wheel speed sensor question...

SuaveSky · 07-02-2009, 12:51 AM

this question is for a lady at my work that put some new rims on her stock tires. she said that the shop took off the wheel speed sensors because they couldn't get the new rims on with them on? now the DIC is going nuts without them beeping all the time. im really not sure what to tell her? any input is appreciated! thanks

snaponbob · 07-02-2009, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuaveSky

this question is for a lady at my work that put some new rims on her stock tires. she said that the shop took off the wheel speed sensors because they couldn't get the new rims on with them on? now the DIC is going nuts without them beeping all the time. im really not sure what to tell her? any input is appreciated! thanks

Impossible. Virtually NO reason to remove them. I am assuming that the shop would not reinstall the TIRE PRESSURE MONITORS. This, of course, assumes she has an 08 or 09 Sky. A lot of tire shops refuse to deal with them out of fear of damage/liability. Also, some aftermarket wheels might not be TPM ready. Ask her WHAT warning light is coming on.

Bogie · 07-02-2009, 01:43 PM

Are we talking wheel speed sensor or tire pressure monitor sensors?

SuaveSky · 07-02-2009, 06:52 PM

OOPS.... sorry.. wasn't thinking... not the wheel speed sensors... the tpms sensors....

snaponbob · 07-02-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuaveSky

OOPS.... sorry.. wasn't thinking... not the wheel speed sensors... the tpms sensors....

Refer back to my first post. Now, go ask the tire shop WHY they did not mount the TPMs on your new rims. If they say that the wheels are the problem, speak with the vendor that sold them if that is correct. If the tire shop was just "scared", demand your labor charges to be refunded, take that money to a REAL tire shop, and have the work corrected.

At this point, your only real concern is just seeing the warning light on the dashboard. Your car should otherwise function just fine.

OOPS. Just saw your signature. I can not imagine why Gravana would be selling wheels that are not TPM ready. Time to go have a "discussion" with the shop. In this day and age, there is NO excuse for what they did.

JeffInDFW · 07-02-2009, 11:13 PM

I am trying to buy a set of wheels for my wifes 4x4 Xterra, and every one of the wheels I have looked into actually have warnings saying they are not able to accept the factory Tire Pressure Monitor Sensor. If you goto the Tire Rack and select rims, some of them have that warning there also. SO, if the lady purchased rims that are not designed to accept the TPMS module, then the shop is correct. Go check yourself and you will see I am correct. I have not tried to buy wheels for the Kappas I've owned yet, so I have no experience with this particular car with TPMS issues.

Sky_Pilot · 07-02-2009, 11:36 PM

Ok, I gotta ask, what's the wheel speed sensor?

Bogie · 07-03-2009, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky_Pilot

Ok, I gotta ask, what's the wheel speed sensor?

It's a sensor that monitors wheel spin, usually providing input to the ABS or ESC system. I don't know if kappa uses this technique or not.

snaponbob · 07-03-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bogie

It's a sensor that monitors wheel spin, usually providing input to the ABS or ESC system. I don't know if kappa uses this technique or not.

The wheel speed sensors are critical to making any and all the traction nannies function. On the Kappas they are incorporated into the wheel bearing assemblies at each wheel.

Sky_Pilot · 07-03-2009, 01:06 PM

Hmmm, anyone have a picture of what these look like installed... just curious.

snaponbob · 07-03-2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky_Pilot

Hmmm, anyone have a picture of what these look like installed... just curious.

GOOGLE to the rescue. Heeeere ya go -- GM TPMS - GM TPMS Tools & Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems

Sky_Pilot · 07-03-2009, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaponbob

GOOGLE to the rescue. Heeeere ya go -- GM TPMS - GM TPMS Tools & Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems

Heh heh, I never would have guessed they were an integral part of the valve stem itself.

Thanks for the info..

JeffInDFW · 07-03-2009, 02:18 PM

To avoid confusion, I want to clarify that we are talking about two different things within this thread. The wheel speed sensor is just that. It monitors the speed that the wheel is turning, and each wheel has one. That way the car knows if one wheel is turning slower. This is how your cars Anti Lock Brake system and stability control work.

The Tire Pressure Monitor system also has a sensor at each wheel. THAT sensor monitors the pressure of air inside the tire. These used to be a large band that strapped around the inside of the wheel, but more modern designs are built into the valve stem.

The point of this thread was someone asking if it was true that some aftermarket wheels do not allow you to use the OEM Tire Pressure Monitor system. The wheel has to be designed in a way that allows the TPMS module to fit at the valve stem. I do not know specifically what the problem is with the wheels I have looked into for my wifes Xterra, but so far the wheels manufacturers have all stated that the OEM TPMS monitors would NOT be able to be installed on their wheels if I bought them.

snaponbob · 07-03-2009, 03:37 PM

I just spoke with Tire Rack. The agent I spoke with stated that for a specific wheel to be TPMS compliant there needs to be a recess machined into the wheel to properly accept the sensor. Further, he said he could check the specifics of any wheel they sell if I told them what I wanted. So, the OP needs to speak with the vendor she bought her wheels from. Jeff, Discount Tire or Tire Rack can probably solve your problem.

JeffInDFW · 07-06-2009, 04:21 PM

The Tire Rack is where I have been trying to buy wheels for my wifes Xterra. I enter her truck online, select different wheels, and each one I have selected (that she liked) has popped up a message saying "Warning! This wheel will not accept the factory TMPS Sensor and the system will not function.".

Bob, thanks for taking time to actually call them and get detailed information. Now I know what the problem is, and how it is solved.