TPMS reset with the Ford Tool

[SHObert]

Hey guys,

I'm having trouble with resetting the TMPS on my Dad's 2010 SHO to the sensors in the winter tires and rims that I just bolted on for him. These winter wheels were purchased from a Ford dealer close to us and they do have the valve stem type sensor. The winter tire sensors were previously reprogrammed to the car last winter.

Now the tool that I'm using is one that I got from the Ford dealers parts counter. It's the tool with the part number 8C2T-1A203-AB, and it's identical to this; http://www.ebay.ca/itm/FORD-TPMS-TI...ccessories&hash=item35b6830205#ht_2409wt_1185. From what I read on the internet and what the guy at the dealer told me is that this tool should work on our cars. But it doesn't seem to work unless the sensor was already reprogrammed by the Ford dealer. So the the summer 20" wheels that had the sensors that were lately reprogrammed by the Ford dealer are responsive to the tool, but the 18" winter wheel sensors are not responsive even though the dealer reprogrammed them in the past. I don't understand why this is the case because the sensors in both the summer and winter sets should emitted the same frequency, and the car will only accept the sensor that is being "activated" by the tool when in learning mode.

I am also definitely putting the car into the TPMS learn mode. I do this by turning the car on, or putting the ignition into the ON setting (hold the start button down without the brake on). Once that is done I press the hazard lights button 5 times and the horn will chirp with the message center display that it's in learn mode. Then using the tool I will try to "activate" the sensor by placing the tool by the valve stem or any other part around the sensor. Nothing seems to work.

So...little help?

 

[cheech]

I am almost positive 2010 came with band sensors. 2011 up had valve stem sensors. You can't program bands to valve stems. You will need to swap sensors over if that's the case

 

[Showgun]

I remember a thread about that......the sensors in the '10 are different to the subsequent years and are on the opposite side of the tire.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

That is absolutely true. The band sensors "I.D." is the opposite of the valve type Schrader sensors, Like one is + and the other -. Anyway they aren't interchangeable. This info came from a Schrader employee. So... 2010 TPMS won't work on 2011, or 2012 vehicles or vice-versa, without installing the correct year & style of sensor. BAD DEAL.. I know.

 

[SHObert]

My bad. I guess they are not the valve stem style but the banded type. I just looked at the statement from that night and it says TPMS-4 sensor array. These sensors were previously programmed to the car last winter but that was done by the dealer. But to be sure, I positioned the tool 180 degrees from the valve stem, the back of the same spot, at the valve stem and anywhere else around the tire. I'm pointing the arrow on the tool towards where the sensor should be too. Anything I do doesn't seem to work. But I have no problem in programming the summer wheels when they sit next to the corner of the car being programmed. The summers were last programmed by the dealer after last winter.

 

[cheech]

If the sensors are the same as the original that tool should work. I use the same one at work. The only other thing I can think of is you may have to wake up the sensors. Bolt the wheels on and drive it. The go into programming mode and try it. Good luck

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

Similar discussion of sensors on Ford Flex Net. Seems that having sensors quit working is a common problem. Can you get any of the sensors to react? Horn Beeps when communication is made.

Also... Ford engineer on that forum said the Smart Box that handles TPMS is the same for both 2010 and 2011, but that it is programmed differently to read the first digit of the 2010 vs 2011 systems which are different numbers. So. if you could hack into the box and change the digit, one could use the much cheaper 2011 Schrader Valve TPMS stems. Another snub by FORD....

 

[nynd]

If you can't program the ones in the winter wheels, then they are probably the wrong sensors. How they programmed them last year is unknown. The 2011 use the valve stem with sensors and the 2010 use band ones (315 Mhz). These can be black or blue in colour. They do go bad.. but all 4 going bad at once is a stretch.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

I think you are positioning the tool wrong. You point it at the tire 180 deg. opposite the valve stem, not at the valve stem. I did this yesterday with mine as I switched from my summer tires to my stock 20's with A/S tires. Sounds like your start up functions are easier for the push button start. I did that wrong twice because I turned the key 4 times instead of 3. You get a beep at each tire, and NONE at the end if it is done correctly. If not... it's 2 beeps.

 

[SHObert]

I just tried again since my last post and the winters are still not responding. I lugged out one of the the summers from my basement to see if those could be programmed, and it was successful without even trying (no surprise there). Keep in mind that the summers are the 2010 20" wheels, so I was holding the tool 180 degrees from the valve stem. I did hold the tool 180 degrees from the valve stem for the winters but nothing happens. WHY ARE THINGS NEVER AS EASY AS THEY SOUND!!!!! lol. I'm sure once we go to the dealer to get the winter sensors reset the sensors in the summers will have the same problem when the time comes to change out the wheels next summer.

By the way EcoBob I'm sure my method for getting the car into the 'learn mode' will work for you. You could probably leave your key in the accessory mode and press the hazard lights button 5 or 6 times. I learn't this method from a youtube video involving a late model F150, and guessed how it would work on the push button Taurus'.