TPMS Module Fault

[kyleaaronburkett]

I've had the TPMS sensor light and warning message since I've bought my expedition second hand. After much struggling I've uncovered it's an issue with the ECU module, not the actual tire sensors. Has anyone experienced this before? Any known fixes?

The full story goes like this: I buy motorcraft tpms sensors to install. Pay to have them installed but it won't learn them. Take it to a Ford dealer, the dealer cannot learn the sensors but confirms they're active. Take it to another tire shop, this shop claims the sensors aren't right for the vehicle. I order new sensors and talk to a fourth shop. The fourth tire shop convinces me to use sensors they know work with my vehicle... They install but the sensors still won't work. The fourth shop orders other sensors to try and still nothing. The fourth shop is convinced the ECU module/tpms reader is faulty. They luckily charged me nothing for this diagnosis and work.

I'm 99% sure it's not a sensor issue I'm facing but haven't found a work around for an issue like this. It's a huge pain to clear the message every time I start the vehicle. Hopefully someone has seen this before. Thanks everyone

Sent from my moto g(7) using Tapatalk

 

[Aspen03]

I have this message in my 2nd gen. Sometimes it will say check spare tire and others its just tpms fault. It will fluctuate from time to time. Tires are never off, I check them fairly regularly. It's annoying but just deal with it. I suspected a bad sensor or something for money but maybe it's more involved? I'll ride along for this thread.

 

[762mm]

Watch this, very interesting :

 

[Aspen03]

Good tip but I do not have any radio equipment or cell phone chargers in my expy. I specifically placed extra USB in the vehicle w the radio upgrade. Everything just plugs in directly. The issue was there before they was installed as well.

My guess for me is likely a sensor. I have over 200k, previous owner had no records of tpms being replaced and I have pages upon pages of service info for over 100k miles. It doesnt bother me as much. I push a button once in the am, once in the evening while I'm doing everything else like setting heat/ac, picking my music, etc.

 

[kyleaaronburkett]

That guys is the bomb, he makes some good videos. Thanks for sharing it. I don't have anything plugged in that could be blocking it either, how nice would it be to have that be the fix.

Mine actually says, 'TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT' and it blinks and buzzes every time I start the vehicle. I have to clear the message before the gauge cluster will show anything but the error. It's a serious pain.

The tire guys said they even held the sensor without it installed to see if it would train (it would be reading 0psi) but it didn't work either. It seems like it's actually the module because I've had 3 different types of confirmed working sensors installed that my vehicle won't learn/train/sync to. The hand held readers always detect them as active.

Sent from my moto g(7) using Tapatalk

 

[Aspen03]

Same error I get. Looks like I'll be continuing to ignore it. Lol.

While it's annoying I dont look at much in there aside from remaining range and really I only care when it's getting low, though we also have a fuel gauge. For me, it's easy enough to clear when needed.

 

[kyleaaronburkett]

Same error I get. Looks like I'll be continuing to ignore it. Lol.

While it's annoying I dont look at much in there aside from remaining range and really I only care when it's getting low, though we also have a fuel gauge. For me, it's easy enough to clear when needed.

I will happily continue clearing the message if it guarantees I'll be in your situation with 200k+ miles. Right now I'm at ~160k and trying to keep everything maintained.

I'm praying someone has had a module issue they've fixed and can share something about their experience.

Sent from my moto g(7) using Tapatalk

 

[JExpedition07]

Did the shops purchase the correct Ford rim band sensors? You cannot use regular ford TPMS sensors to my knowledge in 2007&2008 model year Expeditions as they won’t train to the computer. It should be a block shaped sensor and it straps to the rim via steel band. If not they aren’t the right ones. When I got the message I had all the sensors replaced and it was fixed then on forward.

It’s possible you have a module problem as you mention too. Maybe there is a way with forscan or a scanner to block or clear that message. Not sure though.

 

[kyleaaronburkett]

Did the shops purchase the correct Ford rim band sensors? You cannot use regular ford TPMS sensors to my knowledge in 2007&2008 model year Expeditions as they won’t train to the computer. It should be a block shaped sensor and it straps to the rim via steel band. If not they aren’t the right ones. When I got the message I had all the sensors replaced and it was fixed then on forward.

It’s possible you have a module problem as you mention too. Maybe there is a way with forscan or a scanner to block or clear that message. Not sure though.

The last shop did try the bands. I will download forscan and see what the programming options are, I already have a Bluetooth obd2 tool

Sent from my moto g(7) using Tapatalk

 

[762mm]

An interesting tip I saw on these forums for computer faults is to disconnect the PCM plugs on the firewall under the hood and to spray them with WD40, then reconnect (make sure your battery is disconnected first, though!). Sometimes it's something as simple as a communications error due to a buildup on the pins...

Funny that this topic came up, as my Expy started popping a "tire pressure low" error message every time I start it since last week (no indication as to which tire, though). I attribute it to a probably dead battery in one of the senors, myself... as the temperatures have dropped below freezing quite suddenly out here and an already weak battery most likely crapped out. We shall see in the spring, lol... and THANK YOU FORD FOR MAKING THE TPMS BATTERIES NON-REPLACEABLE !



Oh, how I miss my 99 Explorer with no ******** TPMS, no electronic throttle body and no VVT solenoids / cam phasers... all these mandatory nanny state "safety / fuel economy rules" are a royal and expen$ive pain in the ass each and every friggin time!

 

[Aspen03]

I will happily continue clearing the message if it guarantees I'll be in your situation with 200k+ miles. Right now I'm at ~160k and trying to keep everything maintained.

I'm praying someone has had a module issue they've fixed and can share something about their experience.

Sent from my moto g(7) using Tapatalk

I bought this with 205k, turned 213k today, I lucked out with a great previous owner who was diligent with necessary maintenance and didn't sweat the things like this that didn't impact reliability. Keeping maintenance going as he did and fully expect to get a few years out of it yet with little concern. Eventually things will wear out but saving $800 a month on a payment makes it easy to fix things.

 

[kyleaaronburkett]

An interesting tip I saw on these forums for computer faults is to disconnect the PCM plugs on the firewall under the hood and to spray them with WD40, then reconnect (make sure your battery is disconnected first, though!). Sometimes it's something as simple as a communications error due to a buildup on the pins...

Funny that this topic came up, as my Expy started popping a "tire pressure low" error message every time I start it since last week (no indication as to which tire, though). I attribute it to a probably dead battery in one of the senors, myself... as the temperatures have dropped below freezing quite suddenly out here and an already weak battery most likely crapped out. We shall see in the spring, lol... and THANK YOU FORD FOR MAKING THE TPMS BATTERIES NON-REPLACEABLE !



Oh, how I miss my 99 Explorer with no ******** TPMS, no electronic throttle body and no VVT solenoids / cam phasers... all these mandatory nanny state "safety / fuel economy rules" are a royal and expen$ive pain in the ass each and every friggin time!

I've never heard of wd40 on electrical components but the circuits are just metal so I guess it makes sense.

I'm going to google this a little first then give it a try myself. I don't think it will work but I'll try anything at least twice.

Thanks for sharing 762mm

Sent from my moto g(7) using Tapatalk

 

[kyleaaronburkett]

I found there is something like 'CRC QD Electronic Cleaner' a friend has used it on one of his automotive connections with success. I may attempt this before going WD40 on it

Edit: I see now that wd40 makes a specialist electrical contact cleaner spray. It's $7 a can, the other cleaner is $5 a can. Both are available with Amazon prime.

I'm going to order CRC electronic cleaner since it's a bigger can, cheaper, and my friend at work has used it before.

I'll keep you guys posted. Might take a few days

Sent from my moto g(7) using Tapatalk

 

[762mm]

I've never heard of wd40 on electrical components but the circuits are just metal so I guess it makes sense.

I'm going to google this a little first then give it a try myself. I don't think it will work but I'll try anything at least twice.

Thanks for sharing 762mm

Sent from my moto g(7) using Tapatalk

Meh, I just blast all electrical plugs with regular WD40 on all family cars / trucks whenever I disconnect something. It hasn't hurt anything yet. I believe it says it's good for electrical connections on the can itself, actually... Just make sure to shake the plug a bit before reconnecting, to get the excess out.

I also like to insert and pull out the plug at the socket a few times to work the WD40 in and clean any buildup on connections. So far on the Expy I've done the MAF, spark plug coil plugs and injector plugs this way. I've done the rear and front light bulb sockets too. I like to finish the job with a bit of dielectric grease in each connector plug at the end too. I'm gonna do my PCM plugs as well when time allows, as preventive maintenance.



The other thing you may want to check is whether the ground is good on the TPMS module itself. A few have reported weird possession-like stuff happening to their Expy's instrument cluster, etc due to bad grounds.

 

[Aspen03]

You can pick up the crc contact cleaner at lowes and Walmart. I use it somewhat frequently. Just went through a half can doing diagnostics on a heat pump. Board and contactor covered in a decade of dirt and cobwebs...

It goes pretty quick, fair amount of pressure and just blasts dirt away

 

[Kjhawkeye1]

I literally just fixed this issue (had the exact same message pop up every time) on my 2011 EL XLT. Used FORSCAN to change the code on the instrument cluster (IC) side of things and it was a snap. You can create a free temporary FORSCAN account and get a cheap cable from Amazon.

 

[kyleaaronburkett]

I literally just fixed this issue (had the exact same message pop up every time) on my 2011 EL XLT. Used FORSCAN to change the code on the instrument cluster (IC) side of things and it was a snap. You can create a free temporary FORSCAN account and get a cheap cable from Amazon.

Do you remember what you changed the code to and from? I'm going to download forscan right now and see what I can do.


Sent from my moto g(7) using Tapatalk

 

[kyleaaronburkett]

I've downloaded Forscan lite and I used the Bluetooth OBD2 adapter I already had. I ran a test on the instrument cluster and 3 resets. I was unable to clear the message. I ran the reset twice and cancelled it once (for a total of 3 attempts). Forscan reports no errors.



Sent from my moto g(7) using Tapatalk

 

[Langer]

I believe

I've downloaded Forscan lite and I used the Bluetooth OBD2 adapter I already had. I ran a test on the instrument cluster and 3 resets. I was unable to clear the message. I ran the reset twice and cancelled it once (for a total of 3 attempts). Forscan reports no errors.



Sent from my moto g(7) using Tapatalk

I believe he’s talking about using the full software on a laptop and just turning off the alert, not 100% though.

 

[Kjhawkeye1]

Do you remember what you changed the code to and from? I'm going to download forscan right now and see what I can do.


Sent from my moto g(7) using Tapatalk

It was in the IC as built section and it was the 720-01-01string.