Inspection and Verification
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2012 Ford Pickup. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Verify the customer concern. Keep the following items in mind when diagnosing any TPMS related issue:
- The tire pressure sensors are not designed to be used with aftermarket wheels. The use of run-flat tires (tires with steel body cord plies in the tire sidewall) that are not originally equipped, may block the TPMS signal and are not recommended.
- Non-OEM modifications made to the vehicle may result in false TPMS warnings.
- Swapping wheels on vehicles with the same TPMS sensors sets a fault if the sensors are not trained. Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Sensor Training .
- The tire pressure calibrations in the TPM for the system cannot be changed to use lower tire pressures than those listed on the Vehicle Certification (VC) label.
- Certain non-OEM electronic equipment may cause RFI and false TPMS warnings. To aid in diagnosis, obtain information from the owner regarding any equipment that has been added or was in use at the time the TPMS fault occurred.
- It may be necessary to disconnect any electronic add-on equipment to verify its impact on TPMS operation. For intermittent cases, it may be necessary to ask the customer to provide portable electronic equipment to verify its impact on the system.
- Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanical or electrical damage.VISUAL INSPECTION CHART
Mechanical Electrical - Low tire pressure
- Spare tire installed as a road wheel
- Sensors not trained after a tire rotation
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensor damaged or missing
- Incorrect TPMS sensor installed
- TPMS sensor installed incorrectly
- Non-OEM wheels installed (aftermarket rims)
- Non-OEM equipped run-flat tires or rigid sidewall tires (19.5" steel carcass heavy-duty tires) installed
- Other non-OEM modifications (roll cages, service barriers, part racks, ladder racks)
- Body Control Module (BCM) fuse 26 (5A)
- Wiring, terminals or connectors
- TPM missing or damaged
- Aftermarket electronic accessories (in-car chargers or supplies, DC/AC inverters, video screens, car alarms)
- If an obvious cause for an observed or reported concern is found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next step.
- If the cause is not visually evident, connect the scan tool to the Data Link Connector (DLC).
- If the scan tool does not communicate with the VCM:
- check the VCM connection to the vehicle.
- check the scan tool connection to the VCM.
- REFER to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK , No Power To The Scan Tool, to diagnose no power to the scan tool.
- If the scan tool does not communicate with the vehicle:
- verify the ignition key is in the ON position.
- verify the scan tool operation with a known good vehicle.
- REFER to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK , The PCM Does Not Respond To the Scan Tool, to diagnose no response from the PCM.
- Carry out the network test.
- If the scan tool responds with no communication for one or more modules, REFER to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK .
- If the network test passes, retrieve and record Continuous Memory Diagnostic Trouble Codes (CMDTCs).
- Clear the CMDTCs and carry out the self-test diagnostics for the BCM and the TPM module.
- If the DTCs retrieved are related to the concern, go to the BCM DTC Chart or the TPM Module DTC Chart . For all other DTCs, refer to the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Chart in MULTIFUNCTION ELECTRONIC MODULES .
- If no DTCs related to the concern are retrieved, GO to Symptom Chart .
NOTE:
Make sure to use the latest scan tool software release.
NOTE:
The Vehicle Communication Module (VCM) LED prove-out confirms power and ground from the DLC are provided to the VCM.