LTPWS change from 93 to 95 wheels

[Wild and Blue]

My plan is to take the factory wheels off a 93 ZR-1 and replace them with Amolds. It has been a nightmare just getting someone to change the tires (all are afraid of the LTPWS sensor). Finally have found a place who says they are familiar with the type bands we use on C4 ZRs because they do some mustangs with the same type system.

Problem is, they say the bands can't be taken off the wheel (something about a crimp from the factory) without ruining them. Their offer is to sell me some universal bands and move the sensors from my sawblade bands to their universal bands on the Amolds.

I see the bands with sensors come up for sale on a rare occasion here so I know they must be wrong about the bands not being removeable, Is there some tool that re-crimps them that this dealer just does not have? Are they just trying to up their $$ by selling me these universal bands? What exactly is this crimp they are talking about? I was under the impression that the sensors were held on by a simple band similar to an old style radiator hose clamp that just tightened and had the excess cut off.

I also though about just leaving them off after hearing some of the horror stories about them coming apart at high speeds but if I am honest with myself, my car seldom sees more that the speed limit (I have a bad history with speeding tickets but never in the ZR, must keep insurance rates low) and since these Amolds I am going to are still factory Corvette wheels, it seemed like it should be easy to switch the sensors. Apparently, not so.

Is there anyone out there who has done a sensor change to another wheel or who is familiar with the system that can educate me?


If I am able to switch them over, how do I go about resetting the "codes"?

Finally, it is easy to tell on 93 wheels which go where...Amolds are not so easy, front and back I get, lol , but does it matter which side or are they interchangeable side to side, not the sensors, the wheels?

[QB93Z]

I just swapped four sensors and bands to four replacement wheels on a '93 last fall. I have never heard about the bands not being reuseable.

The sensors do not (and can not) be "recoded" the way that modern LTPW sensors can. The C-4 LTPWS devices are color coded to the position they have to be installed. Have the tire installer keep careful track of which color sensor comes off which wheel.

A-molds are not directional. But since the LTPW sensors are corner specific, the wheel and tire become corner specific once they are mounted. Once again have the installer keep careful track of which tire and wheel goes where.

I know it is hard to tell mechanics what to do, but the best way to keep all this straight is to take one wheel off the car at a time.

Bottom line is, if the Low Tire Pressure warning light comes on, you walk around the car and see which one looks low and then you check the pressure in all the tires anyway. Therefore, none of the above matters too much. The low pressure protection will operate properly with the sensors in any position.

Good Luck.

Jim

[secondchance]

Originally Posted by QB93Z

I just swapped four sensors and bands to four replacement wheels on a '93 last fall. I have never heard about the bands not being reuseable.

The sensors do not (and can not) be "recoded" the way that modern LTPW sensors can. The C-4 LTPWS devices are color coded to the position they have to be installed. Have the tire installer keep careful track of which color sensor comes off which wheel.

A-molds are not directional. But since the LTPW sensors are corner specific, the wheel and tire become corner specific once they are mounted. Once again have the installer keep careful track of which tire and wheel goes where.

I know it is hard to tell mechanics what to do, but the best way to keep all this straight is to take one wheel off the car at a time.

Bottom line is, if the Low Tire Pressure warning light comes on, you walk around the car and see which one looks low and then you check the pressure in all the tires anyway. Therefore, none of the above matters too much. The low pressure protection will operate properly with the sensors in any position.

Good Luck.

Jim

Jim,

Are you sure they are corner specific?
Last year I had the tire installer switch left and right rear rims when replacing tires. I had no issue as a result.

[QB93Z]

The reason that they are corner specific is that if a sensor fails, the system will set a code to tell which sensor has failed. If the colors are not installed in the positions that the manual says, then the code will "point" to the wrong corner.

Jim

[secondchance]

I get you.
Guess I will have to remember the swap...

[GOLDCYLON]

Originally Posted by QB93Z

The reason that they are corner specific is that if a sensor fails, the system will set a code to tell which sensor has failed. If the colors are not installed in the positions that the manual says, then the code will "point" to the wrong corner.

Jim

Jim is 100% correct the sticker color is for the installer to know which sensor goes where and for the above stated reason

[IowaZR-1]

The sensor should be directly across from the value stem. The color locations are Orange-Right Rear Yellow-Left Rear Green-Left Front and Blue-Right Front. Mount the sensors on the smallest diameter of the rim with the half moon notch in the counterweight lining up with the valve stem. Torque the mounting screw to 60 in. lbs. Good luck!

[Wild and Blue]

Originally Posted by QB93Z

I know it is hard to tell mechanics what to do, but the best way to keep all this straight is to take one wheel off the car at a time.

Good Luck.

Jim

You are right, it is difficult with some mechanics .... but with the info provided by the "Brotherhood", I believe I can speak with authority.


Thanks to all

[Wild and Blue]

Done and apparently no problems =D> ....Thanks all.

[QB93Z]

Cool!