TPMS Replacement

It's needs to be programed into the computer....
It doesn't know the number so it won't see it.
I believe autozone can do it...

 

The definition of programmed is the issue. Toyota and compatible TPMS sensors are pre-programmed with a unique serial number. There are programmable sensors but they are more expensive and require a vendor specific tool.



Next, newer Toyotas can automatically read installed sensors and set the car’s computer automatically. My 22 Rav4 hybrid can do that. My 2012 Gen3 can not.

So a gen3 requires Techstream or a compatible TPMS tool to write the new sensor’s unique id / serial number into the car’s computer. To do this you need the serial number that was written on the new sensor. Typically you write down that number before installing the sensor.



Finally some TPMS tools can read an installed sensor id (serial number) using rf scanning. Then you connect the tool to the obd2 port and write the number.

At that point driving the car will make the light go off.

If Autozone can’t do it, a decent tire store can. All scanners or TPMS tools can not read installed sensors and then write the data to the car.

 

It literally takes 1/4 mile over 20 mph to turn on the sensor. These sensors go into a sleep mode everytime you stop the car for a few minutes to conserve their battery. They will activate when not moving if there is a large pressure drop. Once moving they are constantly updating pressure and tire temperature

 

People have the weirdest ideas about what that button does. It's just there for telling the car what tire pressures you like. You inflate the tires to the pressures you want, and press the button, and the car remembers those pressures. You don't ever have to press it again unless you change your mind about what pressures you like.

Seems like most people who ever press that button are hoping for it to do something it doesn't.

 

When replacing Gen 3 TPMS sensors, a relearn process is required to input sensor ID into the computer.

So either the tire shop installed the wrong sensor, or they didn't do the relearn process...


Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

You should take it back to the place that "programed" it and tell them it's not working.
Make them earn the money you paid to have them do it. Or return your money.

 

Pressing and holding the button resets the computer to what the tire pressures are at.
From what I read, once it's programed, correctly, You won't have the flashing tire pressure light,
after the correct information is set.
When the tires are cold, set them to your desired pressure. 36psi for example.
See this video:

It could be he did it correctly, but maybe one of your tires is low.

 

20 mph (miles per hour) not minutes. Initial flashing means one or more sensors are not working or are not setup.

Solid with no initial flashings means low pressure.

The key point is newer cars are more automatic but not your 2011.

 

Then do the button. Make sure you are pressing it, it is buried under the dash.

With car off, go to On state - 2 presses of Start button without Brake. Not Ready or Accessory.


All in owners manual.

 

The button is there for telling the car what tire pressures you prefer. It makes sense to press the button if you have changed your mind about what pressures you prefer.

It works by remembering what pressures are in the tires at the time you press it. So another time it can make sense to press the button is if you suspect somebody else pressed it at a time when the tire pressures weren't what you prefer, so now it thinks you want some other pressures. You can use it to restore the setting to the pressures you prefer.

Changing a tire transmitter doesn't change what the system remembers for your preferred pressures. It remembers just fine. The preference is remembered in the ECU, not in the transmitters.

Changing a transmitter does mean you need to tell the ECU the ID number of the new transmitter. That's the "programming" that's required. It has nothing to do with the remembered preferred pressures, or with the button.

The original transmitters have ID numbers that are permanent, so when you replace one, you have to tell the ECU the ID number of the new one. Some aftermarket transmitters have ID numbers that can be changed (with a different kind of tool), so a shop using that kind of transmitter might just change the new one's ID number to match the old one, and then the ECU doesn't need to be told anything, and doesn't notice anything different.

If the warning light is on, you can ask the car why, and post that information here. Here's a way to do that:

Blink (a/k/a Flash) Codes – How to. | PriusChat

 

They can be pretty hard to activate for the first time. I have the activator tool which is an electromagnet and sometimes it takes a sledgehammer whapping at the tire. Super hard it takes two people. It's a real project sometimes to get these things to switch on for the first time

 

You can set it for 5 sensors instead of 4 but that should have caused the flashing followed by solid indicator when one was missing.

 

He didn't want to admit he made a mistake. It would have been much easier if
he had and you'd feel better about them because they were honest with you.
Everyone makes mistakes. I don't believe there is a difference between the
2011 and 2012 for this. Maybe he just didn't use the correct tool, or knew how
to use it. He should have asked you if the spare had a sensor when he got
the error, then he could have adjusted the tool.

And he is correct in saying that "maybe" another is going bad. Usually, but not
always, if one goes out, the others will soon follow.
At least they got it working for you.