed with OEM (garaged for 6 months) tires on car.
2a.OEM wheels w/ A/S tires never had TPMS issues!
3. TPMS light blinks after ~10 minutes driving; tire pressures verified good.
4. Reset & reinitialization done repeatedly by me and NTB with no effect
5. NTB advises to talk to TireRack to possibly get replacements
5a.NTB *might* charge for additional install to replace probable faulty modules
6. ...
7. Profit? (or not lose another $125?)

Feras

iTrader: (1)

sounds like the sensor died on ya, unfortunately dunno if someone can be blamed for that

maskedferret

iTrader: (1)

Well, the way I see it is that both companies typically offer some sort of guarantee on their products/services. The TireRack has a 30 day general return policy, and I am still trying to interpret NTBs warranty, but I would think it to be safe to assume that services would have at least a 14 day warranty; hopefully 30. Considering NTB is a "preferred installer", there is some sort of partnership between them regarding these transactions.

I only provided the tires, which I do not see as being able to cause a permanent malfunction in the modules. As far as placing blame, that's not the exactly the point. The point I have is that within a short period of time the product(s) failure, and one party may intend to "double dip", and charge for another install of which there should be some sort of product warranty / service guarantee to keep this from happening. I would really prefer for there to be a bona fide fix for the modules and not have to go that route at all.

Feras

iTrader: (1)

they prolly broke it at ntb i think, i installed my tpms on my new wheels myself before i had the tires put on, and if you aren't careful you can snap or break something when installing the wheels, go to NTB

maskedferret

iTrader: (1)

NTB told me to talk to TireRack.

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

i think the best you can hope for on this is that tire rack will get you a replacement for the one that died but probably won't cover the cost of the installation (x2). i feel you though b/c i bought some TPMS from someone here and one of them was dead. your situation probably has you more upset b/c you bought new from tire rack but i still feel you.

maskedferret

iTrader: (1)

How will I know which one is bad? I wouldn't think the TPMS system would be able to discern which is which. I would assume NTB would have to use their doohickey-thingamabob to find out; however, last time they used it they claimed they reset them successfully - I sat there and watched! I'm gonna call up The TireRack tomorrow and see what can be done.

NTB asked if I purchased any sort of service warranty or alignment, which I did not. All they said is "we'll see", after I talk to The TireRack (assuming I get a new set of modules sent to the store). Warm fuzzies are lacking. It'd be nice if there could be some sort of middle ground we could reach; I'd pay for an alignment if they won't charge me again. If they don't give any sort of concession, then I am through with them.

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

check your tire pressure on all of them. i figured out which was bad on mine b/c the one that wasn't working was also losing air. i didn't realize it until it was about 10 lbs. low since it happened pretty quickly. it might not help you ID yours but worth a shot.

maskedferret

iTrader: (1)

What if there might be the possibility of a VERY SLOW leak in the tires? something to the tune of ~1-2psi a day? I checked tire pressure just now cold @ 30 all around. Would such a leak be enough to cause the system to report a malfunction? I just flipped the ignition on/off to try another reset on my way home; I'm stopping by the gas station on my way out.

maskedferret

iTrader: (1)

No luck again; went straight to Shell after work and filled all tires to 32psi. Just before I got on the highway the light started blinking again. Checked pressures when I got home; all between 34-35psi. I hope The TireRack doesn't want me to return these modules first before sending new ones; that's just going to make things more difficult