I fixed my TPMS light, just going to tell the story in case it helps somebody in the future. I happen to have my own tire machine and access to a diagnostic computer via a friend, so some of this might be out of reach of the average DIYer, but I think it's useful to know a little more than the "hold the button on 'Initial' for 3 seconds" trick:
TL;DR: cheap TPMS sensors work fine 👍 but make sure you take note of their 7-digit IDs before having them installed (write them down and take pictures), and make sure the installer programs them into the car. You should not leave with a TPMS light on -- make them do it right.

The TPMS light in my 2006 IS 250 was on when I bought the car. It turns out one reason for this is I found the TPMS module sitting in a box of spare parts, but reinstalling this didn't help. I removed the tires and TPMS sensors, then took the sensors to a local tire shop to see if any of them were still good (they have tools that can check this) and they checked them for free 👌. All the sensors were toast, so I bought a set of 4 from eBay for $40 (specifically these https://www.ebay.com/itm/135400272012 if the link is still good -- or search part number 42607-33021). I've had bad experiences with cheap sensors, so I did my diligence and took the new sensors to the tire shop to verify they were all working.

An avoidable mistake occurred here -- the TPMS sensors have a 7-digit hexadecimal code on the back, and you must take note of these codes before installing the sensors.

Installed the sensors and tires, and the TPMS light was still on. I did YouTube the reset trick -- no good. Picked a new TPMS module from the junkyard ($20) -- no good.

Checked it with the diagnostic computer, and nothing was reading, but I was able to clear the light (which came back after ~50 miles, no surprise). It turns out that this car is very particular about sensor IDs and it does not learn them automatically. I pulled one tire off to get the sensor ID, tried entering it with the diagnostic computer, but no change -- you must have all 4 IDs ready or it won't take the new sensors. You can't enter fake values, 0000000, or the same sensor ID repeated for all 4 wheels. So I pulled the rest of the tires off to find the remaining IDs, put everything back together, and punched in the 4 IDs with the diagnostic computer. The IDs finally updated in the system and the sensors started reading pressures and temperatures. TPMS fixed! 🤘🎉

 

thanks for that ebay link. I need to get a set later this summer/fall when I put a winter set together for the GS. I contemplated disabling the TPMS system altogether (not hard), but cheap enough sensors make it worth keeping it around. I appreciate the link.

 

I like that you're a winter tires person - winter tires are amazing 🤘 and I guess I'm going to need to get another set of sensors for my own winter set.

Disabling would be one way to do it -- it was pretty nice having the trouble codes cleared for a bit lol.

Just make sure you write down the sensor IDs (or take a picture of them all). Here's a picture of one of my sensors, the ID is the 54B727F number.


Sensor with ID 54B727F

 

I used to be an avid skier, so snows were a must. For a while I was even a professional patroller in Vermont, had to get to the mountain sometimes before the plows rolled. Quattro and good tires are actually a joy to be savored.

I’m familiar with the ID requirement, but good you pointed it out. I have a Creader Elite so I can go in and do the TPMS programming. It’s capable of doing quite a lot of what Techstream can. I really am glad I have it as it’s paid for itself programming keys, etc.

 

I'll add my 2 cents worth to this.

Here in the UK, a car will fail its annual MoT (government) inspection if the TPMS light is lit. Lexus UK charge big sums for replacement sensors and together with labor charges for fitting could come to near $1,000. If one battery has expired, then the remaining three will be on the way out.

The issue I have found is that e-Bay sourced sensors may be good however compatibility between the sensors, the programming machine and the vehicle becomes an issue based on luck.

The answer? Go to Costco. They have the expertise to sort this using their own brand of sensors costing around $160 for a set of 4. Costco UK solved the issue on my IS250-C.

Hurray for Costco!

 

Ooh good tip on Costco 👍

eBay sensors are indeed a bit of a gamble. They worked out this time, but I don't mind paying a small premium for a better chance they will actually work, and local availability is a plus.

 

Costco in The San Francisco Bay Area did not work for me. They could not get their sensors to read and told me to go to the Lexus Dealer to see if they could get them to work.. So I had to go to my Lexus Dealer, they tried getting the Costco sensors to read and they culd not. They even had a hard time removing the Costco sensors for me to return to Costco. Lexus Dealer replaced them with OEM ones and those worked. I then went to Costco for a refund which they Honored. I wonder if the 7 digit code trick would have solved this.

 

Interesting. It's hard to say, since they weren't checked with a sensor tool beforehand. I only half trust (or less) the tire shop that checked mine, so until I borrowed the diagnostic computer and figured out the IDs, I was wondering if they flat out lied to me saying that they were all good. But yes, it is a bit more hassle if they're already in the tire.

Buying straight from Lexus is no doubt the most reliable way to go. I guess it still follows that you get what you pay for lol. Mine have obviously been remanufactured and I had my doubts, so I was going to return them if they didn't check out with the tire shop.