DIY TPMS at home as cost effectively as possible

FabricGATOR · Aug 20, 2017

Hello readers, drivers, DIYer's, the curious, and fellow innovators,

I'm a new guy here. I have been maintaining my mom's Town and Country for years when I would visit her some 700 miles north.

Upon her recent and unexpected passing, I inherited her vehicle and I am beginning to just love this vehicle. It is cathodic for me to fix up and preserve her van as it is kinda my way of not letting her go just yet. Although I do feel some guilt in that some of these bothersome discrepancies are only important now to fix as it is I that have to drive it.

The TPM "Service Tire System Soon" was something that bugged her, as it does us all. Being forced upon us by a caring and helpful government for our safety and in the best interest of the environment and conservation of fuel... blah blah blah

I have read about it here, researched, considered etc. This is the path I plan to take:

There are many sensors to choose from. I can not find any real hard evidence that says one is better than another, so I choose OEM. If Chrysler chose it so do I.
Part number 52088990AC
These run about $60 - $75 online plus shipping.

I found evidence that suggested that Schrader was the original manufacturer for Chrysler:
Part number 20028
These run about $50 - $55 online, $35 on Amazon is a fair deal, I guess.

I found these when I googled the 52088990AC Chrysler P/N on AliExpress.com
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4Pc...lve-Monitor-Sensor-52088990AC-for-Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Schrader/32824064486.html

They are most likely knock-off's, clones, OR, these are manufactured in China for Schrader, UK
I will report my sentiments when I get them. I paid $50 dollars for four (4) with shipping included. Note that when we view the picture that they do not appear to include the nut. I suspect that they will, but I will have to find out in a few weeks.

Installation: I could take them to a tire shop... or I could attempt it myself!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Maunq29ow2U

This looks doable and somewhat easy enough as I have a couple of 2X4's and an air compressor. Again, I will report my progress after I have mastered these helpful skills.
PS: there are additional ways to break a tire bead at home, this one just looks like the best.

It is my understanding that on my 2002-2003 TnC van, that the TPMS will learn the sensors after a short trip over 15mph for so many minutes. There is also a learn magnet that you go through a procedure with the EVIC.

Here is the best price I found for the magnet on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Schrader-201...M9A61EC57G95J686&pd_rd_w=4Zu6w&pd_rd_wg=UXFWL&psc=1&refRID=Y4S4M9A61EC57G95J686
$18.25 and after I will store this magnet in the vehicle jack storage area so I know where it is.
I also think that I can scavenge a round ring magnet from a small speaker somewhere and I remember buying some ring magnets for a prototype I was building at Radio Shack several years back. It is worth the $20 not to have to look through my garage...

And last, if the AliExpress transducers do not have a nut, I can reuse my existing nuts or they can be purchased on Amazon complete with new silver (nickle) valve core, gasket, and cap.
https://www.amazon.com/Schrader-200...M9A61EC57G95J686&pd_rd_w=4Zu6w&pd_rd_wg=UXFWL&psc=1&refRID=Y4S4M9A61EC57G95J686

So, total anticipated expense for four new TPM transducers 433 Mhz $53.53
A TPMS training magnet (that I should have anyway) $18.25 (and a share on my Prime membership)(covers shipping)
Additional $12 if I need the installation kits (nuts)
So for about $84 dollars some sweat and struggle, and a few BandAids, I may have four new tire sensors a magnet tool, and some satisfaction in doing it without a trip to the stealership...

Stay tuned. Check back in a few weeks to see how it turns out.

FabricGATOR · Aug 20, 2017

As I was closing out my research tabs in my browser, I found this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TPMS-Sensor...3e5586268e&pid=100005&rk=6&rkt=6&sd=142394123900&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

In hind sight, which is usually 20/20, now that I have conceded to go over to the dark side, I probably would have ordered these and saved an additional $5.
If I am going to put china sensors in my tires, I might as well get the best priced china sensors out there. And these show that they come with the new nuts AND they are shipping from within US from Texas.

Cest' La Vie

Joel_B · Aug 20, 2017

Yeah I did all this too over the past 12 months, both on my 2003s and a 2004. 2001-2003 require the ring magnet to train the sensor and are a different transmit frequency than the 2004-up sensors.

I bought all of my Shrader sensors and rebuild kits from RockAuto. They were clearancing the 01-03 sensors awhile back and may still be clearancing the '04+ sensors. I'm talking like $27ish a sensor.

One thing you might consider; my local Firestone will install their sensors for $100ish out the door, and sometimes you can talk them down to $80 if you have a coupon in your hand. Other shops might be equivalent. If your total cost is near that value, you might be better off doing it that way.

Installation: I ended up finding a mom and pop commercial tire shop near my house and we worked out a deal that I would bring the loose tires, they'd open them up on their machine, I'd replace the sensor, then they'd button it back up. Since I had several to do we worked out a volume price that made everybody happy.

This magnet worked perfectly on my '03 and is cheap.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TPMS-MAGNET-TRAINING-RESET-TOOL-FORD-CHRYSLER-CORVETTE-/162479963207?hash=item25d48f7c47:m:mC9ZESnBxUu-gY5bcqLHgOg

If you really want to be cheap you can just buy one sensor, take the one you removed, and dig out the black goop and replace the watch battery that powers it. Then recaulk and you're done. My guess is probably a 2032 style battery. I have a few of these laying around and one day I'll dig it open to see.

blknblu · Aug 21, 2017

This was a good read:
Changing TPMS Sensor Batteries
http://www.tirereview.com/changing-tpms-sensor-batteries/

I would only go with the Schrader TPMS units. They are the OEM manufacturer for a large percentage of cars.

FabricGATOR · Aug 23, 2017

blknblu said:
...I would only go with the Schrader TPMS units. They are the OEM manufacturer for a large percentage of cars.

I certainly agree/
If it were any other system or component OTHER than these PIA government mandated financial hardship devices, I would always use OEM parts. Mopar for Mopar, unless there is a deficiency in the Mopar parts or engineering.

I am kinda doing this as an experiment to see if this can:
A) be done for a much more reasonable price than what I have found.
AND
B) can this be completed by a handy shade tree mechanic with standard tools (ie, no need for dealership or tire company to install or program / repair / restore the TPMS system on my 2002 Town and Country Limited.

*So, I was able to catch and cancel my $53.53 purchase, direct from China (via AliExpress) and purchase the same cheap imitation china schrader clones from the Texan on eBay for $42.67. That is less that $10.75 per sensor, folks!

For $102 dollars total, I purchased 4x) TPMS sensors, 1x) a programming magnet tool, 2x) new key FOB shells, 1x) a new key FOB complete, and 2x) new rear hatch struts. I paid with PayPutz credit and got 6 months free finance (if I pay in full on time).

All that junk should arrive by next week. Could just be the best one hundred dollar I have spent in a while!
Then, again, maybe not...

FabricGATOR · Aug 23, 2017

Ar, George, you are right!

Oh, I know how this happened, I goofed it up!
Nice catch georgef

Here is the set of four:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/142394123900

I know how I did it and it is my thrift that was my downfall...
After I found them from a US seller, I did an additional search to see if some of that data would find an even better deal.

George, I have said it before and I'll say it again,
There are many times I wish I had a crystal in place of my navel...

... this way when I have my head, that far up my rear, I could still be able to look out and see where I am going!

Thank you my friend, It appears that this eBay vendor is selling out of the four pack for $53.00 That is just $13.25 a sensor, folks!

Hurry, last one, but I can not endorse (like that is worth much) until I see what I get and how they work.
Caio

FabricGATOR · Aug 23, 2017

And here is a single sensor for $14.00
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-TPM59A-...f6a511e7c01b&pid=100167&rk=1&rkt=15&sd=302331033978&_trksid=p5411.c100167.m2940

Arg.. mailing that one back is going to cut into my thrifty nature like a hot knife in a 70ºF tub of "I Can't Believe it's Not Butter". That'll teach me to eBay before coffee.:jpshakehe

FabricGATOR · Aug 26, 2017

Sensors arrived today. They appear to be of a serviceable quality.

Four for $53.53 included shipping...:thumb:

FabricGATOR · Aug 27, 2017

So, I found a couple of small magnets with a hole in the middle that I had from a prototype I was developing. The prototype never did work and neither did these magnets work for the EVIC

I deleted this post in response to having my knuckles swatted by an administrator with a ruler.

I had some daylight left so I using the vehicle supplied jack, I removed the right rear tire. With an 6-7 foot length of 2X4 and another hank of wood dunnage, I was able to work it as a pry bar aroun

I deleted this post in response to having my knuckles swatted by an administrator with a ruler.

que the aluminum nut to 35 inch pounds per the Schrader installation manual for this make and model Town and Country. (google and ye shall find) For those who don't know torque values or those who do not know the Ip conversion, there are 12 inch pounds in a foot pound.

I deleted this post in response to having my knuckles swatted by an administrator with a ruler.

aluminum nut with the fine threads. A firm hand tighten with a screw driver attachment on your socket should be plenty. You can always tighten it more if it might be leaking.

I aired up the tire, no, I did not use any dish soap like YouTube boy said to do. I carefully allowed the tire bead to gently pass my new sensor without damaging it and then shot some air

I deleted this post in response to having my knuckles swatted by an administrator with a ruler.

el.. about 1 hour 45 minutes. Using things that every shade tree mechanic has readily available.

I deleted this post in response to having my knuckles swatted by an administrator with a ruler.

Cheers!:ninja:

FabricGATOR · Aug 27, 2017

BTW, I forgot to mention, after I removed the wheel from the vehicle, I used a valve core remover and let the air out by removing the core.

You will want to leave the core out while you work the tire be

I deleted this post in response to having my knuckles swatted by an administrator with a ruler.

FabricGATOR · Aug 27, 2017