How To Test TPMS Sensor Battery Properly: 4 Best Ways

When your sensor battery has problems, it is important to know how to test TPMS sensor battery. This will help you check if the battery life is still long and whether its performance is good.

However, you don’t know where and how you should start. This article will give you a complete guide on the simple process of checking TPMS sensor battery. Let’s get started.

What Is A TPMS Sensor Battery?

How To Test TPMS Sensor Battery Properly

Does TPMS have a battery? Yes. It is the power of the system that monitors the tire pressure.

This TPMS system uses RF, or radio frequency tech, to deliver the tire inspection pressure that it’s measured to the ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

If the proper pressure of one tire or more is lower than about 25% of the producer’s recommendation, the warning light will warn you of the under-inflated tire pressure.

Sometimes, you might hear the car sounds like it has a flat tire, but it actually doesn’t. So, it’s best to rely on the warning light.

The tire pressure monitoring sensor system often uses a li-ion battery of 3 volts. Some other TPMS get the power of a nickel-metal hydride battery of 1250 volts.

The batteries will be attached to a molded plastic housing for the TPMS sensor to work. Thus, you need to replace TPMS if the battery is low or drained.

How To Test TPMS Sensor Battery

Check TPMS Warning Light

Check TPMS Warning Light

A warning light is a TPMS battery checker that allows you to detect potential problems in your automotive system. This checker will tell you if your sensor battery is low and needs to be replaced.

When the TPMS light turns on, you can check the sensor battery to find the problems. This warning battery light is on to alarm you of the malfunctions of TPMS system.

You can recognize a faulty TPMS system through this warning light on most automotive systems.

The light will flash for 60-90 seconds. It is a visible sign of the malfunctioning TPMS battery system that you need to fix or change.

Use A TPMS Diagnostic Tool

Use A TPMS Diagnostic Tool

You can test TPMS sensor battery easily by using a TPMS diagnostic tool.  With this TPMS tool, you may directly access the automotive engine to check the status of clear sensors and faulty diagnostic codes.

This scan tool permits you to activate and read TPMS sensor signals and information before starting your vehicle.

It will support you in determining the troubles that happen to the TPMS system, including the battery. You can detect the low or failed battery by activating the diagnostic tool.

Replace With A New TPMS Sensors

After checking the TPMS sensor system and finding its malfunctions with a TPMS battery tester, you need to change to a new one. This will improve and upgrade your engine’s performance.

You should also replace a faulty TPMS sensor before performing the relearning process. You can swap the damaged TPMS system with an aftermarket or OE sensor replacement.

Various aftermarket TPMS sensors exist, including programmable, configurable, universal, and sensors. The OE sensor is configurable and versatile sensor transmissions with a new ID encoded in the system.

You can activate it with the TPMS diagnostic tool. Programmable TPMS sensors also ask TPMS diagnostic tools to create new sensor IDs or send the old sensor IDs.

Check the Manufacturing Date Codes On Battery

Check the Manufacturing Date Codes On Battery

The TPMS sensor battery manufacturing date code is important for the vehicle driver to determine the battery’s power problems.

This code often includes a four-digit number found on the battery’s sticker or stamped on its box. The manufacturing date is useful in checking how old a sensor battery is and if it is in its shelf life.

Thereby, you can not charge the old or dead batteries instead of changing the newer sensor batteries. It is significant to improve the entire sensor battery life when you often use it.

Below is a complete guide to checking the manufacturing date codes for most sensor batteries.

Read the first two letters. The first code indicates the battery type, and the second code shows the factory code. You won’t want to ignore the two important signs.

Continue checking the next two letters. The third code letter mentions the month the sensor battery was created.

The fourth numerical code illustrates the year the vehicle manufacturer produced the automotive battery.

FAQs

Do Tire Pressure Sensors Have Batteries?

Yes, they do. Tire pressure sensors use the battery to maintain power and performance for a long operation.

If you see the warning light in the system, you should check whether the battery is low or dead to charge or replace.

Their performance also depends on the battery’s quality. Thus, you should consider a good type of battery with a durable shelf life to maintain your automotive operation.

Imagine you hear a womp womp tire noise. But you are not sure whether the tires are over- or under-inflated. Without the help of the tire pressure sensor, this could be a nuisance.

Can You Change Battery In TPMS Sensor?

Yes, you can. You can use a 3-volt lithium-ion battery to power the TPMS sensors.

Besides, 1250-volt NiMH batteries are suitable for some TPMS systems. The entire TPMS sensor must be replaced if the battery is dead.

How Long Does TPMS Battery Last?

TPMS batteries can last about 5-10 years or 60,000-80,000 miles. Yet, the lifespan also depends on various factors.

If you live in a tropical place,  they have a shorter shelf life than in cold environments. Other factors are how often you take a drive and road conditions.

What Causes The TPMS Low Battery? 

The main reasons for the TPMS low battery are load, ambient temperature, poor capacity, or age.

Thus, you should replace these batteries when they fail to maintain the best condition for your automotive engine.

Conclusion

You’ve got the step-by-step guide on how to test TPMS sensor battery in the above article. The TPMS sensor battery can fail due to various reasons and factors.

Thus, checking it regularly to find the root causes is essential. It will help you determine the best solutions for your battery, such as fixing it or replacing it with a new one.

This will improve your engine system and maintain your vehicle’s operation for a longer time.

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