TPMS battery replacement SUCCESS!

being an inveterate cheapskate I was galled to see it was going to cost somewhere between $150 - $25 each for 5 new TPMS sensors + installation and programming for my 2008 Taco Access Cab 4x2 2.7L

2 local shops wanted $500

BAH! I first opted for the cheapest solution black tape over the light

Searching for solutions I saw this guy on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtZWndK1gE8

I tried the jack <> the car and the tire method but I'm not that cheap and bought the XB-450 Bead Buster from the mfg website since it was $10 less than anywhere else + free shipping
https://beadbuster.com/product/beadbuster-xb-450/

I got the batteries on ebay 5 of them for $24
https://www.ebay.com/itm/125301354436

Some of what was done in the video was cringe worthy and I felt I could do better.

Using the XB-450 is easy but for my rims I needed to reposition it after making a bit of room to get the foot close as I could to the rim .

Using a wood 2x2 with a 45 on one end I pried the tire down and removed the sensor

This is the sensor on the bench


Pry off the back cover with a small screwdriver


remove the potting compound from around the battery and circuit board being careful not to damage the circuit board


Carefully insert the screwdriver under the battery lifting gently, when the battery is free do the same with the circuit board eventually extracting the assembly from the housing




Remove the potting compound from around the area where the battery is soldered on the circuit board and remove the solder. A desoldering Iron makes this a breeze which I have HAKKO FR-300




I found for the best result you need to clean as much of the potting compound as you can from the circuit board and case.

The batteries I got the tab was too big to fit in the hole so I used scissors to trim some off the width of the tabs.

Make certain you get + to + and - to - as there are no markings on the circuit board and are tiny on the battery.

I checked the voltage of all the batteries I removed and one was below 1 volt . When I reinstalled the tires one at a time I checked to see if the warning light was off. The one with less than 1 volt was the culprit. All the others where near to falling below one volt so the decision to replace them all is validated.

I test fitted the repaired assembly in the case, then removed it then filled the case with Silicone Bathroom sealer. Gently pressed the assembly in the case making sure the circuit board was on the posts and the battery was in the clips. I then smoothed over the excess sealer and added more as needed. I'd recommend nitrile gloves when handling the sealer and in a well ventilated area

This is the repaired sensor


Self-leveling electronic grade potting compound is available, but it is expensive and setting time is 24 hours

I opted for a spin of the wheel with silicone bathroom sealer since I had it on hand

I also had mis-matched rims making it difficult to buy the sensors and some independent Toyota Techs say the aftermarket ones can be problematic

I have 4 T15x6J rims they use the PACIFIC PVM-108J sensor



I have one J15x6JJ rim this uses the PACIFIC PVM-107J sensor


Hope this helps someone

ENJOY!

 

Good on ya for this. I need to fix my spare TPMS, but I have already bought the replacement.

 

I would have went to rock auto bought the pre programmed ones and called it a day
The garage charged me 75.00 to scan them in

 

"being an inveterate cheapskate I was galled to see it was going to cost somewhere between $150 - $25 each for 5 new TPMS sensors + installation and programming for my 2008 Taco Access Cab 4x2 2.7L
2 local shops wanted $500
BAH! I first opted for the cheapest solution black tape over the light"

My hat is off to you for venturing into this project. Being retired, I've pressed forward in similar DIY undertakings.

Amazing how much prices have increased, while our security and quality of living have decreased in just a very short period of time.

 

Idk if they still do it, but I know discount tire programmed mine on another vehicle for free. When I rolled up for free air, I asked em about it and he just ran the tool n did it.

 

FWIW these are the OG sensors and batteries so what 14 years? I don't encounter freezing temperature much so that maybe a factor for battery life

 

[QUOTE="BlkDakDave, post: 27504687, member: 89422"My hat is off to you for venturing into this project. Being retired, I've pressed forward in similar DIY undertakings.[/QUOTE]

Yeah I was kicked to the curb just before the Covid - catastrophuck 45+ years experience is apparently negative

This would have been something I'd be tasked with repairing since parts where not readily available or not available at all and the machine had to be repaired

 

Good job! I'm lazy and went with the light on the dash and a $10 tire pressure gauge...

 

Cool writeup. You say you have mismatched sensors, but they are all OEM correct? Someone doing this job on stock rims can expect the same procedure for their sensors?

 

Subbed

 

aint that the truth!

 

Robbery.

Great write up @mattmaxon

 

PACIFIC is the manufacturer for Toyota and many other vehicle manufacturers, so yes the one I have are the OEM ones

https://www.pacific-ind.co.jp/eng/products/car/tpms/

I would presume the procedure would be the same, but my experience is with my truck only

 

Wow! Hats off to you for putting in so much work. I did the mod that disables the TPMS system instead and just check my tire pressure every so often.

 

that kind of silicone is usually acidic and will corrode the electronics if it is
did it have a vinegar smell

 

Not sure the guy making that vid would've thought it was worth it had he taken his thumb off while cutting that battery loose. Safety last must be his motto.