Forum Discussion

Snomas's avatar
Snomas
Explorer
May 13, 2014

TPMS sensor failed

Took my MH out of storage the other day and the tires all checked OK on the TPMS monitor. Got home and 2 hrs later I drove off to put it back in storage and a low tire warning went off. My pass side inside rear dual read 82 psi. I took it to a truck stop and they pulled the tire and found it was ok. After re-installing the tire we put the sensor on and found it was leaking. $43 and it was the sensor!! Never had a problem w/tires before in 14 years of Motorhoming. I know the TPMS system is an important safety item!!! Just venting!
Class A
  • BobsYourUncle's avatar
    BobsYourUncle
    Nomad
    May 13, 2014
    I'm about to buy a TPMS for my rig.

    I'm just wondering what brand name your system is?
    How old are the sensors?
  • Executive45's avatar
    Executive45
    Explorer III
    May 13, 2014
    Inside each sensor is a small "O" ring that should be replaced from time to time. I have the TST system and I replace mine when I replace the battery.

    Not to rag on the OP, but a simple "spit" test on the valve stem would have saved you the $43 bucks....my dad always preached to us kids....SWSS...Start with the Simple Stuff.....

    Be glad you didn't have to buy a new tire, so in the scheme of things, you still got a bargain..if that makes you feel any better.....:).....Dennis
  • Dale_Traveling's avatar
    Dale_Traveling
    Explorer II
    May 13, 2014
    It happens. Windex and Simple Green are great bubble makers. If you had one there might be more. If the sensors are a Trucking System Technology product they will send you a bunch of replacement o-rings for free. Not hard to replace.
  • RV_CONUS's avatar
    RV_CONUS
    Explorer
    May 13, 2014
    That's one reason I added the Duallyvalves.

    TST sent me extra O-rings with the tst system.
  • John_Wayne's avatar
    John_Wayne
    Explorer II
    May 14, 2014
    On my sensors When I first get them I take an old valve stem and put a SMALL dab of anti-seeze on the lip of the stem. Tighten sensor on to the old valve stem to lube the o ring and no more problems of torn o rings from dry valve stems.
  • Snomas's avatar
    Snomas
    Explorer
    May 14, 2014
    The brand is Tire Tracker and I purchased them 2 months ago and installed them in Sedona and then drove home to Denver w/no problems. They are sending me a new sensor. I like the lubrication method John Wayne is using! Why would 2 month old sensor have an o-ring problem when it was working 2 hrs earlier and I had only driven about 12 miles?
  • wallynm's avatar
    wallynm
    Explorer
    May 14, 2014
    My take is a little different in that the system worked correctly in that it alerted you. Now that fact the problem was the sensor is a bummer. However, I have had valve stems to start leaking. Anything mechanical fails.

    Snomas wrote:
    Took my MH out of storage the other day and the tires all checked OK on the TPMS monitor. Got home and 2 hrs later I drove off to put it back in storage and a low tire warning went off. My pass side inside rear dual read 82 psi. I took it to a truck stop and they pulled the tire and found it was ok. After re-installing the tire we put the sensor on and found it was leaking. $43 and it was the sensor!! Never had a problem w/tires before in 14 years of Motorhoming. I know the TPMS system is an important safety item!!! Just venting!
  • Don_Don's avatar
    Don_Don
    Explorer
    May 15, 2014
    That's why you need to have the Doran System. Ther are the first and best. They have metal sleeves and seals and do not leak like the others with rubber seals.
  • RCMAN46's avatar
    RCMAN46
    Explorer
    May 15, 2014
    As said anything mechanical can have problems.
    I checked tire pressures on a utility trailer the night before a trip. The next morning one of the tires was flat. I had a defective valve stem core.
    So without a TPMS and checking pressures each morning can also get you into trouble if a valve stem core fails to reseat after the pressure check.

    I suspect in the OP's case the sensor was not on tight enough.

    When I first started with my TPMS system I found you have to put the sensors on pretty tight.

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