False info TPMS
12-04-2015, 04:53 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 08-03-2010
Location: Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
Posts: 3,564
False info TPMS
Every now and then I get "low tire pressure" and the orange indicator light comes on for it. Scroll thru the menu to see that every tire has the correct pressure.
Shut the car off and restart and phantom problem goes away.
Anybody ever have this happen to them?
Shut the car off and restart and phantom problem goes away.
Anybody ever have this happen to them?
12-04-2015, 08:35 PM
#3
Administrator
Join Date: 10-13-2011
Location: Welland,Ont Canada
Posts: 36,583
This sounds familiar , like when the battery is on it's way south! Have your charging system checked and your battery load tested, also check your ground wire connections, and please report back to help others.
12-05-2015, 05:53 AM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 08-03-2010
Location: Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
Posts: 3,564
32 psi in tires.
"correct pressure" as per screen display.
12-05-2015, 06:07 AM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 08-03-2010
Location: Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
Posts: 3,564
For curiosity sake I'll look to see if there is a date code on the battery. I did buy my car from a Chevy dealer a little over a year ago. It is pre-certified but who knows if they installed a new battery before they sold it to me.
12-05-2015, 08:19 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: 08-24-2012
Location: State of Confusion, U.S.A.
Posts: 177
Troubleshooting is most often done by going through a bunch of " could be .. ", verifying that they are good or bad. Trick is knowing what the " could be ... " are !!!
may have enough battery to start, but car computers need specific voltages. Maybe during start, voltages dip and computer faults. 2nd starts easier, not as much V drop, computer good. That's why you need to know if the battery/charging is up to snuff. then you can check that off & go to step #2 ... & #3 .... etc.
Another " C/B " ... TPMS sensor / batteries? going bad sensor, low voltage , bad connection ? don't know of any remote diagnostics, may need to physically access (PITA!) each one to verify.
Electrical gremlins are a PITA to track down ...
good luck & keep us informed .. your fix will be the next " could be " when someone else got the weird stuff happening!
may have enough battery to start, but car computers need specific voltages. Maybe during start, voltages dip and computer faults. 2nd starts easier, not as much V drop, computer good. That's why you need to know if the battery/charging is up to snuff. then you can check that off & go to step #2 ... & #3 .... etc.
Another " C/B " ... TPMS sensor / batteries? going bad sensor, low voltage , bad connection ? don't know of any remote diagnostics, may need to physically access (PITA!) each one to verify.
Electrical gremlins are a PITA to track down ...
good luck & keep us informed .. your fix will be the next " could be " when someone else got the weird stuff happening!
12-05-2015, 10:26 AM
#7
Administrator
Join Date: 10-13-2011
Location: Welland,Ont Canada
Posts: 36,583
I mentioned it as mentioned above. To start from the primary root of the electrical system.
I've seen it cause issues with the door locks , radio, auto dim mirror, the list goes on, just trying to start you in a direction from the base to the peak, as it's not safe to climb a ladder every other rung, so take one rung at a time.
I've seen it cause issues with the door locks , radio, auto dim mirror, the list goes on, just trying to start you in a direction from the base to the peak, as it's not safe to climb a ladder every other rung, so take one rung at a time.
12-06-2015, 09:10 AM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 08-03-2010
Location: Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
Posts: 3,564
This phantom problem occurs when driving. Meaning the car starts fine (hot or cold). I have yet to check actual voltage at the battery before and at start up to see voltage difference (voltage drop).
As far as tire pressure vs the read out on the dash it's this:
Tire Dash
LF 28 24
RF 30 31
LR 30 31
RR 30 30
I'm leaning towards the LF sensor because at times this sensor will not read at all. When you look at the dash read out it's just a line (---). Indicator light comes on for tire pressure also.
I do have a very good scanner (Auto XRay AX7000) that I can look to see any possible codes and check my charging system with.
I'm in the auto trade for 45 years just as some back ground info.
I know the HHR can have problems of one sort or another. Just thought someone else has had this problem.
The other thing I'm going to look into is this "clunking" sound while going slow over bumps. it almost sounds to me like it's from the firewall area.
Another thought is there might be a valving problem in the front struts that can possibly cause this at low oscillations.
My car has 29K on it. I've paid attention to this for the last 3 months now.
As far as tire pressure vs the read out on the dash it's this:
Tire Dash
LF 28 24
RF 30 31
LR 30 31
RR 30 30
I'm leaning towards the LF sensor because at times this sensor will not read at all. When you look at the dash read out it's just a line (---). Indicator light comes on for tire pressure also.
I do have a very good scanner (Auto XRay AX7000) that I can look to see any possible codes and check my charging system with.
I'm in the auto trade for 45 years just as some back ground info.
I know the HHR can have problems of one sort or another. Just thought someone else has had this problem.
The other thing I'm going to look into is this "clunking" sound while going slow over bumps. it almost sounds to me like it's from the firewall area.
Another thought is there might be a valving problem in the front struts that can possibly cause this at low oscillations.
My car has 29K on it. I've paid attention to this for the last 3 months now.
12-06-2015, 09:46 AM
#9
Platinum Member
Join Date: 12-06-2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 11,110
Sounds like the LF sensor battery maybe be going bad. That battery being 5-6 years old may have used up it's life sooner than the other 3.
Fwiw. I think (but can't remember) that a reading below 27 psi will trigger the warning light on the dash.
The LF showing a false 24 psi may be the reason for your warning light.
Now. To go RE-AIR up the tires on my SS. I was adding some air yesterday thanks to Winter's cooler weather.
Long story short. My air gauge went on the fritz and was giving out crazy fluctuating readings.
Opened the gauge up and found a leaking battery. In the trash it went !
Picked up another air gauge at the store last night. Let the car sit overnight. Now I'll go back out and try again.
Fwiw. I think (but can't remember) that a reading below 27 psi will trigger the warning light on the dash.
The LF showing a false 24 psi may be the reason for your warning light.
Now. To go RE-AIR up the tires on my SS. I was adding some air yesterday thanks to Winter's cooler weather.
Long story short. My air gauge went on the fritz and was giving out crazy fluctuating readings.
Opened the gauge up and found a leaking battery. In the trash it went !Picked up another air gauge at the store last night. Let the car sit overnight. Now I'll go back out and try again.