Originally published on October 24, 2025
No matter how strange, these issues can all be solved, and are great educational opportunities for customers.
My favorite Danny Devito role is the wild and outrageous Frank Reynolds from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. One of my favorite quotes of his comes from the episode “The Gang Gives Frank an Intervention.” Frank says to the group, “Well, I don’t know how many years on this Earth I got left. I’m gonna get real weird with it.” That got me thinking… TPMS sensors have a relatively short life too, and it seems they share that sentiment with Mr. Reynolds – a sensor can get really weird in its “life” and cause a lot of issues for your technicians.
Despite how “weird” these issues are, they are fixable. And each issue can lead to educational opportunities that show customers why these sensors are so important.
Battery Drain or False Alarm?
Dead vehicle batteries aren’t caused by a TPMS sensor. Each sensor contains its own small battery, and after a period of vehicle inactivity, the sensor should automatically go into sleep mode.
However, if a sensor fails internally or remains “awake” due to a malfunction, it may not stop transmitting, even when it should. It is uncommon, but not impossible, so don’t rule it out if you’re having trouble diagnosing unexpected battery drainage.
If a TPMS sensor is causing battery drain, it likely means the sensor itself is close to dying, if it’s not dead already. It’s best to recommend replacing all four at once, even if just one is dead.
Avoid Software Glitches
When was the last time you did a TPMS tool update? If you can’t remember, that probably means you’re overdue for one.
TPMS programming tool updates are important. They include bug fixes and improvements that address software glitches or incorrect programming. For example, vehicle qualifiers visible in the TPMS tool’s selection menu may be added to account for multiple sensor options within the same model year.
Qualifiers can include details like production date, sensor frequency, rim type, or even trim level. Overlooking these can lead to pairing the wrong sensor with a vehicle’s receiver, triggering communication errors or failed relearns.
If you keep those TPMS tools updated, though, you’ll make sure your technicians are programming sensors using the latest vehicle data and software logic.
Component Interference
During a relearn procedure, you may come across a TPMS tool that refuses to detect a sensor. If you’ve already ruled out a software glitch or a dead battery, you may be dealing with interference.
During a relearn, the TPMS sensor transmits a signal to the vehicle’s receiver. However, that signal has to pass through several layers, like the wheel rim, brake components, and suspension, before it ever reaches the antenna. Depending on the sensor’s location, those materials can block the signal to your tool.
If you run into this issue, just roll the vehicle forward a few feet. That will change the position of the sensor, likely clearing the signal path and allowing your sensor to receive a signal. Sometimes this is all it takes for the relearn procedure to complete successfully.
Turn “Weird” TPMS Issues Into Opportunity
You have the tools and training to make sense of the weird. That’s what keeps your shop running smoothly.
It’s up to you to keep your technicians up-to-date on TPMS sensors. But you should also explain funky issues like these to your customers. Tell them what you found, how you fixed it, and why it’s important.
Education like that is valuable to a lot of customers, and can only serve to build trust and build a more loyal customer base. Beyond that, it communicates the value of TPMS and maintaining it as one of the key safety systems on their vehicle.
