TPMS Failure warnings

[Blake P]

On several isolated incidents, I have had a "TPMS Failure" warning message pop up on my instrument cluster. Each time I've stopped to check the tires, with normal tire pressure readings. The warning goes away after turning the engine back on. My initial reaction was to think one (or more) sensors might be faulty, but that wouldn't explain why the failure messages are so infrequent (typically less than once a month). Has anyone else had experience with this they can share? I've heard Audi service techs can scan the sensors without removing the wheels to determine if they are faulty, but I wonder if it would find any problems if the warning is not occuring at the time.

[robots_are_neon]

dude, same thing over here I have a service appt for monday on this - soo annoying
Same with my oil levels

[Blake P]

dude, same thing over here I have a service appt for monday on this - soo annoying
Same with my oil levels

Please let me know what they say. My guess is a faulty TPMS sensor, but who knows.

[PESAPC]

Please let me know what they say. My guess is a faulty TPMS sensor, but who knows.

I think you are right ... crap sensor

[mioStile]

TPMS low tire pressure warnings pop up on the b7 s4's all the time -

Rather than a faulty sensor, sometimes it's that the sensors are TOO GOOD. If you look in the manual, there's a way to re-set the sensor range so that there is a larger range for tire pressures to vary before alerting the sensor. If that doesn't work, make sure you check the tire pressure of the spare - that could be a little leaky and cause a warning.

Fixed my problem and haven't had an issue since.

[Blake P]

TPMS low tire pressure warnings pop up on the b7 s4's all the time

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, it's not indicating that pressure is low. Instead, it's specifically saying "TPMS Failure", which is indicated in the manual as being a problem that could caused by various reasons. One of which could be a faulty sensor. I'm just wondering how common this is and whether anyone else has been having the issue as well.

[PESAPC]

I recommend changing the air in your tires ... that will fix the issue.

[Blake P]

I recommend changing the air in your tires ... that will fix the issue.

You're kidding, right?

[A4natomical]

I'm not familiar with the b8 and how the tire pressure sensor works, but could the warning possibly be set off by the new aftermarket wheels and tires?

[Blake P]

I'm not familiar with the b8 and how the tire pressure sensor works, but could the warning possibly be set off by the new aftermarket wheels and tires?

No. The HRE's were built to accomodate OEM TPMS sensors, which are installed using the valve stems. There is a sensor installed in each wheel. You inflate the tires to your desired pressure, then set the TPMS through the MMI so it "learns" the PSI and alerts you if one or more tires goes (25%?) below that pressure. The warning I get is different, stating "TPMS failure", meaning some kind of malfunction in the system where it is unable to function properly. In each instance, I checked the pressure of each tire and they are within allowable limits.

[PESAPC]

You're kidding, right?

er ... seriously kidding !! ...

[PESAPC]

I'm not familiar with the b8 and how the tire pressure sensor works, but could the warning possibly be set off by the new aftermarket wheels and tires?

I have HREs on my RS4 and A4 with no issues ... you have a shit sensor ... but which one right?!!?!?

[afouralex]

On several isolated incidents, I have had a "TPMS Failure" warning message pop up on my instrument cluster. Each time I've stopped to check the tires, with normal tire pressure readings. The warning goes away after turning the engine back on. My initial reaction was to think one (or more) sensors might be faulty, but that wouldn't explain why the failure messages are so infrequent (typically less than once a month). Has anyone else had experience with this they can share? I've heard Audi service techs can scan the sensors without removing the wheels to determine if they are faulty, but I wonder if it would find any problems if the warning is not occuring at the time.

I had to take my aftermarket wheels on and put the stock ones on for repairs and forgot to store the current tire pressures and a few miles later I got the "TPMS Failure" message, but I just pulled over and stored the tire pressures and it never happened again, just put the aftermarket back on, stored pressure, and no problems so far. Is "TPMS Failure" the message it's supposed to indicate when you get a flat, or would it say low tire pressure? Now i'm not sure that I got the correct message for the correct problem.

[robots_are_neon]

I just got my car back and MioStile was correct, they were just being too sensitive.

As far as the oil goes, there was a faulty latch for the hood so they replaced that and ALL GRAVY!

[Blake P]

I just got my car back and MioStile was correct, they were just being too sensitive.

What was the warning you were getting regarding TPMS? Mine specifically said "TPMS Malfunction" not the low tire pressure warning. According to the manual, they are 2 very different issues.

[Blake P]

I had to take my aftermarket wheels on and put the stock ones on for repairs and forgot to store the current tire pressures and a few miles later I got the "TPMS Failure" message, but I just pulled over and stored the tire pressures and it never happened again, just put the aftermarket back on, stored pressure, and no problems so far. Is "TPMS Failure" the message it's supposed to indicate when you get a flat, or would it say low tire pressure? Now i'm not sure that I got the correct message for the correct problem.

Same thing happened to me when I first put my HRE's on. Got the warning on first start up, stored the pressures, message went away. The message has now popped up on 3 separate occasions while driving. Two of the times it remained lit on the dash until I turned off the car, checked the tire pressure (all were fine) and restarted the car. The last time, it cleared itself within 10 seconds after appearing.

[aznpxdd]

I just got some new wheels today and on the way home, "TPMS Malfunction" popped up for me as well. Did you ever solve this problem Blake?

[PESAPC]

did you reset the computer ... until you do, that warning will recur ... of course, you might in fact have a problem - reset the system first and see if it recurs ... check tire pressure and if one is 2-3 lbs lower than the others that will prompt TPMS to error out

[aznpxdd]

How do I reset the computer, a VAG-COM?

[ChronoVII]

TPMS low tire pressure warnings pop up on the b7 s4's all the time -

Rather than a faulty sensor, sometimes it's that the sensors are TOO GOOD. If you look in the manual, there's a way to re-set the sensor range so that there is a larger range for tire pressures to vary before alerting the sensor. If that doesn't work, make sure you check the tire pressure of the spare - that could be a little leaky and cause a warning.

Fixed my problem and haven't had an issue since.

wait.....the TPMS also keeps an eye on the pressure of spare in the trunk?

[Blake P]

I just got some new wheels today and on the way home, "TPMS Malfunction" popped up for me as well. Did you ever solve this problem Blake?

The issue has never been fully resolved, but I hardly ever get the warning anymore. I got it last weekend for the first time in a long while, but I kept driving and it went away. Based on my research and experience, it seems to happen when one or more of the sensors loses contact with the system. In my case, the communication failure has only been temporary and goes away after either storing the current pressure through the MMI, turning the car off/on, or simply ignoring the message and continuing to drive. The most important thing to know is that the malfunction warning does not indicate low pressure in any of the tires. With brand new wheels (assuming new TPMS sensors were installed in the valve stems), you must reset the system to "learn" the new sensors through the MMI car settings menu. Hopefully this helps.

[PESAPC]

The issue has never been fully resolved, but I hardly ever get the warning anymore. I got it last weekend for the first time in a long while, but I kept driving and it went away. Based on my research and experience, it seems to happen when one or more of the sensors loses contact with the system. In my case, the communication failure has only been temporary and goes away after either storing the current pressure through the MMI, turning the car off/on, or simply ignoring the message and continuing to drive. The most important thing to know is that the malfunction warning does not indicate low pressure in any of the tires. With brand new wheels (assuming new TPMS sensors were installed in the valve stems), you must reset the system to "learn" the new sensors through the MMI car settings menu. Hopefully this helps.

Bingo

[John4378]

I am sure glad I came across this post this morning. Both lights came on for me this morning. A yellow low tire pressure light illuminated on the speedo, and the green TPMS failure green light on the rectangular digital display. I guess my first step is to goof around with the MMI and see what that does.

[Blake P]

I am sure glad I came across this post this morning. Both lights came on for me this morning. A yellow low tire pressure light illuminated on the speedo, and the green TPMS failure green light on the rectangular digital display. I guess my first step is to goof around with the MMI and see what that does.

FWIW, I've never gotten the low pressure warning. I'd start by checking/correcting the pressure on all tires (including the spare), re-storing current pressures through the MMI and going from there.

[Al Fletcher]

TPMS:
After putting on the 19 255/35 wheels for an A5 on my Audi 2006 A6, i started to get the TPMS warning. In the car setup i can reset the Tire pressure so the computer knows what the pressure should be but that doesn't seem to work. The TPMS comes on after driving for a little while, after i reset it. Any info would help...Thanks