DennisMik

Got a nail in my tire and had the tire repaired. But as I drove away from the tire place, my TPMS dash light was still on. I tried to reset it according to the owners manual, but no go. I started thinking that maybe the tire place damaged the sensor when they took the tire off the rim, so I went back there. The tire place took the car in and checked it out and came back to me with the results. I need THREE new sensors. What the fung, kiddies? I didn't have the TPMS light until I picked up the nail, so how do I have 3 bad sensors? I drove off with an estimate of $658.83 for replacement of the 3 sensors. Let me tell you my butt hole was hurting. Needless to say, I was maybe a little bit skeptical. NOT! I was a lot skeptical.

The place I took it to was NTB. I think they are nation-wide. They wanted $163.39 for each TPMS unit. List price at Lexus is $79.37 and $56.31 at parts.com. The labor for doing all three was 1.1 hours for $102.99. The labor sounds reasonable.

I started researching the TPMS monitors and found out that they have a battery in them, so maybe I do need 3 units. I have a 2007 manufactured in August 2006, so after 10 years the batteries could be going out. I just don't understand 3 of them dying when I had a flat tire.

There are 2 part numbers for the TPMS unit - 42607-0E011 and 42607-33021. The 42607-0E011 is for North American made cars and the 42607-33021 are for the Japan made cars. Also, these part numbers are not for the RX330, they have different ones. Aftermarket units are less expensive, and they also have different ones for NAP and JPN cars.

NAP RX350 cars:
Lexus = 42607-0E011
Dorman = 974033
Standard Motor Parts = TPM68A

JAP RX350 cars:
Lexus = 42607-33021
Dorman = 974042
Standard Motor Parts = TPM62A

Video of someone taking a TPMS apart:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQhK8WqRZ2g&feature=youtu.be

DennisMik

Update to my story.

I decided to take the car to Discount Tire for a second opinion. They came out to where the car was parked and used a tester that detects the 315 MHz radio signal the TPMS unit transmits. They told me that I only need one sensor and that happens to be the wheel that NTB repaired the tire on.

I asked the guy if maybe the other sensors were getting weak and he said no, the strength of the radio signal on the other wheels is where it should be. He told me to take it back to NTB and have them fix it because they most likely broke it when they dismounted the tire. So that is my task for tomorrow.

I asked the guy what Discount Tire would charge to replace the sensor and his price is $64.95 out the door. The NTB price is $219.61 per wheel.

numbafree

Situations like yours, compelled me to get my own pneumatic tire changer and digital balancer. DIY for me, for all my gas powered toys.

I too, doubt all 3 sensors are bad. prolly need to recalibarate or batteries.

nwfsnake

FYI, rockauto.com has the OEM Denso Sensors for about $33 plus shipping...