GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I finally broke down and bought 4 sensors for my winter tires from Cambodia Tire for $50 each + tax. I had them installed in my new winter tires/rims (not at CT don't worry), did the "learn process" on my 09 Vibe and they seemed to work fine for over a week. FYI I did the "learning process" in a parking lot far away from my summer tires.What's weird is that after I switched the tires over, I drove 10mins to a parking lot (TPMS warning light was not on). I did the learn procedure (in which the reset button actually did cause the light to flash 3 times) and all was well for over a week. I could drive to/from work, shopping etc and the light never came on. Then just randomly after about 8-9 days the TPMS light came on. I tried the relearn, but the light would just keep blinking for about a minute, then stay on steady. I checked the pressure in all tires 32psi (one read 33psi and I lowered it to 32 and tried again, no luck.)A little bit of internet research and I found they need to be "activated" (Although why they worked fine for a week I don't know, maybe the GM/Toyota system is just that slow).I called Cambodia Tire, they told me they'd need to be "activated" and that they charge $40 for "activation". I already spent $200+tax there I don't feel like I should have to pay $40 just to use the items I already purchased. Also the "activation" only takes a few seconds per tire, so it's $40 for under a minutes worth of work. So a few questions....-Is the TPMS in my 09 Vibe GM or Toyota technology? -If I pay CT $40 for the Vibe to learn these tires, will I have to pay them $40 again in the summer to learn my summer tires? IE can the system only remember 4 sensors at a time?-I've also heard that I need to get a serial number or code off the sensor before installing it and that needs to be plugged into the TPMS tool to sync with the car, and since the tires are already mounted I'm SOL unless I have them remounted. I've also heard conflicting information saying this code can be obtained wirelessly (which I hope if I need it that it's true).I guess I'm just trying to get a better understanding of the system, thanks.

I know it's kind of a moot point now, but getting a second set of sensors really isn't worth the money and hassle. I know with the OEM sensors you have to have them re-programmed at a dealer everytime you switch wheels i.e twice a year - once in the spring and once in the fall. The only thing that happens without the sensors is the light will stay on. It doesn't harm the vehicle or anything. This will be my third winter driving without TPMSs in my winter wheels and I don't even notice when the light is on anymore.

Well crap.... I did 3 winters with that annoying light and I thought I'd treat myself and just buy the bloody sensors.So you are 100% sure that the car can only remember 4 sensors at a time, and the dealer (or a tire shop with the right tool) can reprogram them. I was reading that the sensors just need to be "activated" and once they were activated the vehicle could learn them anytime. But again this is internet reading.So final question, is the system in the Vibe GM or Toyota?

Yup, only one set of sensors can be remembered then you pay to have them switched over.Probably Toyota, but not positive.

Definitely Toyota system - not GM. Vehicle most definitely only "knows" 4 sensors at a time, and requires re-programming for each change.The system in these cars seems to look for a response from a sensor for up to 20 minutes of running time. Only then, if no sensor has been detected, does it flash the light. Maybe each of your trips after the "relearn" was done were just under that time limit.Mine occasionally pick up a signal from one of the sensors in my "summer" tires stored in my basement when I start the car in the morning. When this happens, the light stays off until exactly the same spot on the highway every time - and then it'll start flashing again. From other trips I determined it was time though - not mileage. Slow winter trips have verified that from time to time...Sorry to help verify the "bad" news - but that's one of the reasons I haven't gone with additional sensors for winter. I don't want to have to rely on someone else for something so simple (like the dealer) - plus I don't like the idea of paying them every season for the re-program.One of the few items I wish had more GM "DNA" involved in it. That, and the oil life monitoring system would be nice. At least we got the GM warranty - although I hope none of us actually need to use it...John

Quote, originally posted by j42.snyder »Sorry to help verify the "bad" news - but that's one of the reasons I haven't gone with additional sensors for winter. I don't want to have to rely on someone else for something so simple (like the dealer) - plus I don't like the idea of paying them every season for the re-program.Yeah, like I said, I don't even notice the light anymore. Although most of my trips usually fall under the 20 minute mark, so the light hardly ever comes on, but when it does I just ignore it. To me it's no different then the warning lights being on for the headlights, fog lights, etc. Definitely not worth the time, money and hassle.

One of the major reasons I had the dealer search the entire province for a 1SA without the TPMS system, thanks of course to research right here on GenVibe. The costs of the additional sensors and reprogramming is egregious and a dealer money grab. I'd just choose to ignore the light and save the $100/year programming grab.

Quote, originally posted by Capt.Vibe »The costs of the additional sensors and reprogramming is egregious and a dealer money grab.Yup! Come springtime, the Black 17's will go on and the light will return!

In regards to the TPM system on the Vibes, I beleive they are a Toyota design - I left them out on my winter tires, but yes they require programming if you want to switch back and forth between winters & summers. Each TPM has a assigned serial number (either 6 or 7 characters) The number is etched on the TPM itself inside the tire - you need a Tech2 & go into the TPM section and input all 4 new serial codes for the TPM system to learn & communicate, then you would have to do the same thing again for the other set of tires - I've done a few here @ work, but in the end most customers opt out and drive with the light on - & yes when you put your summers back on, they system usually learns it within minutes even without pressing the reset button - hope this helps

There's no need to have to "get used to" the warning light being on. I've "disabled" my TPMS warning light with a 1/2" x 1/2" square of black vinyl electrical tape. When the stock wheels with sensors go back on, I simply "enable" the warning light by peeling off the tape.

Here's the GM pdf: http://www.gmpartspowertrain.c...r.pdfApparently, the system cannot be fooled and I need a Tech 2® but the lowest price I can find on those using Google Shopping, is $3177 so at a cost of $100 per year of having my sensors reset at the dealer, I could justify the cost of the Tech 2® in 32 years (ignoring the time value of money!) I'm guessing I shouldn't of bought sensors for my new rims.On a second thought, does anyone have any experience with a Tech 2® emulator? here's one for about $100 http://www.discountdiagnostics...r/23/. There are also several download sites for Tech2win but they all seem somewhat sketchy so I will try to download with an old computer at work in case it sabotages my hard drive. I'll let you know.Doug

You could just spend a few extra buck per sensor to buy a set of "clone-able" Schrader TPMS sensors. These are a newer rubber stem GM style sensor so no problems with somebody accidentely putting a brass valve core into an aluminum stem sensor or putting a not plastic cap on the alum. valve stem and getting seized in place due to a reaction between metals, and no leaking gaskets seals between the wheels and sensor after 3 or 4 years. This all can be done with a hand held unit like a Bartec Tech400 to copy the ESN of the existing sensors to the new sensors and never have to worry about seasonal sensor reprogramming again.