Scanners can't communicate with the TPMS sensor, and the exclamation mark is visible on the dash. Diagnosis: TPMS module is dead. So I need to replace it, and I've found a used one for a good price.

But I've seen seemingly contradictory methods for removing the head unit on YouTube. My question:

Do you have to remove the ash tray and the centre gear shift console before removing the vents and the stereo head unit in order to get at the TPMS module? Or can you skip the ash tray/console removal and go right to the vents and head unit?

 

If you want to remove the head unit, you need to remove the ashtray because there are 2 10mm nuts behind it, and to remove the ashtray, you need to popup the gear shifter console. The TMPS module is on top of the head unit. Potentially you could try to remove just the vents, and you should see the TMPS module attached to the head unit and try to replace like that ... but might be hard to do -- not sure. Easiest is to remove the head unit.

 

Hmmm, see what you mean. As for just removing the vents, I imagine it would be awkward trying to reach in to unplug the module.

 

How do you know the TPMS module died and not the sensors?

 

Mechanic confirmed the sensors in the wheels are functioning, but no scanner could communicate with the module, he tried four different scanners. Do you have an opinion on this? Please share.

 

Not really; a lot of people confuses the sensors vs the module being broken. The module could very well be broken in your case.

 

Does anybody know the bolt size for securing the module onto the head unit? Turns out the guy who sold me an OEM unit (to replace the aftermarket radio that bought and returned) sold it to me without a TPMS sensor! Weird, but I don't know anything about this stuff, and he didn't say anything, the shyster.

 

The tire pressure module does not go with the radio, it stays with the car. The tire pressure sensors in the car's wheels are registered to that module.

Do you have the original module from your car? I think the bracket bolt has a 10 mm head.

 

The TPMS module is mounted on the bracket that is part of the head unit. But are the sensors relaly registered to a module? What about when you get new sensors? Do you need to link them up with the module somehow?

I don't have the original module, it went with the OEM head unit when I got the aftermarket radio head unit (which I subsequently returned to the guy, but he forgot to bring my original head unit, so he gave me extra money for his forgetfulness, and then I went and found another OEM head unit for sale and bought it).

 

Plot Twist: The TPMS module was never there! (replacement OEM head unit put in last year didn't have one, seller/installer didn't tell me and I was too ignorant to notice)

 

Can confirm that an M5 bolt is needed to secure the TPMS ECU/model to the bracket on the stereo head unit. Not sure on length, I think the one my mechanic gave me was 8 mm, but I needed to add two washers under the screwhead in order to gain purchase and make it tight. In any case, it's not long.

 

As the other poster had said, the TPMS module doesn't go with the stereo/navigation head unit even though it's mounted there. You should have seen the issue with TPMS when you did the head unit replacement without having the module, no?

 

When I got the replacement unit several months ago I didn't know anything about this stuff. Didn't have a clue where the TPMS module was, what it looked like, etc. My knowledge level is very low.