TPMS Disabbled

[XterraVersa]

I went to a good dealer to pick up an air & oil filter. For the hell of it I asked the service advisor if they were having lots of TPMS problems? He said yes & asked if mine was on. I said yes and I gave him the keys. They verified the 37 psi in each tire & pulled the code.

Left rear sensor failure...They didn't have a spare, so they tried reregistering the system, but the light came back on. Then they did something that they probably shouldn't...they disabled the system.

Since they know how well I take care of my cars, they did this with the promiss I would come back to have the sensor replaced. They said if the new sensor still causes a failure, they will leave it disabled. In a "silent" TSB from Nissan, they are planning a recall to replace all 4 sensors & a new program. The sensors will be coming from another Nissan vehicle that has not had a problem.

They said I can share this, but not mention who it was.

[LA02MAX]

Well it was bound to happen some time....the new maximas are also having this problem. That's gonna be some major $$ for recalls on nissan's end, because this problem exists on SO many of the new versas...I find it interesting that your dealer actually knew how to disable the system, though...ususally the nissan service departments are clueless..

[proxim2020]

I wonder if the cars rolling off the line now or in the next few months, will have the new sensor in them? Did he give you any word on that?

[Ever Victorious]

This could also explain why cars are trickling out at a slow rate... they may be in the process of retooling the line to use the new parts and program, and it takes a little time to get it set up and get the parts in.

[Jemdawg]

Possibly, but it doesn't explain why they were in slow production in the first place. Obviously, the production should be greater than the initial production [and it is about the same right now] so maybe it is due to testing, but maybe they just haven't increased production to accommodate the demand.

[rwanttaja]

Well it was bound to happen some time....the new maximas are also having this problem. That's gonna be some major $$ for recalls on nissan's end, because this problem exists on SO many of the new versas...I find it interesting that your dealer actually knew how to disable the system, though...ususally the nissan service departments are clueless..

What's interesting is that the Federal requirement to include TPM systems requires that they not BE disable-able. Perhaps that just refers to the consumers being able to remove a fuse, etc. to kill the system. But it might explain the apparent cluelessness of other service departments.

As soon as someone has a document number or other reference for that "silent" TSB, please post it! It'll make it a lot easier to argue the point with the local service folks.

Ron

[XterraVersa]

That law only applies to cars manufacturered after Jan 1, 2007. I had my car in August 2006, so they can legally disable it. The light doesn't even come on at start-up.

I would suspect the slow start-up had to do with a new product line at that factory in mexico. The slow down now is not based on the TPMS but on the avaliability of certain transmissons. The TPMS is not a safety risk so they can continue to use them as is.

They have been just airing up tires to 40 psi & reregistering the things. But mine had a failed sensor.

[skoobahead]

Any idea how they disabled it?