"Check System" TPMS ERROR - can't remove it. Batteries, or?
 

2008 GS450h (RHD UK version) 45,000 miles

With no prior warning or reason, after 10 miles driving alone* @ motorway speeds, a TPMS warning "Check System" flashed up. I checked tyre pressures - all fine, given they were warm.

I've not encountered this before. Of course I've had Low Tyre Pressure warnings, which usually meant that one of the tyres needed to be topped up, but occasionally/rarely were false warnings that went away by themselves.

This "Check System" error stayed on during the rest of the 70 mile drive. Now safe in a driveway, I went through the procedure in the instruction book - Power On, pressed/held down the "SET" button (which they describe as the TPMS warning reset button) located beneath the steering wheel, but no "PRESSURE INITIAL" error message appeared - the "Check System" error remained displayed throughout. Tried this a few times without success.

I checked if, by some miracle, the Main/2nd TPMS button under the glove box was on "2nd" (since there was no passenger, how could it - nothing could have touched it) - nope, it was on "Main". I tried Main -> 2nd - Main but this too didn't displace the "Check System" error.

Am I missing another fix, or does it sound to you as if one of the sensors (all the same age) has a low battery? If so, it would be sensible to put a brand new set of four in the car. The sensors are at least 6 years old and probably quite a bit more.

Thanks

I suspect a low battery on one or more of the sensors. A tire shop can scan for them individually with a tpms code reader.

Thanks. I know I cannot check for these using my Bluedriver app on my Android (which is paired with the Bluedriver gizmo plugged into the GS450h's OBD-II port).

Can the battery be changed, or is the sensor totally sealed?

And - what's the next most likely cause, please?

Well, they can be changed, but it is not an easy task... I did this few years ago and they are still working perfectly: https://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/fo...omment-1100161

Replacing them is much easier...

BR.Sami

Denso tpms sensors are only $35 each on rockauto, maybe if you take down the denso part number and contact your local denso agent maybe you can get a price close to that

If you are from Europe (your Location says London), note that the TPMS sensors in Europe uses different frequency than in the rest of the world. Europe=433MHz...

BR.Sami

Thanks.Mine has now been sorted at a clued-up local tyre specialist.

They used their gizmo to detect which sensor had a low battery (this without removing it first). Only one..

They removed it and, with the same gizmo, cloned its code on to a brand new sensor/valve, which was then fitted.

One press of the reinitialise pressures button (under the steering wheel, adjacent to the ODB-II port) and all's well.

Total cost £65+VAT, or about $100.

Just putting the ones that can be bought on aliexpress isn't enough - you either need to buy sensors which can be externally programmed (and then clone your existing one(s) with a special gadget) OR need the gadget to plug into the car's ODB-II port and reprogram the car to recognise the new sensors.

Just a hint to avoid another "Check System" light in the near future. Once one battery goes low, it won't be long before another will. If these are original and 15 years old, and I assume they are, the batteries/sensors are all due for replacement.

yep. This situation just happened to me recently. I went to discount tire where they SWORE they can program them. They changed all sensors for $181 out the door and that included a rotation and re balancing.

but guess what… their scanner was “having issues” and couldn’t program it. They said they would cover the cost of Toyota to program it. Drove to Toyota and since discounted used non denso sensors their scanner couldn’t pick up the serial number (which is required for programming). They had to dismount all 4 tires. Write down the serial number. Re balance and mount tires and the. Program. That alone cost $291. Took the receipt to discount and sure enough they reimbursed me …

just some info for the internet boys.

Thats why its always a good idea to bust out your phone and snap pics of the boxes or the sensors themselves just incase