DIY: Reprogram Used TPMS For Your Sedan
 

I installed a set of used '05 FX35 18's on my car last week. They came with TPMS sensors installed, and after doing some homework with the FSM and reading through multiple forums, I finally figured out how to program them to match my '06x. The early FX and G use the same TPMS sensors, but this will work with any other rim that uses the same sensor. This would also work for someone running two sets of wheels for winter and summer. It only takes a few minutes to reprogram them.

The only "tool" you will need is a piece of speaker wire (18" long or so will do) with 1/2" stripped off each end. I found you'll need just a few strands, so separate one end to look like a V and twist the strands together.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...f/IMAG0321.jpg

The first step was to find the elusive TPMS reset connector. I had read it was taped on the ALDL harness, but after looking up under the dash, I didn't see anything obvious. Here's a pic of the ALDL connector - it's under the left side of the dash, above your left knee.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...f/IMAG0325.jpg

So, I unscrewed the ALDL connector and gently pulled it out away from the dash - the harness is pretty long so there's some room to work. Leave it connected to the metal bracket.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...f/IMAG0314.jpg

Now, you can look through the hole where the ALDL port was and inspect the harness. You should find a white plug taped to that harness - you can see it in front of my thumb in this pic -

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...f/IMAG0315.jpg

Once you carefully slice the electrical tape open, you can separate that plug from the rest of the harness, and screw the ALDL connector back in place. I left the TPMS connector hanging by the ALDL port.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...f/IMAG0316.jpg

Allright, now that you've finally accessed the reset connector, here's the procedure.

Start the car, and go for a drive to warm the tires up. Once they're warm, you need to adjust the tire pressures according to the learn procedure in the FSM. The front left tire needs to be 34 psi, front right tire 31 psi, right rear 29 psi, left rear 26 psi. I have a battery-powered Craftsman pump with a digital gauge on it, so I was able to do this on the way to work.

Leave the car running, and get your piece of wire. Push the small bit of wire into the TPMS connector at the small hole that lines up with the wire behind it.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...f/IMAG0323.jpg

To put the TPMS system into learn mode, just take the other end of the wire and ground it to metal - I used the bracket at the firewall that the brake pedal is bolted to.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...f/IMAG0324.jpg

Simply touch that six times within 10 seconds, and you should start to see the (_!_) blinking in your dashboard. Now start driving. The FSM says you'll need to drive over 25 mph for several minutes for the system to learn. Once they are programmed, the light should stop blinking and go out. It will also come back on again within a short time since the two rear tires are below the threshold (they activate the light once they are below 30psi). I pulled over, aired them back up to 33 psi, and drove off. Within a 1/4 mile, the light went out again, and has been off since then.

Hope this helps!!

Good info here!

excellent thank you sir

Thumbs up to you for this. Good to know when I pick up a set of oem wheels!

Good job!
I had actually bought this tool:

It does exactly what you were able to accomplish.

I never got it to work because I couldn't find that plug! :p

Damn I need that tool to set the tpms on my oem 19s!!

How important is the specific air pressure in each tire? I don't have a digital gauge..

Use the piece of wire like I did - much cheaper than the tool for sure. :)

From what I've read, the pressures have to be right or the system will not recognize them. You can get a programmable gauge at Sears Hardware for $27 - http://www.sears.com/craftsman-progr...p-02823020000P

Or the basic one for $15 -

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...3001000P?mv=rr

That was the biggest pet peeve I had, and why I made this thread! :) I figured if more people knew where the connector was, there would be less complaining. :)

I usually do my own work on my cars, so I've done quite a few DIY threads on various forums over the years (I have three or four on Jeepforum.com). This was one of the easiest, and definitely the least messy job I've done. :)

excellent post! thanks!

Just to update - I took the car on a few hour-long 50+ mile trips and the light has not come back on. Success!!

I vote to Sticky this thread!! in the Tech wheels sub-forum.

so this fixes the annoying problem of the tpms light just deciding to turn on after 60+min drives?

It worked for me. I had to make a few trips down the Parkway and back for some family stuff. Each trip was over 50 miles, and over an hour in length. No TPMS light in the dash. :) The only time it came on so far is when I did the initial reset, because the two rear tires are below the threshold which activates the light in the dash (below 30 psi).

STICKY, STICKY, STICKY! :biggthumpup:

GREAT info. Thanks.

Related question:

When I bought my car the tire pressure warning light on the dash was lit. I assumed that I probably had a sensor with a dead battery and never messed with it. Would I have a hard fault with just a dead sensor? The light is always on. I'm wondering what would happen if I tried to reset the system.