07-02-2021, 01:11 PM | #1 |
Drives: 2017 SS 1LE, 2016 1SS (previous) Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Metro-Detroit
Posts: 1,863
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TPMS Relearn
This is a simple topic, but I recently had quite the headache getting two new TPMS sensors to learn to my car. Through some quick searching, I noted a lot of confusion and trouble from people in the past on this topic. So, with that, if figured to make this quick DIY post to hopefully help someone out and keep them from tossing potentially good TPMS sensors.
Background of my issue: I recently bought two new, different width wheels to change up my setup. I like to keep TPMS operational, if I can, in my car, it being a SS 1LE with PDR. I purchased two, new GM/AC Delco TPMS from the same place I've purchased others. Same part number as I've purchased before and verified the correct parts before installation. Once I had everything put together, tires and TPMS onto the wheels, I attempted to learn the new sensors to my car (the other two wheels on the car had known working sensors). The two new wheels were on the front of the car, the other two were on the rear. Attempting the relearn for nearly 30 minutes, time after time, I could not get the front wheel TPMS to learn. I tried doing the rear wheels, first, out of order, and I could get them to learn; however, they were, for whatever reason, proving more difficult than what I could remember. I had never had this much of an issue learning TPMS to a car! So, I tried, in the mindset of process of elimination of issues, and toward the possibility of the car or my TPMS tool (EL-50448 equivalent) being the cause, to relearn my OEM wheels that I had just taken off the car. The OEM wheels/TPMS relearned, no problem, even being stacked at the other side of the garage. The problem couldn't be the tool or an issue with the car. I began to believe the new sensors that I got were bad, but I had a very hard time settling on the fact that two, brand new sensors were both bad. Possibly, but these were brand-new, OE, Schrader TPMS. Taking a step back, and thinking about the system, how it works and how the components work:
In respect to "1.", the TPMS tool, the EL-50448, is supposed to wake up ("ping") a TPMS and make it start sending transmissions out to the RCDLR module so that the sensor can be picked up and recognized. In respect to "2.", it is possible to have the TPMS positioned, in respect to the vehicle, such that the TPMS signal is not able to be picked up or picked up easily, in that the signal must travel over the air. In respect to "3", you will know you are in "learn mode" with the Camaro as there is a specific sequence of horn beeps, turn signal illumination/flashing and a visible message in the message center (DIC). If "1", "2" or "3" is not occurring correctly, you will not be able to learn a TPMS. For "3", it is pretty evident - you will be able to tell if the vehicle is in "learn mode" or not. But for "1" and "2", there is no easy way to tell for most people. My suspicion was that my issue, most likely, was in "1" or "2" and, if anything, at least one of my new sensors was good, and very likely both were good. Result Cutting to the chase, both new sensors were good; however I had to do some messing around to get them to wake up and learn. It took a combination of valve stem/TPMS positioning on the vehicle, letting air out, using the TPMS tool and re-trying the learn procedure a handful of times. 6th Gen Camaro TPMS Learn/Relearn Required Tools -TPMS tool: the EL-50448 (learn tool) is the cheapest and most available, but an EL-46079 (learn/diagnostic tool) also works. Potentially Required Tools -Jack -Tire pressure gauge -Air pump/compressor/air tank Camaro TPMS Info -XL7 = 315 MHz
Procedure
*For the two, new front TPMS, my RF simply require the TPMS position to be at the 7-to-8-o'clock position. My LF required the TPMS to be positioned at 4-to-5-o'clock (it would not work at 7-to-8-o'clock) and me to attempt TPMS learning, while letting out air and activating the TPMS tool. I did not get the TPMS to directly activate, I had to re-start the entire TPMS learning and the TPMS was learned right away. My LF, RF and RR TPMS would learn with the TPMS tool antenna pointed at/toward the TPMS sensor, where my LR TPMS seemed to like the TPMS antenna point UP. Picture 1 is LF TPMS position. Picture 2 is RF TPMS position. Picture 3 is RR TPMS position. Picture 4 is LR TPMS position and the two ways to point the TPMS tool. |
07-03-2021, 03:37 PM | #2 |
Geoff
Drives: 2020 ZL1 Green Join Date: May 2013
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,743
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Thx for the write-up Mountain. I'll keep this tagged for reference
I must be really lucky, I'll take it. I set my stems at 12:00 and haven't had any issues even with the 8 track wheels and new TPMS sensors. Some input/support to the above. It usually takes quite a bit of pressure to seat the beads, once seated the pressure drops rapidly because the valve is not in the stem. This may wake them up
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07-05-2021, 06:46 AM | #3 |
Drives: Various! Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Central KY
Posts: 20
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Great write up! One thing I learned recently is that the newer cars require you to do just as you wrote - press and hold the “Select” button on the steering wheel after navigating to the TPMS screen with the car running. Older GM’s had you press two buttons on your remote at the same - not any more!
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Djcwardog
2021 Camaro LT1 MN6 WRS Package. GJ1 (Shadow Gray Met), H1T (Jet Black interior), NPP (Dual Mode Exhaust), Y3W (Tech Pkg), 5JX (20” black satin split-spoke wheels). Upgraded from IOS to IOT Radio. Hooker Blackheart No Crush Kit. Retrofit UHS Cluster and HUD. |
07-05-2021, 10:17 PM | #4 | |
Drives: 2017 SS 1LE, 2016 1SS (previous) Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Metro-Detroit
Posts: 1,863
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Quote:
Glad 12-o’clock works for you. My suggestions are only that - nothing definitive |
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07-07-2021, 12:21 AM | #5 |
Drives: 2017 Camaro 2SS, Fifty Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Delaware
Posts: 14
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Any suggestions if none of this works? Seems like when I do the relearn it doesn't let me get past my first sensor. It just never registers the first sensor. They're brand new wheels, tires, and sensors.
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08-19-2021, 10:51 AM | #6 |
Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE and 1991 Z28 Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: SF Bay but from the 808
Posts: 1,086
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Wow great write up. Thank you for the info. I plan on using my forged wheels i took off my 5th gen Z before selling them and using them on my 6th gen ZLE. I bought OEM tpms sensors back then and used them on the forged wheels. Do you know if the tpms sensors from a 5th gen Z will work with the 6th gen's?
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In the garage: 2018 HBM ZL1 1LE // 2013 ZL1 (sold) // 1991 Camaro Z28 5.7L // 2022 Audi E-tron SUV (wife's car) // 2002 Camaro SS (sold)
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08-19-2021, 08:55 PM | #7 |
Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012
Location: Mechanicsville, VA
Posts: 6,815
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on a 6spd car make sure the parking brake is set or this procedure will not work. You do not have to start the car but a long hold (5 sec) of the start button to get it in the "key on" position prior to relearn is necessary. Nice write up.
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'17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold) |
08-19-2021, 09:55 PM | #8 |
Drives: 2017 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Lakeland, Florida
Posts: 416
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I just did four new stems with the tool a couple of weeks ago, stems at all different positions and it took about 45 seconds and was done. I guess you never know what these damn cars will throw at you...
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Gary
2017 2SS A8 White, Bolt-Ons, Prayed Upon |
08-20-2021, 07:34 AM | #9 | |
Geoff
Drives: 2020 ZL1 Green Join Date: May 2013
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,743
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Quote:
If you want more details, go to my build thread, pg2 post 26. Sorry I’m on my phone and can’t figure out how to post the link.
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08-20-2021, 09:31 AM | #10 |
Petro-sexual
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Sticky'd because this thread wins.
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11-16-2021, 12:35 PM | #11 |
Drives: 20 1LE 2SS M6 Rally Green Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Franklin WI
Posts: 6,632
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I'm glad I found this. I will try the recommendation to wake up the sensors.
I tried three times to sync my winter tires to this car without success. I've done this without problem on past gen6 Camaros when swaying summer/winter tires. This time it wouldn't and I was wondering if I bought defective sensors.
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11-17-2021, 11:56 AM | #12 |
Drives: 2017 2SS, 50th pkg, M6, MRC, NPP Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Ocean City, NJ
Posts: 3,298
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Nice write-up. And that is my exact relearn tool I got from amazon.
Only thing I might add is never go near the metal wheel or the valve stem when aiming the tool at the sensor. Always make sure the RF signal is going through rubber. The pictures show the right way to do it. |
11-21-2021, 01:31 AM | #13 |
Drives: 2021 2SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 860
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Great write up and comments. I'll add one thing that I've had to learn from trial and error even though I was following all the other steps correctly:
Sometimes, the sensor will not interface right away with the learn tool. The best thing you can do in this situation (assuming you are already positioning the learning tool correctly) is just be patient, continue to hold the learning tool in that same position with the button depressed, and just wait a couple of extra seconds. I used to assume if the horn didn't beep within 1 second that I didn't have the tool in the correct position and would start to move the tool around slightly (changing the angle of the antena, where on the tire or rim it was touching, etc), usually do no affect. Sometimes is just takes a few extra seconds. And one other thing I don't think I saw in the write up, but is in the owner's manual procedure: The electric parking brake has to be on in order for the programming procedure to work. I've forgotten to do this before, and I think that you will be unable to initiate the learning procedure via the DIC (no 2 horn beeps) until the brake is set. |
11-26-2021, 04:10 PM | #14 |
Drives: 20 1LE 2SS M6 Rally Green Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Franklin WI
Posts: 6,632
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I tried to position the sensors as described and was able to get the front two to acknowledge but timed out at the first rears. New realization came when I started over and the front wouldn’t connect even though they had been woken. The TPMS acknowledged previously so why not immediately when I tried again. They were woken.
I bought a new sync tool this year because I couldn’t find (remodel house) the one I’ve owned and used twice a year since 2016. The old one synced immediately each of the nine times I changed the tires. I looked up the manufacture of the two tools. The one I just bought, and doesn’t work for shit, was made by Shenshengyi and cost $12.65 The previous one, that worked flawlessly, was manufactured by Bosch for GM, and cost $88.63 The problem I had here is the cheap tool. I bought a new Bosch tool and the sensors acknowledged and synced immediately even with the low battery flashing because I use an old battery https://www.autotoolworld.com/Kent-M..._p_198848.html The Bosch tool is on the right. It is larger and the orange surround is soft. Throw the other POS in the trash and buy a new Bosch unit
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"the trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.” Ronald Reagan - Last edited by hotlap; 11-26-2021 at 04:20 PM. |
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