TPMS Sensors - replacement cost, alternative suppliers, specifications

[seawind3000]

Well after my service run to Kitchener, Ont. I turned down the $1400. cost to replace the TPMS sensors in the wheels, I gave ebay a shot. $176. for four 433mhz sensors, the `supplier`called me to get the addresses pulled from the ecu, the VW shop texted them to me and I passed them along. The 4 sensors arrived and my local tire shop installed them and my last warning light dissapeared!! The first time scince I have owned the car, all warning lights are OFF $176.!!!! My wheels are now all reading OK at 40psi in the front and 45psi in the rear. The spare is turned off and there is no sensor in it but it reads OK aswell.

Happy, Mike

[Paximus]

That's really good value!

I too bought a fully compatible low cost set from a far east TPMS manufacturer, which I have tested and work great, no serial numbers etc required.

For test info check post #199 in this thread:

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Design, Function, Operation, and Troubleshooting

CB

[Victor R]

Mike,

Would you care to share the seller's name on eBay where you got these from?

Thanks,

Victor

[TX170754]

Mike,

Would you care to share the seller's name on eBay where you got these from?

Thanks,

Victor

Hi Victor,

Check this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-of-4-TPM...0af2ca&vxp=mtr

[seawind3000]

Mine came from newpartsplus .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TPMS-fits-02...item4164f8f463



Mike

[Victor R]

Thanks, guys!

Victor

[udaymohan]

Brilliant thank you for the information.

[29_MALE_SOCAL_SPICY]

might give this a shot... Will report back.

[chillson]

Am I wrong in assuming that all Phaetons sold in the US (MY 2004-2006) would require the 433MHz sensors (not the 315MHZ)? I ordered 5 of these without sending the serial numbers and just indicated that I wanted the 433MHz version. I will let you know how they work out...Jay

[29_MALE_SOCAL_SPICY]

Am I wrong in assuming that all Phaetons sold in the US (MY 2004-2006) would require the 433MHz sensors (not the 315MHZ)? I ordered 5 of these without sending the serial numbers and just indicated that I wanted the 433MHz version. I will let you know how they work out...Jay

not sure, but I can verify my 2004 V8 runs 433MHz per build code:
7K3 = Tire pressure control, frequency 433 MHzhigh level version

[Paximus]

As far as I figure it, the ITM hardware parts come 'blank' from manufacture, so they seem to scan the existing TPMS kit to decide what car system to emulate.

I assume the manufacturer is not paying BERU for a block of unique ID codes, so they re-use the ones from your discarded parts. But perhaps they have some default codes built-in.

It's unlikely you'll ever park or drive alongside another car using one of those same codes - at least, not unless it's got ITM TPMS sensors on default codes, then both cars might throw a TPMS fault!

Chris

[Itzmann]

Our Phaeton has good sensors because all of them got gradually replaced by 2009 under extended warranty.

But for our Touareg, I got the sensors from the Tire Rack for I believe $350 USD. The new sensors were made in Germany by Beru, same factory that makes the original VW/Audi sensors, and the only thing that changed was the color. Other than that, the sensors were the exact same, possibly even coming from the same mold.

Note: the Touareg sensors are different from Phaeton on some years, because they use a different radio frequency. So don't buy Touareg sensors, buy Phaeton sensors for your specific year.

Recommended.

[Paximus]

I believe the BERU shell colour changed from black to orange to distinguish the new extended battery life ones from the original 5-year life ones, after some country or other (I wonder who?) uprated their legislation.

Chris

[Expoman]

A question rather than an answer - is it possible to retrofit such a system to my 2004 V10?

With thanks in anticipation,
Steven

[Zaphh]

The orange sensors are compatible with the grey, Stephen.

Shall we have lunch at La Tranche sur Mer this summer ?

P.

[Paximus]

[edit - for the below - did I misunderstand?]

Hi Steven,

You mean your car doesn't appear to have TPMS? Unusual. Is there a plug for it fitted above the LH battery, below the fuse panel?

I wonder where the sensotronic power steering signal comes from then, if not that controller?

The wiring harness was made to suit the individual car's exact build option list (after all, that's the philosophy of the Transparent Factory) so it would be a pig of a job to run all those antenna cables and add to the main loom through the car.

There are aftermarket ones, of course... Useful but not quite in the spirit of the thing! See Kipoint (also see eBay)

Cheers,
Chris

[Expoman]

[edit - for the below - did I misunderstand?]

Hi Steven,

You mean your car doesn't appear to have TPMS? Unusual. Is there a plug for it fitted above the LH battery, below the fuse panel?

I wonder where the sensotronic power steering signal comes from then, if not that controller?

The wiring harness was made to suit the individual car's exact build option list (after all, that's the philosophy of the Transparent Factory) so it would be a pig of a job to run all those antenna cables and add to the main loom through the car.

There are aftermarket ones, of course... Useful but not quite in the spirit of the thing! See Kipoint (also see eBay)

Cheers,
Chris

Many thanks Chris,

I'll have a gander and revert.

All best,
Steven

[tynee]

As far as I figure it, the ITM hardware parts come 'blank' from manufacture, so they seem to scan the existing TPMS kit to decide what car system to emulate.

I assume the manufacturer is not paying BERU for a block of unique ID codes, so they re-use the ones from your discarded parts. But perhaps they have some default codes built-in.

It's unlikely you'll ever park or drive alongside another car using one of those same codes - at least, not unless it's got ITM TPMS sensors on default codes, then both cars might throw a TPMS fault!

Chris

Is there a way to get the codes without taking the car in to a dealer to scan? I have a Rosstech Vagcom, would that work? Or does the standard Autozone or Advance Autoparts have the equipment necessary?

[Paximus]

As I see it (a guess - I don't have any ITM sensors) the ITM sensors will have their own software that listens to the existing TPMS sensor controller transmissions. First they will scan the frequencies, then they will scan the signals to decide what brand of car/TPMS etc it is, then they will try and sniff the ID codes that the car controller is using to attempt to reach the old defunct OEM TPMS sensors.

If they find some ID codes they will clone them and the car controller will think they are its old sensors.

There wouldn't seem to be any way of programming these ID codes direct into the ITM sensors even if you scanned for them.

But I assume they will have a way of getting the ITM sensors to try lots of formats and latch on to the one that works.

Chris

[Motorista]

I recently changed all 5 original sensors because three were out of battery and the remaining two were approaching their life limit. I bought the new ones from the tirerack, for $ 80/each, made by WUF, orange case: interestingly Wuf is the German oem supplier of our cars' ignition keys (and of Mercedes/BMW/VW ignition keys since at least the fifties), I suppose they have not branched out to tpms sensors. In any case, the new sensors proved perfectly compatible with the old Berus installed in Dresden, ......except for one! we could not get the single stubborn new sensor to communicate with the controller. Eventually we traced the problem to a faulty controller: whent that was replaced, the system worked perfectly.
Stefano

[chillson]

I received my five sensors yesterday from www.OEwheelsLLC.com. They are the ITM variety (433MHz). I got all five for $212 including delivery. I actually placed two separate orders at first (each with a $5 shipping charge) but they refunded one of the $5 charges and shipped all five sensors together (nice customer service in my opinion). A day or two after placing my order online, I received a call (from John) asking for the serial numbers of my old sensors. I did not have a way of getting the numbers as I was on vacation. John said that was fine but that it would be about a week before he had the sensors that would work without knowing the serial numbers. I said fine and could wait. The sensors arrived yesterday so I called Discount Tire because I was due for a free rotation and balance and wanted to see what they would charge to install the sensors for me. They quoted me $10 per wheel so I made an appointment for today. The guy from the tire shop asked where I got the sensors and how much they cost. I told him and he was skeptical that they would work. When I got the call that the work was done, the guy on the phone said all the sensors looked good on my display. I was ecstatic. When I got to the shop, another guy said that when he scanned for the sensors, none of them were found. I was disappointed. On the way home, I reset the TPMS through the "Vehicle" button on the center display (nothing more). After about 2 minutes of driving, I got a red "Flat Tire" indicator on my small screen and all 5 tire readings were flat on the main screen. I was concerned. Then after about 3 more minutes of driving, the warning went away and all 5 indicators on the main screen read OK. The only weird thing is that all 5 tires read 37 psi. I will wait for them to cool down and check the pressures with a gauge tomorrow morning. I have had the car for 2 years and the TPMS light has always been on until today. I am happy! Thanks so much for the links and info...Jay

[tynee]

That's great news. Mine should be here Friday, hope I have the same luck. Very excited to see that little warning light disappear.

[tynee]

Sensors came in, had Discount Tire mount them and balance the wheels, but they didn't do anything else with the sensors. I inflated the fronts to 40 and the rears to 38 last night, coded the computer to read the spare, then went to bed. This morning I pulled the TPMS fuse for 1 minute, reinserted, took the car out and set the TPMS to "spec new pressures" on my drive to work.

Took 10 minutes, and all tires read "OK".
I don't think I've ever seen this system work. I'm very happy. No warning lights!