I am really annoyed with that whol TPMS sensors. I am used to checking my tire pressure on a monthly basis since it is part of what makes your car safe.

Anyways, now that I own a 2008 caravan, I have no choice but to deal with them. So... my question...

I want to be a used set of OEM mags for my 2008 caravan for winter tires. The set that I am looking at come with OEM TPMS already installed with good winter tires on them so no need to take to the shop.

So do I need to take my car with these sensors to have them programmed at the dealership? If so, how much is that going to cost me? Is there anyway I can program them myself?

Thanks.

 

edit:


I decided to revise my response because I'm finding too much inconsistent information and can't trust anything.

On my 2008 Grand Caravan, I have not tried to swap to a second set of wheels with different sensors. I have also not tried to rotate wheels. Therefore I have no first hand information and can't accurately predict what will happen when you try to install a second set of wheels with used OEM sensors.

It appears that some "older" vehicles need special tools to put the vehicle's computer into the relearn mode. Some of those older vehicles also require a tech to punch the TPMS code of the new sensor into a special tool and upload it to the vehicle. This service is offered by dealers for about $150 and some tire shops will do it as cheaply as $5 per wheel if you bought the tires from them. This may apply to some 2007 and older Chrysler products.

However I question whether this is really necessary on 2008 and up Grand Caravan. After reading a lot of information on the internet and in my factory Chrysler Service Manual, it appears the system goes into learn mode every time the car is driven. It "should" automatically accept TPMS changes on it's own without fuss, so long as the sensors are still factory OE style or equivalent. I know for a fact it gracefully accepts a new TPMS wheel sensor because I replaced one MYSELF. Perhaps it will also accept tire rotations and wheel swaps every spring and fall without having to use costly programmers or reset tools.

The only guy I saw struggling with Grand Caravan Gen5 TPMS alarms on this forum was trying to run a second set of wheels with no TPMS sensors installed. I have no clue why he did that and couldn't understand why he was complaining about the random dash alarms he got. The system is not designed to operate without sensors. Dorman and Schrader sell the TPMS sensors new for $20 each so they are quite affordable.

The cheaper scanners only read TPMS sensor data. They will not reset the vehicle computer (WIN in this case). For 2008 and up Grand Caravan, the tool would probably only be useful for someone trying to troubleshoot the system to see which TPMS sensor is bad. When you have a TPMS dash alarm, it's hard to diagnose without a tool. Batteries start going bad in TPMS sensors after about 5-7 years, so we'll soon be seeing troubles of that sort. My TPMS sensors are corroded to the point that valves inside can't be unscrewed anymore.

 

If you are going to buy rims and tpms try to get them for the same model year. Around 2008 Chrysler changed the frequency on some the TPMS sensors from 315 to 433 Mhz. This true for the LX series cars, 300,Charger and Magnum. I'm not sure this is the case for the Caravans or not but the 2008 Caravan is a 433 frequency. The Chrysler system does not need any dealer input to activate the sensors. 20 minutes of driving at speeds above 15 mph will be all that is needed.
I swap winter/summer tires all the time on our 2012 Caravan, 2010 Challenger, 2008 300C and a 2006 300C. Never had a problem.

 

HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for posting.


This is the FIRST post I've found that speaks directly to whether two sets of Gen 5 GC wheels can be rotated without shop tool reprogramming. I suspect your post will apply to all later model Chrysler/Dodge vehicles that have TPMS with a WIN ignition mode module and 433mhz system. Vehicles with WIN use an all plastic remote control fobik where the tip is plastic (not a metal key) where it goes into the ignition switch hole to start the vehicle.


ALL Gen 5 Dodge Caravan are 433 with WIN.


PS: I believe this rule will be true for all Gen 5 GC's that have original equipment TPMS sensors in the wheels or "exact replacement" TPMS Sensors sold by Chrysler, or aftermarket mfrs Dorman or Schrader.


Some independent tire shops install what is referred to as a "universal" TPMS sensor. They are bastardized and therefore require a coding tool. I will be steering clear of those shops and providing plug-and-play Dorman or Schrader OE style TPMS if one fails.

 

In case anyone was wondering. Some Chryslers, starting from 2005 had auto-learn with the 315 Mhz system as well. The LX series (300, Charger and Magnum) are in this group for sure. I swap three sets of rims on my 300 without problems.


As a side note, I've read that a blinking TPMS light indicates a system fault while a steady light means low pressure. Fault is a flashing light for 60 seconds every 10 minutes.

 

So All I have to do is get at set of RIMS with TPMS from another Caravan 2008, and then just swap and drive? No need to get a programming tool? What would be awesome. If I had to get aftermarket TPMS, would it work the same? I am used to always having two sets of rims, one for summer then one for winter and just swapping out the set every spring and fall. And got suggestions for reliable aftermarket TPMS? There are so many!!!

 

If they are factory TPMS, or one of the exact clones, yes. Schrader makes two clones: one that looks like the factory part with a metal stem (part # 28155), and another that is in fact a metal stem but rubber covered so it looks like a rubber stem (part # 28434). After one of the pot metal factory stems snapped off, I replaced all 4 TPMS with the Schrader rubber coated stem TPMS. Drive for 10 minutes, they are detected and the dash light goes off, simple as can be. After the bad experience with the factory TPMS (Siemens), I decided to go with the rubber coated Schrader. Our van is a '08 T&C 3.3L/41TES with 16" wheels.

 

As long as the rims are from a working 2008 and above Mopar van you're good. Just bolt em on and go. Dorman 433 MHz for a 2008, from RockAuto.com would be my recommendation for aftermarket.


I do the swap rims like you do but I have 4 MoPars and a GM to do. Time to train my kids.


A fun note is that ALL 2005+ Euro versions of the Chrysler TMPS system are 433 Mhz. They never used the 315 Mhz version. I wonder why.