TPMS sensors

[Topzide]

Changed out my TPMS sensors when I replace tires. There was a lot of back and forth about needing 2 different type of sensors. Not true. All 7 of my sensors are 433Mhz with rubber valve stems. The confusion comes from if you have aluminum wheels with metal valve stems then the inner steel have rubber. That's why there would be 2 different numbers. I got 2 sets of 4 off Ebay for under $60 to the door. If they don't have their ID printed on them, then you would need a TPMS tool to read the ID and input them with AlfaOBD. I bit the bullet and brought a TPMS tool to help with the other vehicles. Tool also tell battery condition, tire temp and PSI in one shot! So it'll be pretty handy tool for the toolbox! Just wanted to help clear up the differences that have been talked about.

 

[AH64ID]

Why 7 sensors?

Interesting, I always understood that the inners got different sensors to identify them as inners. Which still makes sense because there are 3 part numbers for DRW’s. They are for the inner, outer steel, and outer aluminum. The outer steel PN is also what’s used on all SRW wheels. The inner sensor is a 434 Mhz sensor, and the outers are 433 MHz.

What part number do you have?

You shouldn’t need AlfaOBD or a TPMS tool on a Ram, just install and drive. Much better than other manufacturers.

 

[Cummins12V98]

"Why 7 sensors?"

Sensor in the spare on a DRW?

 

[AH64ID]

"Why 7 sensors?"

Sensor in the spare on a DRW?

Probably true, but whenever I have tires with sensors in the bed it messes with the readout. Axles get swapped, left and right gets swapped, etc. So having a 5th or 7th sensor in the spare doesn’t seem like a good idea.

 

[Topzide]

The number of part is 68249197AA. Have had a sensor in the spare since I've had the truck with no issue in the TPMS system. They did not relearn after the drive home from when I installed them. I'm pretty sure they needed to be "woken" up for the system to see them. Can't comment on the 433 vs. 434 difference as the system sees the 433 on the inners when I've rotated tires. It is seeing them now and when you program the spare into the BCM, it just has that ID ready for when it sees it in a position on the truck. On other forums, people have been given all the same 433Mhz sensors from dealers. They've also said that the parts guy activated them before they left counter, hence why I decided to buy a TPMS tool. Like I mentioned in another thread, might add them to car trailer to keep track of temp and pressure with one tool vs. a tire gauge and an infrared thermometer. Another tool to help with maintaining the home fleet. The main difference between the inner and outer is rubber vs. metal. Hope this help with some of the info out there. Will update as things progress.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Question, does the spare come with a sensor?

 

[JLandry]

…I decided to buy a TPMS tool.

Question: What TPMS tool (brand / model) did you buy?

John L.

 

[Topzide]

I bought the Autel MaxiTPMS TS508. It has added features with the ability to connect to the OBD port with cable. Figured if I was going to get something, get something that had more features for the future! Couldn't tell you if spare had a sensor from new. The spare that was on truck when I got it didn't. FIL said they just put a usable tire on it to get of the road and replace the tire that blew. He remembers that a shop messed up a sensor that he never replaced and used it as the spare. In AlfaOBD, you can program all six and spare. With new "toy", it's easier to check tire pressure in the spare! New tools (toys), are always a good thing to have when they save you time!

 

[SSchang]

I also bought the Autel TS508. I haven't used it on the truck, but I used it when I replaced the failed TPM sensors on the wife's BMW. It worked slick, it read the serial number in the car computer from the summer wheel / tire TPM's. I then used it to program the new Autel programmable TPM's with the BMW serial numbers. So now when I swap winter to summer wheels and tires, the car won't know the difference because the serial numbers are the same. I think the TS508 was about $230, and the 4 programmable sensors were about $100. When I had a local tire shop replace a failed sensor a couple years ago, I think it was about $75. So the TS508 unit and the sensors cost about the same as having the tire shop replace the 4 sensors.

 

[AH64ID]

The number of part is 68249197AA. Have had a sensor in the spare since I've had the truck with no issue in the TPMS system. They did not relearn after the drive home from when I installed them. I'm pretty sure they needed to be "woken" up for the system to see them. Can't comment on the 433 vs. 434 difference as the system sees the 433 on the inners when I've rotated tires. It is seeing them now and when you program the spare into the BCM, it just has that ID ready for when it sees it in a position on the truck. On other forums, people have been given all the same 433Mhz sensors from dealers. They've also said that the parts guy activated them before they left counter, hence why I decided to buy a TPMS tool. Like I mentioned in another thread, might add them to car trailer to keep track of temp and pressure with one tool vs. a tire gauge and an infrared thermometer. Another tool to help with maintaining the home fleet. The main difference between the inner and outer is rubber vs. metal. Hope this help with some of the info out there. Will update as things progress.

Interesting, that PN doesn't come back as compatible with a DRW. I wonder if thats why you had to program the sensors. Obviously they are compatible.

The main difference between inner and outer is the Mhz, since you can get both rubber or metal for the outer depending on what your wheels are made of.

Question, does the spare come with a sensor?

They do not.

 

[JLandry]

I have a brand new set of Mopar sensors for my 2014 3500 dually sitting on my workbench waiting for new tires to be acquired soon. They're all the same frequency: 434 Mhz.

The inner rear sensors (2 each) with short, straight rubber valve stems are part number 68249200AA. Details: https://store.mopar.com/oem-parts/mopar-tire-pressure-sensor-68249200aa

The outer rear and front sensors (4 each) with long, curved steel valve stems are part number 68249201AA. Details: https://store.mopar.com/oem-parts/mopar-tire-pressure-sensor-68249201aa

John L.

 

[AH64ID]

This will add to the confusion. This 68249197AA is a 434 MHz…

I’ve found a little info stating that 433 and 434 are interchangeable, and it seems more mfgrs are switching to 434 vs 433.

I’m actually surprised Ram doesn’t have more info on their body builder site.

I’d like to know why every time I have a 5th sensor in the truck, or 8 sensors, the truck loses the proper locations thou it never reads the extra sensor pressures.

 

[Topzide]

The #68249197AA is a earlier version for our trucks and yes now seeing one the 434Mhz does add to the confusion! I think that once I "woke" them up, the system probably would have found them but since I had a sensor in the spare and wanted to program it into the system, I put them all in. We'll see what happens the first rotation that I do! Got a few miles till then!

 

[JLandry]

I tore open an old TPMS sensor today and took some pics.

Interestingly, the battery just snaps into the pcb (it's not soldered), so in theory, it's replaceable... if you don't mind hacking open the sensor's plastic housing. Batteries are available on Amazon complete with welded on tabs.

John L.

 

[Topzide]

Sure would be nice if the battery was easily replaceable! Would cut the price and help avoid a lot of electronic waste! The sensor could be designed so that the unit is sealed with a coin slot to slip battery into and then a rubber flap to seal the compartment. Maybe someone can do that since they already make it so the valve stem and seals can be replaced to keep rim sealed. @JLandry, Thanks for taking the time to pull one apart and posting pics. It's nice to see how the little buggers are put together!