Vauxhall Corsa TPMS problem

Today we attended a job in Chichester for an elderly couple who need their car as they live out of town and with the covid pandemic it is their only means of getting around.

They have a 2016 Vauxhall Corsa which is fitted with direct TPMS sensors.  One sensor kept showing a warning light on the dash which meant there was an air leak. At first I thought there might be a puncture, but upon checking the tyre with a leak detector liquid there was no obvious leak.

I then checked round the rim for corrosion and again there was no problem, finally I checked the sensor valve. This produced small bubbles from around the base of the valve.

To fix the problem, first I had to remove the tyre from the rim, then unscrew the sensor from the valve stem, once this was off I was able to pull out the rubber stem. Some sensor valves have metal stems with sealing nuts, others have a rubber stem.

On our vans we carry with us a set of TPMS service parts, including programmable sensors and stems for both metal and rubber valves. I checked the type required and replaced it with a matching rubber stem, the sensor was then screwed back in place. The tyre was put back on, inflated and the wheel balanced. I then checked the TPMS Sensor using our diagnostic tool. Once complete the wheel was put back on the car and the job was completed.

Direct TPMS have an actual sensor fitted inside the wheel, it is generally fixed to the valve, ideally it should be serviced every time a tyre is changed, as the rubber seals harden allowing air to leak. Indirect TPMS uses the cars ABS system to tell that one tyre on the same axle is dragging compared to the other tyre. With the indirect system there are no service parts.

Should you have problems with the TPMS light coming on on your dash, then call us at #Hometyre on 0333 444 5454

A sensor unit fitted to a valve.