TPMS sensor replacement / error code

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Robert Buhre, Jul 8, 2025 at 10:23 PM.

  1. Robert Buhre

    Robert Buhre New Member

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    Hi all-
    I have a 2013 Prius V where the TPMS indicator light came on. After checking the tires and googling the potential issues, I ended up taking the car to America’s tire to replace all 4 sensors.
    When the technician tried to pair or program the new sensors, he claimed he was getting an error code “low battery” on his handheld device connected to the Ecu port under the steering wheel. So now the indicator light stays on even though I have new sensors.
    I also replaced the main battery in this car last year ( the one in the rear trunk area).

    I also tried to use the TPMS reset button under the steering wheel but it did not blink like it was supposed to. I tried pressing the button for over 1 minute with car power on (not ignition on)

    I would rather not take this to Toyota dealer to diagnose.

    any ideas?
     
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    The car battery has nothing to do with it. A bad tpms sensor battery is one possibility.

    You either have a bad sensor, bad sensor battery (internal coin battery) or the guy did not program the car's TPMS ecu properly with the new sensor ids.

    I have seen aftermarket LED headlights cause enough rf interference to cause the tpms sensors to be flakey. All this takes to remedy is to turn off the LED headlights.

    I would take it back and have them fix it.

    You should not have to tell them how but essentially they should be able to rf scan the wheel sensors (typically with an Autel tool) even with your car off to verify what each sensor's status is (working or not) and to record each sensor's unique id/serial number. They would then verify those serial numbers are properly written to the TPMS ecu.

    While not the same interface as an Autel, the following represents Techstream monitoring the realtime sensor ids and data points (pressure and temp). The red notes recorded the changes I made.

    prius tpms 2023-09-18.jpeg

    The sensor locations are not automatically populated in any particular order. If you had Techstream or similar and noted one sensor was offline you can reduce each tire's pressure by ten pounds and note which sensor id does not change

    An Autel rf tpms tool can pinpoint the bad sensor's location since it is used next to each tire.

    Finally some newer Toyota's have the ability to read and setup new sensor ids without any tool or scanner. However gen3 Prius' do not have automatic new sensor id write capabilities.
     
    #2 rjparker, Jul 9, 2025 at 6:26 PM
    Last edited: Jul 9, 2025 at 7:00 PM
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  3. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    The tpms reset switch is used with ig on (two power presses without brake). It takes the current pressures and sets a lower alarm pressure. It has nothing to do with setting up new sensor ids.

    Be sure to do this properly first but its unlikely to be your issue.

    IMG_8867.jpeg IMG_8868.jpeg
     
    #3 rjparker, Jul 9, 2025 at 6:38 PM
    Last edited: Jul 9, 2025 at 7:04 PM
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  4. Robert Buhre

    Robert Buhre New Member

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    Thanks RJ-

    The sensors are supposed to be brand new so shouldn’t be bad battery. I did watch the tech at America tire use a handheld device to scan the sensor and then attempt to connect to the Ecu port - he claimed error message ‘bad battery’
    - do they need to clear or erase the older sensor Id?

    I also did try the reset button with power on IG - the indicator light never flashed after holding for over 1 minute.
     
  5. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    No they don't have to clear old ids. Have them do it again and get all the ids for your own records.

    You could take the car to another good tire place like Discount Tires but why get hosed twice?

    Toyota and others with Techstream would have to remove the tires to get the ids.

    I assume you have no LED aftermarket headlights.

    It would be good to hook any scanner to your obd2 port to ensure no one has blown its fuse. If you don't have one get a free scan at an auto parts store.
     
    #5 rjparker, Jul 9, 2025 at 7:41 PM
    Last edited: Jul 9, 2025 at 8:12 PM
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  6. Robert Buhre

    Robert Buhre New Member

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    I actually do have aftermarket LED headlights on this Prius. I have had them for abt 2 years.