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Replacing TMPS sensor using OBDII scanner tool?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by MattFL, Aug 3, 2024.

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  1. MattFL

    MattFL Member

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    Is it possible to connect a new TPMS sensor to a 2012 Prius using an OBDII tool? I understand the car needs to be programmed with the ID of the new sensor, and I've already got a OBDLink MX+ tool. The tool itself is very capable, but the software that came with it is limited, so perhaps I need a different app to be able to program TPMS?
     
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    A new Toyota branded sensor correct? Your tool is TPMS capable is it not? In the Toyota software you literally have to sit down with the laptop and manually enter in the numbers of the TPMS units eight digits whatever it is for every wheel and the Toyota software you have to type in each code with a capable TPMS tool you should be able to install the new sensors and then go around to each wheel strike up a relearn of each wheel and it will wake up everything and make the car's chassis computer recognize the new sensors that are in place and so on that'll usually put the light out. So it just depends on how you want to go about it with a newer tool and a relearn procedure with aftermarket capable TPMS wheel sensors that's what I would try to go for like many of the scan tool makers also make TPMS sensors some tools can work with multiple sensors some tools can only work with their brand of sensors etc Just depends how you go Pacific is the company that makes predominantly most of the Toyota wheel sensors and wheel trim I think they may have some upgraded TPMS wheel pieces that are able to relearn and program on the fly like other modern sensors unlike the ones in our Toyota currently.
     
  3. MattFL

    MattFL Member

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    If it's programmable via OBDII then the hardware I have should be capable, but the software that I have is not. I'm hoping to be able to spend a few bucks on an app instead of a lot of money on a new tool, but I don't know which app to get. So I really have two distinct questions: (1) is TPMS programmable via OBDII, and if so (2) which app supports this?
     
  4. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Look at the menus for your linktool and see if it is.
    Maybe look on line for your model number.

    Are you going to change the sensors yourself? If not, whoever is changing them
    SHOULD be able to program them also. It's fairly simple.

    I use the XTool D8, and it was simple. I only had to go to the menu for the tpms and then
    say "add" sensors. I typed in the numbers for all 4 and it was done.

     
  5. MattFL

    MattFL Member

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    It sounds like it should be possible to setup TPMS via OBD then, this is good. Now I just need to figure out which app to get.

    I will be changing the sensor myself.

    Here's a picture of the tool I have. The tool itself has no interface, it plugs into the OBD port and you connect to it via BlueTooth. Then an app running on your Android device gives you the interface. It can be controlled by any app that works with the standard protocols. The app that came with it is very basic and I could not find anything related to TPMS in it. I purchased a 3rd party significantly more capable app to use with my diesel truck, but that app does not support Toyota. So now I need to figure out which app supports Toyota and has the TMPS support. Getting warmer. :)


    upload_2024-8-3_13-13-13.png
     
  6. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    After you change them, go to walfart. They can do it for under $10 each...
    Autozone, discount auto, etc., can also do it for you.

    Not sure what the cost is for the correct tool to set them up.

     
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  7. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    I don't think that Bluetooth dongle is going to have an app to do the TPMS sensors but you can try and see usually you need a good bi-directional scanner that has maintenance modes like what most people on here don't want to pay for so not everybody has one a lot of these things are three and $400 and to do one thing with it or something like that a lot of people can't justify the cost and I can't blame them.
     
  8. MattFL

    MattFL Member

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    The OBDLink MX+ is bi-directional so I believe the hardware is capable. Apparently an app called OBD Fusion can read the TPMS data, but it's not clear to me yet if it does the programming part. I'm waiting on a reply from their support. There's another software called Techstream that can do it with a different OBD dongle, but from what I can find it's old and requires Windows XP. So basically I don't have the software solution yet but I haven't given up. ;)
     
  9. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    In the Toyota tech software You're sit down and you enter in all eight digits or however many it is manually so you have to have them written down and know where they are on the car or some kind of nonsense like this. Whereas a modern TPMS sensor like one that's made after 2018 or something has the capability for a tool to snap it into a relearn mode without having to enter any digits data nothing You just stand at the wheel you're interested in flip the switch it does something to that TPMS sensor and does something to the body control module I guess and awakes everything up the body control module or whatever or the TPMS module sees the sensor somehow adds it to its repertoire however it's going to work and that's that no numbers have to be added entered no keyboard needed