Yesterday the tire pressure light lit up on my dash so I stopped at a gas station for air. Muuuuch to my surprise, I find the end of the valvestem on the right rear looks like someone tried to rip it off with a pliers. It's ALL kinds of effed up. Cap threads gnarled and partly broke off, stem bent and sticking out like 1/4 inch. I'm like whut thu... There's no curb rash on rim so the only explanation is vandalism. So...obviously, I can't air up my tire now.

My question is, do any of you guys know if the stem is removable to just replace that, or if the whole module needs to be replaced? The end of the stem where it goes into the rim has a hex on it like you could throw a wrench on it to unscrew from the sensor body. The dealership told me they're "pretty sure" the whole sensor has to be replaced and reprogrammed.

Damage to replace/unmount/remount/balance at stealership? $140

My trust in what the hacks at dealer service dept. tell me? 0%

And before any of you smartasses ask "Why don't you just go try to unscrew it?" If it DOES come off/unscrew, I lose all air pressure and want to avoid having to mount the spare tire and kill an hour. (No compressor here)

Thanks

 

The tpms sensor is servicable. Schrader part #20020 is the stem and part # 20013 is the service kit. They run about $3.50 each. Any tire shop should be able service the sensor for little more than tire balance. They shouldn't have to reprogram the sensor because its staying in the same location.

 

And there is your answer... don't you just love DF?!

Btw Racin, where ya been hiding man?!

 

Thanks man, I really appreciate it. My boy at the body shop is hookin me up. Parts ordered. Would still love to know how it happened. Especially since it's only 1 of 4...

lghtng, I been around man. Just not a lot to say lately I guess. Busy with work, hurricanes, and other stuff. :/

 

Sorry, silly question, do all 3rd gens come with TPMS????

 

Don't think so. As far as I know, certain package/trim models on the 08 and up do.

 

From what I remember, any vehicle built after September 2007 was required to have TPMS. ...Thanks to the federal government.

 

also, they wouldn't need to reprogram the TPMS, unless it was moved to a different vehicle. Somehow, the computer knows where these sensors are. I rotate the tires on the caliber every other oil change, and the TPMS knows where the tires are. I have one thats always a little lower pressure than the others, and it tracks that tire fine.

(I dont know why that tires loses a couple of PSI... I have used soapy water... it doesnt have a visible leak. lol)

 

I found out a few years ago that air can actually seep through the rubber over time, losing a slight amount of pressure. And then there's the well-known issue of pressure rising and falling from temperature changes and driving conditions. Part is supposed to be in today so we'll see about the reprogramming debate...

 

must be a dodge thing,when I was in the auto repair business I was well into programming tpms sensors (used the scanner and all those goodies)
the average chevy you had to go around the car/truck letting air out one by one and the car would honk when the tire would get low enough as you went around to each one.

just a big money game with em...but is well worth making mandatory