Dealer refusing to fix "service tire pressure sensor" message under warranty

3600 Views 22 Replies 12 Participants Last post by sj22, Jul 15, 2007

sj22

Discussion Starter · Jun 6, 2007

Dealer refusing to fix "service tire pressure sensor" message under warranty

Greetings,
I have an 05 Cadillac, 20,000 miles purchased as used from the first owner. I took it to the dealer and did an oil change and asked him to check the message "service tire pressure sensor". He is refusing to do it under warranty claiming that the 22" tires were put on after purchasing the vehicle. Should I fight or pay up to fix it ?
I have a good tire shop that I have been going for 20 years and I am going to have him replace two tires. When I change the two rear tires, is there a way to tell which sensor is bad? Also, where can I find information on removing and reinstalling the sensors when I change tires.
And some info on resetting the sensors will be helpful.

Appreciate the help - Thanks!
SJ22

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

Rolex

· #2 · Jun 6, 2007

Re: Dealer refusing to fix "service tire pressure sensor" message under warranty

Any service dept for any make of vehicle will deny warranty coverage where aftermarket parts may effect the wear and tear of the vehicle. It's not even necessary that they prove the aftermarket add-ons caused the damage; their position is it CAN result in excess wear and tear. Of course if it CAN = coverage denied.

That's unfortunate for you, but a risk you take with modifications to ANY vehicle. Good luck my friend.

EXT_Vegas

· #3 · Jun 6, 2007

Re: Dealer refusing to fix "service tire pressure sensor" message under warranty

You are asking them to warranty some else's product. They did not build, mount, install or receive payment for doing such. Yet you ask them to warranty it. You'll have to pay them or somebody else. Sorry...

Playdrv4me

· #4 · Jun 6, 2007

Re: Dealer refusing to fix "service tire pressure sensor" message under warranty

Your SOL... the TP Sensors are part of the factory wheels... if you put aftermarkets on there, theres no way to prove your upgrade isnt causing the problem. This time im gonna have to side with the dealer.

GM-4-LIFE

· #5 · Jun 6, 2007

Re: Dealer refusing to fix "service tire pressure sensor" message under warranty

Try a different Cadillac dealer and see what they say. Often times I have found that when one dealer is being difficult to deal with, there is always another dealer that will do it.

SG

FRISBEE

· #6 · Jun 6, 2007

Re: Dealer refusing to fix "service tire pressure sensor" message under warranty

who knows if the sensors are still in the wheels, some aftermarket wheels make it impossible to remount them in the stem hole. We installed some 22's on my Cousin's Trailblazer SS and had the dealer turn off the tire sensor message for the fact that the sensors would not fit with the wheels my Cousin bought

vietfob714

· #7 · Jun 6, 2007

Re: Dealer refusing to fix "service tire pressure sensor" message under warranty

Theres special adapters that i had to put on my TPS cost about $80 It has the sensor go flat instead of verticle so if i do get a flat, i wont break the sensor.

ewill3rd

· #8 · Jun 6, 2007

Re: Dealer refusing to fix "service tire pressure sensor" message under warranty

Also if the sensors are mounted at an improper angle the reed switches inside the sensors that make contact to let them transmit will not function.
Some aftermarket wheels don't take the mounting angle into account and they won't work properly.
There is also a possibility that the tire installer cracked the sensors if they didn't install them properly.

It doesn't look like you are denying that you have aftermarket 22's installed.

If it were me, I'd offer you this: If I took the rims apart and found that whoever installed the tires broke the sensors or they were mounted incorrectly causing them to not function you would have to pay. If they had failed in a manner that would be consistent with a factory component failure I would make sure it was covered under warranty.
You may have to tell your dealer that you are willing to pony up if the problem was not a part failure.
You could always take it back to the tire installer and tell them their could be an issue with their work.
After all, if they mounted the tires wrong, they are the ones to blame... not GM, and frankly they should stand behind their own work.

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hcvone

· #9 · Jun 6, 2007

Re: Dealer refusing to fix "service tire pressure sensor" message under warranty

ewill3rd said:
Also if the sensors are mounted at an improper angle the reed switches inside the sensors that make contact to let them transmit will not function.
Some aftermarket wheels don't take the mounting angle into account and they won't work properly.
There is also a possibility that the tire installer cracked the sensors if they didn't install them properly.

It doesn't look like you are denying that you have aftermarket 22's installed.

If it were me, I'd offer you this: If I took the rims apart and found that whoever installed the tires broke the sensors or they were mounted incorrectly causing them to not function you would have to pay. If they had failed in a manner that would be consistent with a factory component failure I would make sure it was covered under warranty.
You may have to tell your dealer that you are willing to pony up if the problem was not a part failure.
You could always take it back to the tire installer and tell them their could be an issue with their work.
After all, if they mounted the tires wrong, they are the ones to blame... not GM, and frankly they should stand behind their own work.

Bill well said, and if you go to your dealership and tell them you are willing to pay if it's broken from poor installation or the mounting of the tire caused the problem most dealerships will work with you. Some of the tire pressure resets do not work thru the DIC you will need a reset tool, some tires shops have them and you will need this if you rotate or change a sensor.

urbanski

· #10 · Jun 6, 2007

Re: Dealer refusing to fix "service tire pressure sensor" message under warranty

just buy a new one and have discount tire fix it, $100 tops

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cadillac_tech

· #11 · Jun 6, 2007

Re: Dealer refusing to fix "service tire pressure sensor" message under warranty

sj22,
Just to give you more confidence, ewill3rd and hcvone are right. If you have OEM sensors in those wheels and they're not physically damaged, the dealer should warranty the failed part. It's not hard for them to figure out which sensor/s are bad and inspect it. If something is damaged, it's your dime.

Let's say you pay the dealer to replace the sensors. Would they claim there is no warranty on it because of the wheel?

DLE

· #12 · Jun 6, 2007

Re: Dealer refusing to fix "service tire pressure sensor" message under warranty

I bought my 24" wheels that came with no TPS. My message is on my DIC everytime I start the truck up, but I just hit the button and it goes away.

Maybe those TPS aren't oem that is on the 22's?

sj22

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jun 6, 2007

Re: Dealer refusing to fix "service tire pressure sensor" message under warranty

Thanks to All...

I purchased one sensor from their parts department, I want my tire shop to put it in. Where can I find the instructions for mounting the sensors correctly and resetting them

Regards
SJ22

ewill3rd

· #14 · Jun 7, 2007

Re: Dealer refusing to fix "service tire pressure sensor" message under warranty

Whoever replaces them should not have a problem mounting it properly.
Most wheels only allow one position. If it is not the correct angle it may have a problem but it depends on the type of wheel.
As for programming, I didn't read back but I am assuming this is a pre-'07 vehicle.

Turn the key off and wait for about 30 seconds (or more).
Set the parking brake, turn the key to run.
Within 5 seconds or so, turn the park lights on then off then on then off... 4 times total, the horn will chirp (twice I think).
Now go to the left front tire and let air out for about 10 seconds and then wait about 10 more. The horn should honk. Repeat this process on the right front, then the right rear, then the left rear.
The horn should honk twice after the left rear.
Turn the key off and release the parking brake.
Adjust the tire pressures to whatever spec you prefer.

Enjoy!

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hcvone

· #15 · Jun 7, 2007

Re: Dealer refusing to fix "service tire pressure sensor" message under warranty

Don't be surprised is the inflation/deflation method does not work, your tire shop may have a reset tool, I purchased one myself because one out of my two 07's did not work, and putting air in and taking it out was a pain. Any good tire shop should know how to install the sensors.

sj22

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jun 7, 2007

Re: Dealer refusing to fix "service tire pressure sensor" message under warranty

ewill3rd,
Thanks, mine is an 05 Escalade

I got it through this part...

>>Adjust the tire pressures to whatever spec you prefer.
Does it mean to adjust the PSI setting in the console or Adjust it on the tire by releasing or putting more air into it to make it 36psi?

Also, is there a way to find out which of the four sensors may have failed. I have a spare with me

Regards
SJ22

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sj22

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jun 7, 2007

Re: Dealer refusing to fix "service tire pressure sensor" message under warranty

Thanks hcvone,
pls read my post, which was posted few seconds earlier than your reply. Is the ideal tire pressure for an 05 escalade 36 psi
My tires are P305 45 R22

Regards
SJ22

ewill3rd

· #18 · Jun 7, 2007

Re: Dealer refusing to fix "service tire pressure sensor" message under warranty

The pressure increase/decrease method usually works pretty well on Escalades, but as stated... not always.

To find out which one is bad, just try to program them.
If one of them refuses to program but the other 3 work, the inactive one is probably the bad one. Don't worry that they won't learn in their proper positions until after it is fixed.

When you are done, adjust to whatever psi you prefer for driving.

To program you have to increase or decrease the pressure 1.6 psi(I think), this usually just takes the 8-10 seconds. Some guys let air out until the horn honks, that works too but you have to add more air afterwards... no big deal either way.
The programming tool works great but they run about $400!
Not really a worthwhile purchase unless you own an auto shop.

hcvone

· #19 · Jun 7, 2007

Re: Dealer refusing to fix "service tire pressure sensor" message under warranty

ewill3rd said:
The pressure increase/decrease method usually works pretty well on Escalades, but as stated... not always.

To find out which one is bad, just try to program them.
If one of them refuses to program but the other 3 work, the inactive one is probably the bad one. Don't worry that they won't learn in their proper positions until after it is fixed.

When you are done, adjust to whatever psi you prefer for driving.

To program you have to increase or decrease the pressure 1.6 psi(I think), this usually just takes the 8-10 seconds. Some guys let air out until the horn honks, that works too but you have to add more air afterwards... no big deal either way.
The programming tool works great but they run about $400!
Not really a worthwhile purchase unless you own an auto shop.

I got a new Bartec 300 for $297.00 shipped, it does all makes foreign and US cars and can be programmed via the internet for the future, but with all my cars and SUV's having pressure sensors it makes my life easier.

hcvone

· #20 · Jun 7, 2007

Re: Dealer refusing to fix "service tire pressure sensor" message under warranty

sj22 said:
Thanks hcvone,
pls read my post, which was posted few seconds earlier than your reply. Is the ideal tire pressure for an 05 escalade 36 psi
My tires are P305 45 R22

Regards
SJ22

35-36 lbs.

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

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