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.

[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.

[G8nightman]

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

[TX '90 ZR1]

On a '90, you can remove all the sensors and the light will not come on. '91 and up you will need to remove the bulb.
I removed the sensors on my '90 even though they were working. Didn't want to take a chance on one of the sensors coming apart in the tire.

[G8nightman]

Originally Posted by TX '90 ZR1

On a '90, you can remove all the sensors and the light will not come on. '91 and up you will need to remove the bulb.
I removed the sensors on my '90 even though they were working. Didn't want to take a chance on one of the sensors coming apart in the tire.

Some 91s you can remove them and the light will stay off. That the experience I had with my 91.

[Matt B]

What about wrapping then in plastic to prevent crumbling?
Thought about wrapping mine and re-install them to maintain the system in working order (as it's SO cool to have a working LTPWS in a 32 years old car)

[secondchance]

Originally Posted by Matt B

What about wrapping then in plastic to prevent crumbling?
Thought about wrapping mine and re-install them to maintain the system in working order (as it's SO cool to have a working LTPWS in a 32 years old car)

My guess is the failure starts at the plastic loop where the stainless steel strap passes through. If you reinforce the plastic loop somehow, might stay on.

[GOLDCYLON]

Originally Posted by secondchance

My guess is the failure starts at the plastic loop where the stainless steel strap passes through.

Concur that's where they all fail