Ford TPMS

TPMS or Tire Pressure Monitoring System is fitted to Ford cars to provide a warning of low pressure on any one of four or five tires on the vehicle (five if TPMS fitted in spare). A TPMS from one of three manufacturers is fitted as part of the valve assembly in all Ford cars. The sensor measures the pressure and temperature in the tire and transmits this data along with the unique ID of the TPMS to the tire pressure monitor ECU/receiver. If the TPMS ID is logged with the SJB then it is compared with the placard pressure and if under pressure then a warning light is lit on the dash mounted display.

Ford TPMS types and Fitment

The manufacturers of the Ford TPMS are Schrader Electronics, VDO and Lear. VDO and Lear manufactured the banded sensor whilst Schrader manufacture the valve stem TPMS. The Ford Model range utilising TPMS technology includes the following brands:

• Ford Crown Victoria, Edge, Escape, Expedition, Explorer, F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450
• Five Hundred, Focus, Freestar, Fusion, Grand marquis, Mustang, Ranger, Sport Trac Taurus, Taurus X - TPMS
• Lincoln Aviator, Mark LT, MKX, MKZ, Navigator, Town Car - TPMS
• Mercury Grand Marquis, Mariner, Milan, Montego, Monterey, Mountaineer - TPMS
• Mazda 3, 5, 6, B-series pickup, CX-7, CX-9, MX-5 Miata, RX-8, Speed 6, Tribute - TPMS
• Volvo C30, C70, S40, S60, S80, V50, V70, XC70, XC90 - TPMS

Ford TPMS Fault Diagnosis

TPMS replacement is called for when the TPMS fails due to mechanical or electrical failure, broken accelerometer, low TPMS battery power or blocked pressure port. One of the most common causes of failure is inappropriate handling during wheel or tire removal or servicing. The TPMS is an electronic component fitted as part of a heavyweight mechanical process.

Before attempting to replace a Ford TPMS we advise the use of one our Bartec TPMS tools to establish the need for replacement and the nature of the fault. This may support a warranty claim but will also ensure that the dealer or tire shop is covered for liability claims. The legal position is that as soon as the dealer breaks down the wheel then he becomes liable and cannot allow the car to be driven away from his shop with the TPMS warning light still on. Many dealers have found that customers will not accept the costs for repair and may attribute any breakage to the dealer if there is no audit trail.

Ford TPMS Replacement

If a sensor proves faulty or is damaged then it will need to be replaced. This requires a new sensor to be fitted and the ECU to be reprogrammed with its unique ID and its position on the vehicle. The procedures for all vehicles are illustrated in the Bartec 'Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems Guide' which shows service requirements, reset procedures, dismounting/mounting instructions, torque specifications etc for all makes/models and years.

The technician should always: refer to manufacturer's specifications for proper torque requirements when replacing nuts and valve cores; use new grommets, nuts, plastic or nickel-plated valve caps and electro-less, nickel-plated valve cores when performing any tire service; never use a brass valve core or un-plated brass cap with an aluminum TPMS sensor stem. Contact between dissimilar metals can cause galvanic corrosion, which can lead to loss of air pressure.

The Bartec tools offer the capability to carry out a TPMS audit of the car and then show the customer the audit results from the screen or download them to a PC and print the audit results to show to the customer so that a cost can be agreed and the go ahead given before work commences. It is important to have a tool which can distinguish the correct TPMS in order to avoid picking up the transmission of other TPMS sensors, key fobs etc. It is important to limit your liability for any problems which occur.

The TPMS tool should be able to decode the transmission from the sensor and display the data. This will enable the technician to establish if the sensor has failed or is not fitted, whether the pressure port on the sensor is blocked, where the part is running at too high a temperature and other diagnostic information which might be included in the specific sensor (e.g. if there is a low battery condition on the TPMS).

The direct TPMS will be attached to the back of the tire valve.

Your vehicle may have banded sensors (banded to the wheel) which are manufactured by VDO and Lear or stemmed sensors manufactured by Schrader. If you have banded sensors then the TPMS tool needs to be held on the tire at 180 degrees to the valve stem before activation. If the TPMS is mounted on the back of the valve stem then the TPMS tool will need to be held on the tire adjacent to the valve stem before activation.

If you get a no read on a banded sensor this may be because it has slipped on the band so you will need to retry at other positions before concluding the sensor is faulty.

TPMS Ford Service Guide

The Bartec 'Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems Guide' contains comprehensive information on the mechanical and electrical procedure for TPMS replacement for all makes/models/year types going back to the year of their introduction including:

• TPMS Service Requirements
• Special tools reference guide

Model articles referencing all makes/models/years and including:

• Description and operation of vehicle TPMS system
• Warning indicator reset procedure
• System Retrain/Relearn procedure
• Dismounting/mounting cautions & Notes
• Tire Pressure Sensor Replacement procedure
• Wheel Nut torques
• Tire Pressure Sensor Nut torques

Ford TPMS Tool Training

Bartec are world leaders in the implementation of TPMS systems for the wheel and tire assembly plant and the car plant with over 70 installations worldwide.

As a result of this activity the company also leads the aftermarket with the most comprehensive range of TPMS dealer tools for the dealer, the tire shop and even the end user.

The market desperately needs information and training on TPMS, diagnosing faults and repairing/replacing, TPMS tools and support. Bartec has sought to answer some of the many questions by putting together a series of training videos which can be viewed by visiting www.bartecusa.com/tpms-videos

Contact Your TPMS Tool Dealer

Customers have told us our help desk guys are the best because of their wealth of information and experience; that they care about helping; and that they try that bit harder to sort out problems.

When you buy a Tech600Pro TPMS tool you get a free copy of the Bartec 'Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems Guide' and also gain access to the Bartec TPMS technical support for advice on replacement of TPMS and the use of TPMS tools on all vehicles not just Ford.

The team has a wealth of experience with TPMS. These guys have worked in the car plants and also in the aftermarket solving the problems you are addressing.

Please browse our website for more information about Bartec USA LLC and our range of Ford TPMS Tools and our professional support for Tire Pressure Monitor Sensors, then call toll free (866) 407-TPMS and speak to one of our team or e-mail us on sales@bartecusa.com