Low tire pressure warning sensor

[Rick Gibbons]

Hi everyone. I'm new to the registry after buying a 91 ZR-1 last May. My fourth Corvette. I bought it from the original owner's family who stated the tires had been replaced October 2021. It had 9650 miles at the time (just about to turn 11k now). When I got it, I noticed a strange sound like a rock rolling around in a can coming from the right front at slow speeds. My local Corvette specialist, helped me determine that it was the tire pressure sensor INSIDE the tire. The tire shop took it off the rim and found hundreds of pieces inside. After a thorough cleaning, it only took about 5 miles driving to see the service LTPWS light come on in the message center. It resets each time I turn the car off but after about the same distance, it comes back on. I found a replacement on ebay correctly coded for the right front. Now I'm wondering, is there maintenance involved with the sensors? Batteries to replace? The replacement sensor looks brand new but I'm not finding a battery compartment. Maybe the better idea is to remove the remaining 3 sensors, ignore the light, or take the bulb out of that location. I would appreciate your technical expertise and opinions.

[tgonyaw]

I have a 91 with 84000 miles. The sensors and system was intact and working when I got the car.
I had the sensors and bulb removed when the new tires were installed. They are now in a Costco tote in my basement. I did this because some sensors have come apart and damaged the inside of the tire. This car is a driver and the next owner may do things differently. I have owned a ZR-1 since 2018, others with more experience may have a better solution based on the low miles and intended usage.

[secondchance]

LTPWS sensors in the tire/wheel uses piezoelectric to generate electric charge. I removed mine about 10 years ago when I went to 18? wheels and removed the light bulb behind the warning screen.
With age, plastic has tendency to get brittle and even new might fall apart inside the wheel.

[Rick Gibbons]

Originally Posted by secondchance

LTPWS sensors in the tire/wheel uses piezoelectric to generate electric charge. I removed mine about 10 years ago when I went to 18? wheels and removed the light bulb behind the warning screen.
With age, plastic has tendency to get brittle and even new might fall apart inside the wheel.

Update on my pressure sensor question.
I discovered the date code on the inside of the tires that were supposedly installed October 2021. They were from 2014, Nitto summer tires. I decided now was the time for something new since I am driving the car about 100 miles per month year round. My local Chevrolet dealer installed a new set of Michelins, currently with a $70 rebate. I can't say enough about my technician, Evan. He let me hang out, making sure the pinch welds were used for lift placement. I showed him the new sensor I had found on ebay and explained the process. He used a small flashlight to look inside each tire until he located the sensor in each wheel (each of which looked perfect). He took great care in removing and installing the new tires. He mentioned how unusual it was for each of the wheel tire combos to take 1/2 ounce of weight or less and reinstalled on the car. He used a torque wrench for the lugs and locking lugs and used a smaller torque wrench for the correct setting for the caps. I couldn't have been happier.
But back to the replacement sensor. You mentioned it didn't need a battery or any maintenance, but I'm still getting the service LTPWS light after a few miles. Should something be "reset" or will the computer eventually "find" the new sensor?

[secondchance]

But back to the replacement sensor. You mentioned it didn't need a battery or any maintenance, but I'm still getting the service LTPWS light after a few miles. Should something be "reset" or will the computer eventually "find" the new sensor?

Most likely, just gone bad from the age. Could be 20 to 30 years old.
Pull the code and it should tell you which one.

[XfireZ51]

Has anyone looked at retrofitting newer technology for TPWS? I don?t need to have that show up on my DIC, there?s no doubt an app that I could use to check tire pressure.

[GOLDCYLON]

Originally Posted by Rick Gibbons

Hi everyone. I'm new to the registry after buying a 91 ZR-1 last May. My fourth Corvette. I bought it from the original owner's family who stated the tires had been replaced October 2021. It had 9650 miles at the time (just about to turn 11k now). When I got it, I noticed a strange sound like a rock rolling around in a can coming from the right front at slow speeds. My local Corvette specialist, helped me determine that it was the tire pressure sensor INSIDE the tire. The tire shop took it off the rim and found hundreds of pieces inside. After a thorough cleaning, it only took about 5 miles driving to see the service LTPWS light come on in the message center. It resets each time I turn the car off but after about the same distance, it comes back on. I found a replacement on ebay correctly coded for the right front. Now I'm wondering, is there maintenance involved with the sensors? Batteries to replace? The replacement sensor looks brand new but I'm not finding a battery compartment. Maybe the better idea is to remove the remaining 3 sensors, ignore the light, or take the bulb out of that location. I would appreciate your technical expertise and opinions.

I'm running a 90 and 91 with both have all wheel sensors. If you bought a new replacement black body sensor vs the white body you are GTG. Just have the tire folks install it 180 degrees from the valve stem in the center of the wheel. When changing tire I always bring one my wheel sensors in hand to "train" the wheel techs so they don't destroy the sensors when breaking down the tire. When you tell 'em it's 180 degrees from the valve stem they know how to break it down correctly. It's a learning point for techs that are usually younger than our cars.

Either way you have three choices... pull all the sensors, then pull the bulb from the DIC or resort to a piece of black tape over the LTPWS light.

Or just replace the sensor and that would be my call on a 11k mile car.

[Rick Gibbons]

Thanks, everyone. My local Chevrolet dealer offers tire specials, usually in the spring, for a rebate if I use my GM rewards card. I got $140 back on new Michelins for my 2002 Bird last spring. That's the plan for this spring for the ZR-1, reducing from $1140 advertised price. I think I will try to install the new sensor and take a good look at the other 3. If they seem to be in good shape, I'll have all 4 working (first choice.) If any are questionable, or if they damage one or more during installation, I'll yank them all and deal with the warning light. Side bar...my two right wheels have the labels indicating where to break down the tires, the left ones have no labels and show no signs of ever being there. I'm not sure what to tell the tire tech when they start to break them down. Should I guess they are 180 from the valve stem as Goldcylon said and hope for the best?

[GOLDCYLON]

Originally Posted by Rick Gibbons

Thanks, everyone. My local Chevrolet dealer offers tire specials, usually in the spring, for a rebate if I use my GM rewards card. I got $140 back on new Michelins for my 2002 Bird last spring. That's the plan for this spring for the ZR-1, reducing from $1140 advertised price. I think I will try to install the new sensor and take a good look at the other 3. If they seem to be in good shape, I'll have all 4 working (first choice.) If any are questionable, or if they damage one or more during installation, I'll yank them all and deal with the warning light. Side bar...my two right wheels have the labels indicating where to break down the tires, the left ones have no labels and show no signs of ever being there. I'm not sure what to tell the tire tech when they start to break them down. Should I guess they are 180 from the valve stem as Goldcylon said and hope for the best?

Tell 'em anyway. I would not take the chance on the techs reading the label. Make sure they know that you know where the sensors are and you have advised them correctly.

[G8nightman]

I have a few sensor forsale let me know if you are interested.