Several things could be wrong with your car if the check engine light comes on during driving. It’s normal for the tire pressure sensor to go bad. A bad sensor can lead to a lot of issues, from using more gas than necessary to the whole device stopping working.
If your tire pressure indicator is broken, it could cause a lot of problems with your car. You think the sensor isn’t working right, check the battery, clean or replace the sensor, and then restart the system. If the problems don’t go away, take your car to a mechanic for more help.
We will talk about the three main signs of a bad tire pressure sensor in this blog post. We will also give you some advice on how to fix the issue and/or change the monitor if that is what you need to do.
What does a Tire Pressure Sensor do?
It’s called a tire pressure sensor (TPS) and it checks the air pressure in your tires and tells your car’s computer when the pressure getting low. Not having enough air in your tires can make your car handle badly and even cause a flat tire.
You can avoid these issues with a TPS because it checks the air pressure in your tires and tells you when it’s time to add air. Direct and indirect sensors figure out how much air is in the tires.
Indirect TPMSs guess how much air is in your tires by looking at your car’s speed and how the wheels are turning. Direct TPMS measure the pressure of the air in your tires straight away. If you look at older cars, some of them may have indirect TPMSs instead of straight ones.
A lot of tire pressure monitors are on the inside of the wheel, close to the valve stem. They can either screw in or snap in. It’s called a “integrated” TPMS when the monitor for the tire pressure is built into the tire itself.
There is a good chance that your car’s computer will show you a warning light on the dash when one or more of your tires are low on air. Sometimes, the computer may also show a message on the screen or sound a bell.
If you see a warning light or hear a chime, check your tires right away and pump them up if they need it.
Keep in mind that tire pressure monitors aren’t always accurate. A hand-held tire pressure gauge can always be used to check your tires if you’re not sure if your number is right.
3 Signs That Your Tire Pressure Sensor Is Broken
You should know the different signs that something might be wrong with your car if you own one. The tire pressure sensor device is one that people often forget about. If you have a bad tire pressure monitor, these three things will happen:
1. The light that says “TPMS Warning Light” is on.
If the “TPMS Warning Light” comes on, it’s a good sign that something might be wrong with your tire pressure sensor. This light could mean a lot of different things, so it’s always best to get it checked out by a mechanic right away.
Adding air to your tires
If your tires seem to be losing air faster than normal, it could mean that the sensor that measures tire pressure isn’t working right. It’s possible that a leak in the system or a broken monitor is to blame.
3. Your car isn’t driving straight.
Another sign that your tire pressure sensor might be broken is if you notice that your car is handling differently than normal. The monitor sends information about the tire pressure to the car’s computer, which is why this is the case.
If the monitor isn’t working right, the computer might not have the right data, which can cause things to be handled in a strange way.
Getting your car to a mechanic right away is important if you notice any of these signs. They can figure out what’s wrong and tell you if the tire pressure sensor needs to be replaced.
Why Does a Tire Pressure Sensor Go Bad?
A bad tire pressure indicator can be brought on by a number of things. A buildup of dirt and other things on the sensor is one of the most usual reasons. If you don’t clean your tires often or drive on dirty roads, this could happen.
There may also be a leak in the system that makes the tire pressure monitor not work right. This could be because the valve stem is broken or the hose is cracked. If there is a leak, air will leave the system. This can cause the sensor to give wrong numbers.
Finally, an old or worn-out tire pressure monitor is another reason why it might not work right. Parts can break down or get broken over time, which can make the sensor not work right.
You should get your car checked out by a mechanic right away if you think the tire pressure sensor is broken. They can figure out what’s wrong and tell you if the monitor needs to be replaced.
How do I change the tire pressure sensor? What tools do I need?
There are some tools you will need to change the tire pressure sensor. To begin, you will need a ratchet or socket wrench. Besides that, you’ll need a Phillips drill bit. If you have a certain kind of sensor, you may also need a pair of tools.
You can always take your car to a mechanic and have them change the sensor for you if you don’t feel about it. Changing the sensor yourself, on the other hand, is generally not too expensive or hard.
How Much Does It Cost to Change the Sensor for the Tire Pressure?
There are several things that can change how much it costs to replace a tire pressure sensor. What kind of monitor you have is the most important thing.
Straight and curved sensors are the two main types. It generally costs more to replace direct sensors since they are more complicated.
The make and type of your car is another thing that can change how much it costs to replace a tire pressure sensor. It’s easier to change some sensors than others in some cars. In general, though, changing a tire pressure sensor won’t cost too much. Each sensor should cost between $40 and $100.
How do I fix the sensor for the tire pressure?
Your Tire Pressure Sensor might not be working right? You can attempt these things to fix it. The battery should be the first thing you check. The battery needs to be changed if it’s dead. You might need to clean or replace the monitor itself if the battery isn’t being bad.
The sensor might be stuck. Use a toothbrush or compressed air to clean it. You will need to get a new monitor if this doesn’t work.
You will have to get a new monitor if the old one is broken. A new sensor is easy to find at most shops that sell auto parts.
After replacing the sensor, you should turn the system back on by taking the battery out and putting it back in. Also, make sure the tire pressure is right by checking it.
If your Tire Pressure Sensor is still giving you trouble, you might need to take it to a mechanic to get something more checked out.
How do I use compressed air to clean the sensor?
- After you turn off the engine, let it cool down. Find the Tire Pressure Sensor. It’s generally on the dashboard or close to the steering wheel.
- With a wrench, take off the negative battery wire.
- Take the sensor off of where it was mounted. Be careful not to hurt the wires.
- Blow any dirt or other things out of the sensor hole with compressed air. Make sure the compressed air tube points in the direction of the sensor body’s arrow. This will help keep the sensor from getting hurt.
- Put the sensor back on and connect the negative battery wire again. Start the car’s engine and make sure the Tire Pressure Sensor system works right.
How to Use a Toothbrush to Clean the Sensor?
- After you turn off the engine, let it cool down. Find the Tire Pressure Sensor. It’s generally on the dashboard or close to the steering wheel.
- With a wrench, take off the negative battery wire.
- Take the sensor off of where it was mounted. Be careful not to hurt the wires.
- Lightly brush any dirt or other things out of the sensor hole with a toothbrush. Do not push too hard, as this could hurt the sensor.
- Put the sensor back on and connect the negative battery wire again. Start the car’s engine and make sure the Tire Pressure Sensor system works right.
How to Change the Sensor for Tire Pressure?
It is important to know how to repair the tire pressure sensor if it gets damaged if your car has a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
It can be hard to get to and change TPMS sensors because most of them are in the wheel well. You can do it yourself, though, if you’re patient and have some simple tools. How to do it:
- Use a jack to raise the car and take off the wheel that needs the new sensor.
- Take the old sensor off the wheel with a socket wrench.
- Put the new sensor in place with screws. Make sure not to tighten too much, as that could hurt the sensor.
- Raise the car and put the wheel back on.
- Follow the directions that came with your car to reset the TPMS system. Usually, you have to use a special tool or press a button on the dashboard to do this.
That’s all there is to it! You were able to change the tire pressure sensor.
FAQs
How much air should be in the tires?
Most private cars have a sticker on the door jamb or glove box of the driver’s side that tells you what tire pressure is best for the car when it’s full.
In the case of a 2019 Honda Accord, the front tires should have 32 psi of air and the back tires should have 33 psi. Keep your tires at this level to get the best gas usage.
Even if you don’t have the sticker, your owner’s manual will tell you what tire pressure is best.
How Often Should You Feel Your Tires?
There should be no less than one monthly check of your tire pressure to make sure they are right. When your tires are cold, like first thing in the morning or after being stopped for a few hours, is the best time to check them.
The tires will be warmer and the pressure will be higher than it really is if you just drove your car. Tires will lose air as they cool down. If you check your tire pressure while the tires are still warm, you will get a wrong number.
Why do tires have low pressure?
A low tire pressure could be caused by a number of things:
A slow hole in the tire
A crack or hole in the tire
Conditions of the weather (cold weather can lower tire pressure)
Taking the wrong roads
What Happens If You Ride With A Flat Tire?
You should get a new tire as soon as possible if you have a flat one. If you drive on a flat tire, it can hurt both the tire and the wheel. It can also make your car’s balance and alignment go wrong.
Slow down and stay away from bumpy roads if you have to drive with a flat tire.
When should you change your tires?
Most car companies say that you should change your tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. But this could be different for you based on the car you have and the tires you use.
The front and back tires of some cars are different sizes, so they can’t be turned. To find out how often you should rotate your tires, look at your owner’s manual or talk to a skilled mechanic.
What Is the Difference Between Tire Balancing and Tire Alignment?
While the tire and wheel assembly is spinning, the weight needs to be spread out properly. This is called “balancing” the tire. We do this by adding weights to the wheel set.
When you balance your tires, on the other hand, you change the angles of the wheels so they are straight on the ground and parallel to each other.
This is necessary to keep the car moving well and keep the tires from wearing out too quickly.
Conclusion
A bad tire pressure sensor can make a lot of issues with your car. If you think your sensor isn’t working right, make sure to check the battery, clean or replace the sensor, and then restart the system.
If the problems don’t go away, take your car to a mechanic to get more information.
TPMS systems depend on tire pressure sensors, so it’s important to know how to change them if they get broken. You can do it yourself if you are patient and have some simple tools.
Please make sure to follow the steps in the owner’s guidebook for your car. Don’t forget to check your tire pressure every so often!
