Pinpoint Test D: Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Indicator ON Continuously and Message Center Displays LOW TIRE PRESSURE
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Pinpoint Test D: Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Indicator ON Continuously and Message Center Displays LOW TIRE PRESSURE
Normal Operation
The Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) module monitors the air pressure of all 4 road tires. The wheel-mounted tire pressure sensors transmit data via radio frequency signals to the TPM (Tire Pressure Monitor) module. The TPM (Tire Pressure Monitor) module is a radio receiver that collects the air pressure data from the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) tire pressure sensors. The data is then sent to the Body Control Module (BCM) where a predetermined pass/fail criteria is applied. The TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) sensor radio transmissions are sent approximately once every 60 seconds when the vehicle speed exceeds 32 km/h (20 mph). The BCM (Body Control Module) compares each TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) sensor transmission against a low-pressure limit. If it has been determined that the tire pressure has fallen below this limit, the BCM (Body Control Module) communicates this on the vehicle communication bus to the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC). The IPC (Instrument Panel Cluster) then illuminates the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) indicator and displays the appropriate message(s) in the message center.
This symptom can also be caused by a spare tire currently being used in place of a road tire. Make sure that the spare tire is not currently in use. On vehicles with different front and rear tire pressures, if the sensors are not trained following a tire rotation, this symptom may result. Advise the customer that on vehicles with different front and rear tire pressures, the sensors must be trained as directed in the Owner's Literature.
This pinpoint test is intended to diagnose the following:
- Air pressure not set to specifications listed on the Vehicle Certification (VC) label
- TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) sensors not trained following tire rotation
- Spare tire currently in use
- TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) sensor(s) reporting inaccurate pressure
PINPOINT TEST D : TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) INDICATOR ON CONTINUOUSLY AND MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAYS LOW TIRE PRESSURE
NOTE: Use only the Digital Tire Gauge any time tire pressures are measured to be sure that accurate values are obtained.
NOTE: If a warranty case is opened for an actual TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) fault, document and include the actual tire pressure data in all warranty communications.
D1 DETERMINE TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) SYSTEM STATUS (TPMS_STATUS) PID
- Ignition ON.
- Enter the following diagnostic mode on the scan tool: BCM (Body Control Module) DataLogger.
- Read and record the TPMS_STATUS PID
Is the TPMS_STATUS system status LOW CMPST STATUS?
Yes
GO to D2.
No
IF TPMS_STATUS = SENSOR FAULT, GO to Pinpoint Test H. Pinpoint Test H: DTC U0140:87
IF TPMS_STATUS = SYSTEM FAULT, GO to Pinpoint Test F. Pinpoint Test F: Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Indicator Is On With DTCs Present
IF TPMS_STATUS = SYSTEM ACTIVE, the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) system is working as designed at this time. If an issue was reported by the customer, REFER to PID Definitions and Intermittent Troubleshooting, in Principles of Operation. Principles of Operation
D2 CHECK FOR SPARE TIRE IN USE
NOTE: The spare tire is not programmable even if it is equipped with a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) sensor. If a damaged road wheel is located in the trunk, the sensor may still be recognized by the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) /VSM (Vehicle Security Module) as low. Make sure the spare tire is not currently in use. To restore TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) functionality, repair the damaged road wheel and re-mount it to the vehicle.
- Check spare tire location.
Is the spare tire in use?
Yes
REPAIR and REMOUNT the wheel to the vehicle. REFER to Wheel and Tire . ADJUST tire pressures to the required pressure as defined on the Vehicle Certification (VC) label located in the driver door jam.
No
GO to D3.
D3 CHECK FOR LOW TIRE PRESSURE
- Using the Digital Tire Gauge, measure and record the air pressure in all 4 road tires.
- Adjust the pressure for those found to be below the specification listed on the VC (Vehicle Certification) label.
- Activate each sensor at least twice with the training tool or customer activation tool to make sure the module gets the latest air pressure data. Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Sensor Activation or drive the vehicle for at least 2 minutes above 32 km/h (20 mph) to clear the low pressure warning. Do not train the sensors at this time.
Has the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) indicator gone out?
Yes
The system is functioning normally, diagnosis complete. INFORM the customer of the correct tire pressure maintenance. REFER to the Owner's Literature.
No
GO to D4.
D4 CHECK IF THE TIRES WERE ROTATED WITHOUT TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) SENSOR TRAINING
NOTE: If the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) sensors at the front of the vehicle are still trained in the rear positions but inflated to the front air pressures, the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) indicator will be on continuously.
- Read and record the following PIDs:
- Left Front Tire Pressure (TPM_PRES_LF)
- Right Front Tire Pressure (TPM_PRES_RF)
- Left Rear Tire Pressure (TPM_PRES_LRO)
- Right Rear Tire Pressure (TPM_PRES_RRO)
Do the rear PIDs show front air pressures and the front PIDs show rear air pressures?
Yes
The tires have been rotated without training the sensors. TRAIN the sensors. REFER to Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Sensor Training .
No
GO to D5.
D5 CHECK FOR STUCK TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) SENSOR
- Read and record the following PIDs:
- Left Front Tire Pressure (TPM_PRES_LF)
- Right Front Tire Pressure (TPM_PRES_RF)
- Left Rear Tire Pressure (TPM_PRES_LRO)
- Right Rear Tire Pressure (TPM_PRES_RRO)
- Using the Digital Tire Gauge, measure the actual tire pressures.
- Compare the air pressure PIDs with the actual air pressures.
Do the compared tire pressure values match within ± 5 psi and has the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) indicator gone out?
Yes
The system is functioning normally, diagnosis complete.
No
Before installing a new sensor(s): If a sensor does not respond to the Tire Pressure Monitor Activation Tool, MOVE the vehicle to rotate the wheels at least one-fourth of a turn and ATTEMPT to activate the same sensor again.
If the sensor still fails to train, ATTEMPT to train the sensor with the vehicle doors open.
If the sensor(s) fails to train a second time, INSTALL a new TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) sensor(s) for the sensor(s) in question. REFER to Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Sensor .