Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) reset / relearn tool

[rjwheele]

Since there is now the law that cars have a Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) to warn of low tire pressure we are stuck with the problem of resetting (a.k.a. "relearning") the system when tires are rotated and repairs/replacements are done.

There has been some complaining in the forums about the cost. To be slightly rude, my suggestion is: "Get over it. The government says it has to be there and the price trickles down."

I have no personal experience or vested interest in the following. But -- if you just have to have a new tool in your box -- here is one for under $60 (Plus shipping) (as of this date) that should do the job. There are others on offer, many over $1,000.

Tool: Kent-Moore EL-50448

Web site link:
http://www.handsontools.com/Kent-Mo...e-Monitor-Sensor-Activation-Tool_p_80368.html

The procedure takes under 5 minutes and the Owner's Manual provides instructions under the title "TPMS Sensor Matching Process" in chapter 10.

This tool is supposed to work on GM Vehicles. I don't know if other brands require a different tool.

Alternative: Go to a dealer or tire store and have it done with a possible charge for the service. This SHOULD be done as part of any wheel/tire service being done.

 

[SteveC]

Most "Discount Tires" will do the procedure free of charge.

 

[Molson02536]

TPMS SYSTEM BACKGROUND - how TPMS is integrated into the vehicle's computer:
The tire pressure monitor (TPMS) system uses the passenger door module (PDM), the body control module (BCM), the exterior lamp switch, the 4 radio frequency transmitting pressure sensors in the tire valves, and the serial data circuit to perform the sensor learn mode functions.

LEARN MODE DESCRIPTION
To read correctly, the sensor learn procedure must be performed any time the PDM is replaced, a tire sensor is replaced, or after the vehicle's tires have been rotated. Once the learn mode has been enabled, each of the sensors' unique identification code can be programmed ("learned") into the PDM's memory. When a sensor's ID code has been learned, the PDM sends a serial data message to the BCM to sound a horn chirp. This verifies the sensor has transmitted it's ID code and the PDM has received it. As soon as the first sensor ID code is learned, all other IDs are erased from the PDM's memory.

SENSOR FUNCTIONS
Each sensor takes a pressure measurement sample once every 20 seconds while in stationary mode. If the tire pressure increases or decreases by more than 1.6 PSI from the last pressure measurement, another measurement will occur immediately to verify the change in pressure. If a pressure change has indeed occurred, the sensor sends a re-measure signal to the PDM. When the PDM receives a re-measure signal while in sensor learn mode, it will assign that sensor ID to that location on the vehicle.

SENSOR LOCATION
The PDM must learn each sensor's ID code in the proper sequence in order to determine sensor location.

LEARN MODE CANCELLATION
The TPM system will cancel the learn mode if more then 2 minutes have passed and no sensors have been learned, or if the system has been in learn mode for more than 5 minutes. If the learn mode is canceled before any sensor has been learned, the PDM will remember all current sensor IDs and their locations.

CAUTION: Before proceeding with the steps below, ensure that no other sensor learn procedure is being performed simultaneously, or that tire pressures are not being adjusted on a TPM equipped vehicle within close proximity.

STEP BY STEP:

1. Turn "ON" the ignition, with the engine OFF.
2. Apply the parking brake. IMPORTANT: If the learn mode cannot be enabled, ensure the TPM system is enabled in the PDM.
3. Turn the exterior lamp switch from "OFF" to parking lamps 4 times within 4 seconds. A horn chirp will sound and the low tire pressure light will begin to flash indicating the learn mode has been enabled.

CAUTION: Over inflating tires may cause personal injury or damage to the tires and wheels. When increasing tire pressure do not exceed the maximum inflation pressure as noted on the tire sidewall.

IMPORTANT: If a horn chirp does not sound after 35 seconds for any of the 4 sensors, turn the ignition "OFF" to exit the learn mode and repeat the procedure from step 1.

4. Starting with the left front tire, increase or decrease the pressure for 8-10 seconds, or until a horn chirp sounds. The horn chirp may occur before the 8-10 second pressure increase/decrease time period has been reached, or up to 30 seconds after the 8-10 second pressure increase/decrease time period has been reached.
5. After the horn chirp has sounded, proceed as in step 4 for the next 3 sensors in the following order:

Right front
Right rear
Left rear

6. After all sensors have been learned, exit the learn mode by turning "OFF" the ignition.
7. After the learn mode has been exited, adjust all tire pressures to the recommended psi
8. After adjusting all tire pressures to the recommended psi, run the tire pressure check in the DIC to see that the correct pressure is listed.

Take note: If you do a wheel rotation and they still work fine. The only problem is that they don't read at the correct tire. Let's say you did a same side tire rotation, front to back. Now let's say you get a nail in the driver side front tire, and the air leaks out. On your display, it will show that your driver side REAR tire is low on pressure. So best to do a TPMS reset.

Hope this helps

Molson02536

 

[mogleybear]

I tried this on my 2012 1500. Using the lamp switch did not make the system go into the relearn mode. I found out from another forum, instead of turning the light switch 4 times, push and hold the lock and unlock button of the remote at the same for about 5 seconds. This allowed mine to go into the relearn mode and chirped the horn. I hope this helps anyone else that the light switch doesn't work for. The rest of the procedure is the same.

 

[GMC Customer Service]

Hello mogleybear,

Thanks for sharing this information that worked for you! I hope this helps anyone else that the original posted procedure didn’t work for. If you have any questions, please feel free to private message me. Thank you very much for your time.

Gregory W.
GMC Customer Care

 

[mogleybear]

Just got new tires and wheels from Discount Tire Direct, this procedure apparently does not work for the 2012 1500. It will go into the learning mode, but not matter what I do with the pressure in the tires it will not chirp the horn. I thought getting it to go into the learn mode would allow the rest of the procedure to work, I guess not. I guess I need to get the tool to do this. Poor design on GM's part, especially since you have to do this every time you rotate tires. I also tried adjusting the pressures on the original tires and still couldn't get the horn to chirp.

 

[SteveC]

TPMS SYSTEM BACKGROUND - how TPMS is integrated into the vehicle's computer:
The tire pressure monitor (TPMS) system uses the passenger door module (PDM), the body control module (BCM), the exterior lamp switch, the 4 radio frequency transmitting pressure sensors in the tire valves, and the serial data circuit to perform the sensor learn mode functions.

LEARN MODE DESCRIPTION
To read correctly, the sensor learn procedure must be performed any time the PDM is replaced, a tire sensor is replaced, or after the vehicle's tires have been rotated. Once the learn mode has been enabled, each of the sensors' unique identification code can be programmed ("learned") into the PDM's memory. When a sensor's ID code has been learned, the PDM sends a serial data message to the BCM to sound a horn chirp. This verifies the sensor has transmitted it's ID code and the PDM has received it. As soon as the first sensor ID code is learned, all other IDs are erased from the PDM's memory.

SENSOR FUNCTIONS
Each sensor takes a pressure measurement sample once every 20 seconds while in stationary mode. If the tire pressure increases or decreases by more than 1.6 PSI from the last pressure measurement, another measurement will occur immediately to verify the change in pressure. If a pressure change has indeed occurred, the sensor sends a re-measure signal to the PDM. When the PDM receives a re-measure signal while in sensor learn mode, it will assign that sensor ID to that location on the vehicle.

SENSOR LOCATION
The PDM must learn each sensor's ID code in the proper sequence in order to determine sensor location.

LEARN MODE CANCELLATION
The TPM system will cancel the learn mode if more then 2 minutes have passed and no sensors have been learned, or if the system has been in learn mode for more than 5 minutes. If the learn mode is canceled before any sensor has been learned, the PDM will remember all current sensor IDs and their locations.

CAUTION: Before proceeding with the steps below, ensure that no other sensor learn procedure is being performed simultaneously, or that tire pressures are not being adjusted on a TPM equipped vehicle within close proximity.

STEP BY STEP:

1. Turn "ON" the ignition, with the engine OFF.
2. Apply the parking brake. IMPORTANT: If the learn mode cannot be enabled, ensure the TPM system is enabled in the PDM.
3. Turn the exterior lamp switch from "OFF" to parking lamps 4 times within 4 seconds. A horn chirp will sound and the low tire pressure light will begin to flash indicating the learn mode has been enabled.
CAUTION: Over inflating tires may cause personal injury or damage to the tires and wheels. When increasing tire pressure do not exceed the maximum inflation pressure as noted on the tire sidewall.

IMPORTANT: If a horn chirp does not sound after 35 seconds for any of the 4 sensors, turn the ignition "OFF" to exit the learn mode and repeat the procedure from step 1.

4. Starting with the left front tire, increase or decrease the pressure for 8-10 seconds, or until a horn chirp sounds. The horn chirp may occur before the 8-10 second pressure increase/decrease time period has been reached, or up to 30 seconds after the 8-10 second pressure increase/decrease time period has been reached.5. After the horn chirp has sounded, proceed as in step 4 for the next 3 sensors in the following order:

Right front
Right rear
Left rear

6. After all sensors have been learned, exit the learn mode by turning "OFF" the ignition.
7. After the learn mode has been exited, adjust all tire pressures to the recommended psi
8. After adjusting all tire pressures to the recommended psi, run the tire pressure check in the DIC to see that the correct pressure is listed.

Take note: If you do a wheel rotation and they still work fine. The only problem is that they don't read at the correct tire. Let's say you did a same side tire rotation, front to back. Now let's say you get a nail in the driver side front tire, and the air leaks out. On your display, it will show that your driver side REAR tire is low on pressure. So best to do a TPMS reset.

Hope this helps

Molson02536

This does not apply from 2012 to present.