I blew out a tire a while back and when the shop was replacing it, they broke the TPMS sensor. Yesterday, they got in a new TPMS from tirerack. It looks just like the factory sensor with the BMW markings and the same frequency. They hooked it up but I can't get the system to reset I have reset the system in the past when I had all four ORIGINAl sensors, but now it won't reset. It will try for about 5 minutes and then it say that it is inactive. Since I have a new sensor do I have to take it to the dealer to have them reset it? Any help is appreciated since the dealer is about 2 hours away.

 

watching this thread.......

i had a shop just not re-install my tpms sensor on one wheel yesterday. I'm hoping they still have it...

 

I've had my system say inactive for a day or two when the weather changed but mine are all OEM sensors. IDK if that makes a difference or not but after the next time you drive it and the tires are warm turn the car off for 5 minutes and then back on and try to reset it and drive for a mile or so. It could just be a fluke....

Those TPMS sensors are kinda iffy.

 

I understand from reading these threads that you must reset the system, THEN drive the car for 5-10 minutes before it turns off the warning light.

 

I've done that. I have reset the system several times. It simply won't reset. It will try and then read "inactive" It has to be something with the new TMPS, I just don't know what

 

you try calling the service department of the shop you got your mini at yet?

they're going to try to convince you to bring it in, but you might be able to get some info out of them.

 

back from the dead....

any luck?

OP, do you know what the frequency was?

the shop that screwed mine up still hasn't fixed it because they "can't determine what valve stem to buy." They had to take one of the good wheels apart to find out what the color of the sensor was.... whatever.

I am in possession of the replacement sensor until this all gets fixed, just wondering what frequency was the correct one, because I don't think this shop knows what they're doing.

 

I believe and im not sure on this (reading general websites about the TPMS) that any time you get a new sensor you have to go to the dealer and have them program the car to recognize the signal from the new sensor. each sensor has an individual "code" it sends to the car. from the factory your car was programmed to only recognize the 4 snesors that came with the car. otherwise driving down the road it would pick up the signals from everyother car on the road with the new government mandated TPMS system. the scary thing about those is that since they have individual "codes" the government can set up recievers along the highway, toll booths what have you to A. track you and B. get your speed. and since again they are individual they know who you are(if they had a database set up with everyones codes). and the really scary part is...if lets say a bad guy gets the code from oh i dunno the presidents' limo with TPMS they could make a roadside bombor car bomb with a scanner set to go off only when that particular TPMS sensor passes by. interesting stuff. But back on topic if you havent gotten it resolved talk to the dealer they should hook you up.

 

My ETK shows 433MHz for the R56, doesn't matter if it's a Cooper or a Cooper S.
You should find another shop...or get the part yourself. All your dealer needs to know is the last seven digits of your VIN, and the factory wheel style(R102,R103,R104 etc). That will tell them the part number of the valve stem. No need to break down any of the other wheels.

 

well, i will never be going back to this shop again, but they're paying for all of this so if it means I have to wait an extra week or whatever, I don't really care.

I think I'll be going to the mini dealership (or mini/bmw specific shop) for all of my work from now on, since they know what they're doing.

I'll give the dealership a call and get the valve stem part number for the shop, so that they don't screw it up. Thankfully the sensor does say 433MHz.

 

I'm too sure about that, I just added some aftermarket wheels, with Beru sensors from Tire Rack. I did the TMPS reset procedure, and it worked as advertised. I hit reset, the light stayed on, I drove a few miles then it went out, just as advertised.

There was no dealer "coding" of the sensor (in my case, sensors) involved.

Just an FYI.

 

Seconded. No coding needed.

 

i stand corrected, ignore my post then

 

I got it fixed. It was a lot easier than the shop made it for me. Tirerack sent a sensor for a 2006 MINI. The shop didn't know any different and went ahead and installed it. I ordered a new sensor (08) and had it installed. No more issues.

It is the Beru sensor with the 433 frequency. I simply reset the sensor from the steering wheel stalk.

 

^good to know, that's what I've got sitting in my glove compartment!

Now they just have to get me a valve stem.

 

From clayvt, 1-3-09, 2:31pm:

"...the scary thing about those is that since they have individual "codes" the government can set up recievers along the highway, toll booths what have you to A. track you and B. get your speed. and since again they are individual they know who you are(if they had a database set up with everyones codes). and the really scary part is...if lets say a bad guy gets the code from oh i dunno the presidents' limo with TPMS they could make a roadside bombor car bomb with a scanner set to go off only when that particular TPMS sensor passes by..."

From clayvt, 1-4-09, 1:00 am:

...i stand corrected, ignore my post then...

No, the scary part is that you would make up all that nonsense and post it on this forum as fact.