Tire Pressure Warning Light - Dead Sensor..

Does anybody have a photo of the Tire Pressure Reset button?

I talked to the Toyota Service Center and she was telling that it is at the base of the steering wheel.

I can't find it yet. Any photo would help me. I have a 2010 Prius. Made in NOV 09.

 

You will need to get down on your knees outside of the car to find this button. Follow the steering wheel column down to the bottom of the dash covers. At the base of the column you will find the OBD-II connector. Just to the right of this connector you will find the black TPMS reset button. It is right about where your right knee would be when driving.

 

I definitely think it is time they replaced all 4 sensors, they could all have weak batteries if they came from the same batch at the factory, which they probably did.

If that doesn't solve the problem they should replace the unit in the car that monitors the sensors, it may have a weak receiver or some other problem.

If they refuse you should investigate lemon laws and other remedies your state may offer, start with the state attorney general's office. I do not believe at this point that would be overreacting. The TPMS is a safety system and you should stress that point, if it's continuously in alarm it can't warn you of a low tire. It may also be time to file a report with the NHSTA, they are interested in safety related items. Even though many of us on this site do not like the TPMS and would be happy to be rid of the things your best course is probably to approach this as a safety related defect. Be sure to call Toyota and create a case number and let them know what is going on if you haven't already done so.

 

As a dedicated disbeliever in the value of TPMS, there is a side of me that simply sees this as one more piece of evidence about why this whole business is such a lousy idea.

On the other hand, I also see this as a test of whether Toyota and its dealer body can / will solve problems, in the real world, on the ground, any better than some of the more miserable examples in the current new car galaxy, e.g. VW, for instance. My personal experience is mixed in this regard, and so far my extensive Toyota history has revealed little because these cars haven't needed a lot of problems solved. One of the reasons I'm driving a Prius instead of a VW diesel is that American VW dealers have shown a remarkable tendency to be unable to diagnose and fix the most common problems that come up in their new cars. This TPMS issue will be an interesting, if minor, case study to see if Toyota can do any better.

 

Update on my flashing tpwl. I finally got it into the dealer today. I was gettin an oil change and I mentioned it to the service guy. He said it was a faulty sensor and they would replace it. After waiting he comes back with the reciept of what they did and explained that sometimes the sensors can "fall asleep" if not reset in awhile. They used a magnet to "wake it up" and said it should be fine now. Ill report back after driving for awhile to see how it works.

 

Welp, it only took a day and the tpwl came back flashing again. Guess it's back to the dealership.

 

Out of curiosity, what is the purpose of the TPMS' per tire "ID" signatures, as the tires' pressures are treated collectively? As far as I know, one cannot even tell which tire's pressure is low if it should become so.

Marshal

 

To make sure that the system reports the pressures from your car's tires, not from the next one over in a parking lot?

 

Sounds right.

It's a shame that there, apparently, has been no provision made for displaying the temperature corrected tire pressure for each wheel.

Marshal

 

This could also be a faulty TPMS sensor.

I currently drive a HyHi (3GIV is on order and due to arrive August end). Just yesterday I had a ! inside the triangle + the low tire warning symbol illuminate (cross section of a tire with a ! inside).

My HyHi has the center MFD above the NAV screen and one of the screens shows the tire pressure of all 5 tires - just not WHICH tire is WHAT pressure. The offending tire pressure was "27" (the MFD also notes that the tire pressures should be "33").

The TPMS sensor was checked and found to signal the pressure to the ECU "intermittantly" so they replaced it, aired all 5 tires to my requested "35" and off I went.

The dealer was not only responsive to the issue, but also provided ample explanation as to the nature of the problem, their intended solution and warranty covered repair.

 

IMO change the Tire Pressure to the factory, (Or what the dealer wants) and then Bring it it and say it's still BROKEN, Fix it!
And stare at them until they take it in and fix it....

As 18 they may not believe you, have your dad or uncle bring it in with you, THEN they will believe you and replace it..

Don't worry You will get it fixed if you stand up to them... (Just don't let them bully you around.) Also, you can bring it to another dealer, and say this OTHER dealer is giving me a run around on fixing this.. (Dealers LOVE to Out do Others) and Warrenty is covered by TOYOTA not the dealer cost....

Russ

 

The Different Dealer worked for me, I fought a Dealer for ever on something, (NISSAN) when to a competator. and they fixed it no questions asked.. UGH!

Don't be afraid to stand up to them. (The repair bill is not comming out of the Dealers Pocket, In fact THEY make money on it because they get Money to fix it)

Post back on the result please...
Russ

 

NHTSA does not require a reverse beep in any privately owned passenger car. They are required on certain commercial vehicles but they have to sound outside the vehicle not inside. The reverse beep disable does not completely disable the reverse beeper it just limits it to one beep when you go into reverse.

A seatbelt beeper is required by NHSTA but it only needs to sound for 6 seconds and have a flashing light on the dash. That is exactly what you will have left when the seatbelt beeper is disabled. The seatbelt beep disable only disables the extra beeps that Toyota puts in to keep you "extra safe". It does not disable the beeps required by the NHTSA.

If your service advisor told you NHTSA said they are not allowed to disable the reverse beeper or the seat belt beeper listed in customizable features he is either misinformed or lying to you. There is just no way a company as conservative as Toyota would put in a customizable feature that is illegal to customize.

The good news is you can buy a ScanGaugeII and disable them yourself, it also lets you look at some important data from your car, RPM, coolant temperature, and many other things.