TPMS question

[matttail]

I got my Versa a little more than 2 months ago. One day about three weeks ago the TPMS light come on. I was out running errands, right then, but had the pressure checked the next day. Each tire was set at 33psi as is reccomended on the sticker, and the light turned back off when I drove away.

Exactly one week after having my pressure checked, the TPMS light started flashing at me. I checked in the manual and saw that that ment a malfunction in the TPMS. So I call up the dealer I got the car from, explain to him what's happenning. At first he tries to tell me I just need to get the pressure checked, but I explain that the flashing light means a malfunction, and that a steady light would mean I need to check my ire pressure. So I get an appointement for Monday morning (I called friday afernoon).

Monday morning I take the car to the dealer, explain again that the system seems to be malfunctioning, that I checked in the manual that this is not just 'check tire pressure' light, but a malfunction. Guy says ok, go have a seat and we'll let you know what's up in a few min.

Half an hour later the service manage comes over to me, says we checked your tire pressure and "reset the light" - you're all done. I ask what about it malfunctioning, explain the whole thing over again. He shurgs and says if it comes on again bring it back. Needless to say I was very upset at their total lack of listenning. However, the light hasn't come back on.

Then I read an article by soneone else here saying there's been a lot of probles with the TPMS, and that his dealer disabeleld the system while waiting for a replacement part to come in. So I'm wondering if the dealer actually just disabeled the system some how to avoid haivng to work on it. When I turn the ignition key the TPMS light does come on beifly with all of the other dash board lights.

If I take the care out to a place that has an ODBII computer code reader, would they be able to check on it and see if there's any issues even though the light isn't coming on? I just want to know if there's an issue with the system or not, cause new cars are supposed to work and if they're not working I'm gonna make the dealer fix it.

Thanks!--Matttail

[Ever Victorious]

Your TPMS light coming on at startup means they did not disable the system. What they probably did is a process called "reregistering" the sensors. It makes the light go away for a while.

When my dealership did this to me, it took about 1000 miles for the light to come back on again. I've ignored it ever since. With what XterraVersa was saying, it looks like Nissan is moving closer to issuing a recall on the system.

Until such time as Nissan actually DOES recall the system, the best you can do is print out TPMS threads and bring them in to the dealership with you. We know that most system malfunctions are caused by bad wheel sensors, so at the very least they should order the failed sensor.

Hopefully, Nissan will issue a recall before yours comes up again, in which case you'd take it in and they would perform the recall for you.