Hello for a long long time i have been looking at that yello/orange light telling me a i have a low tire. Im going to fix it.
My code reader says front left RDC control unit.
It will not allow me to erase the code.
When i go throug the reset procedure it says inactive.
I have rotated the tires and it still says the front left...but thats what it remembers as its inactive now.
Obviously there is a mdule of some sort that controls this system...is it called the RDC control unit?
Could there be something as simple as a blown fuse as this car was in an accident and i repaired it. Hit in front left.

thanks in advance for some help

 

I have one of my sensors that acts funny when the temp goes below 20F, and the message is 'inactive'. When it gets above about 30F, then the sensor resets itself.

I run about 38 psi in my car, and after I reset the system I have to drive for a couple of miles to allow the system to reset. What pressure is in your tires now?

Did you have trouble with the system before the accident?

Mike

 

I am the second owner and the first owner kept it at the dealer for anything! So wi would assume it worked fine for her.
So after the accident it has never worked.
Im running whatever the sticker says im suppose to have for air pressure.
I just dont think its just one sensor, my thoughts is somehting is unplugged going to the control module and i dont know where it is.
I have mitchellondemand and alldata but neither have any good info regarding this.

 

I could be wrong here but I dont think the TPMS system will tell you which wheel is faulting like on some cars. Just that it is faulting.

I think someone like DiscountTire etc. have handheld units that can check each wheel and tell you which one is faulting or the entire system.

 

If there is a fault, it will not tell you the location. And as I discovered, only the newer vehicle software builds will show which tire is reading low.

Twice in the past month going over a bump my TPMS system briefly gave me an inactive warning. It immediately cleared itself. Ugh...

 

if (i say if because i do not know) your 2008 models have the TMPS system that has pressure sensors inside the tires like my 2012 model, i have asked and been told that the battery life of the sensor in the tire is expected to be 5 years


2008 --> 2013 is 5 years

you may need new sensors as the batteries are not replaceable

these are the parts for my 2012 model



part #4 is the pressure sensor/transmitter that is inside the tire

part #5 is the valve stem where you check tire pressure/add air

part #1 is the receiver

scott

 

bmwr606 - great advice .


Make sure you can clear all the codes and have the tire pressure correct. Then you can determine what it is if it shows a new fault with that code.

There is a sensor made from 8/2007 - 9/2009 and then a sensor made from 9/2009 +

The sensors can sometimes not respond. Or get damaged usually from a tire shop trying to install a new tire.

Same with the receiving unit from 8/2007 - 9/2009 and then a receiving unit made from 9/2009 +

The wheel mounted sensor have a much higher fail rate then the control units.

Thanks and let me know if you need anything.

 

Thanks for all the posts, i have searched google, mitchell on demand, alldata etc.
Does anyone know where item #1 in the above photo, the receiver is located on a 08 r56?

 

Starting with the 2008 model year, every vehicle is required by US law to have the radio sensor TPMS system.

My battery levels are still above 50% on most wheels (DIS shows the battery level) .

The RDC module itself is in the boot on the left side, if you pull off that panel and look towards the front of the car you will see a white box with a BMW logo on it.

But I don't remember where the antenna is. The online WDS is not working anymore, that service pinpoints all of the locations of the components.

 

the only "battery level" i can imagine getting via RF from the TPMS system is voltage

if your voltage is at 50%, the battery is at end-of-life

typically coin-cell batteries hold their original, new voltage until ~95% discharged, then the voltage falls rapidly as the battery is further discharged

i see new TPMS pressure sensor/transmitters as your fix

scott

 

WOW do i feel dumb having to ask....where or what is the "boot" in the car?
Thanks

 

The "boot" is in between the backseats and the rear hatch door!!

 

thank you....guess i will still need to find the antenna to make sure its not broken as well.