TPMS Error when leaving spare at home?

[Wisluggo]

I’m sure this has been asked before but my searching skills are failing me at the moment. Today I took my rear tires carrier and spare off the truck as the carrier needs to be powder coated. I left the spare in my garage.

I took a drive and about 20 mins in, I get a flashing then solid tpms error light on the dash. When I look at the tire pressure screen on the cluster, none of the pressures come up for the wheels. Did I goof something up by leaving the spare at home?

 

[Wisluggo]

Oops, looks like I fixed it by going through the learning process. I got home and turned the truck off and on again and all the wheels are addressed, but the spare.

 

[Wisluggo]

Well I might have spoke too soon as it did it again today. I assume the flashing then solid tpms warning implies a bad sensor?

 

[bloc]

Different years might have different meanings for flashing/solid/colors. I’d consult your owners manual for more info on what it’s trying to tell you.

 

[auggafj80]

I’m going through the same issue. I’ve got my spare off, replacing the factory system underneath. Rusted out and broken after 12 years in the northeast.

Car is searching for the spares pressure. Light will go off once spare is within range. My light also went on one time when the spares pressure dipped below 32 psi or so.

 

[cboyd]

If you aren’t carrying your spare, buy a TPMS sensor for your year and put it in the cargo area... get Carista and program it for the new sensor.

 

[gaijin]

If you aren’t carrying your spare, buy a TPMS sensor for your year and put it in the cargo area... get Carista and program it for the new sensor.

You forgot the most important last step:

Then pressurize your entire passenger compartment to 40psi.

 

[KLF]

If you aren’t carrying your spare, buy a TPMS sensor for your year and put it in the cargo area... get Carista and program it for the new sensor.

Ya. That part is easy. How are you gonna trick the sensor to think it's seeing ~40 psi?

I've heard tales of building a vessel out of PVC pipe with a schrader valve on it, drop the sensor in there, stow in the trunk. Seems kinda sketchy to me.

 

[cboyd]

Haha, yep that’s right!! Forgot the most important part... yes the PVC trick was what I was thinking. I’ve seen that done before. As long as you use the pressure capable PVC it’s not too sketchy.