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TPMS Battery - Printable Version

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TPMS Battery - SauRoN - 11-28-2018

Howzit guys.

When the battery on these start going do you get any indicator as such or do they just stop popping up and stay at -- / --?

Changed the rear brake pads a few weekends ago and oddly immediately after the rear sensor would take an age to come online once I start riding and then often also disappear mid ride.

Thought it's just coincidence as it's not like these have anything to do with the brake system like cars and don't rely on ABS sensor ring or speed sensors.

Oddly now a few weeks later they are back to normal and I was just wondering how do you know when the battery is going? And has anyone tried to replace them DIY style?


RE: TPMS Battery - Grumpy Goat - 11-28-2018

Good questions and I'd be interested to know the answer too. The two systems should not have anything to do with each other so it may be just coincidence in your case, and it may be that the battery is going ... Maybe others have more insight into this.

I was on YouTube looking for info on where exactly the sensors are located (in anticipation of future tire replacement) and came across a few videos on battery replacement. I didn't watch any of them but you may want to do that and see if they mention symptoms of a dying battery or even battery life, and see it that applies to you.

Either way you may have to remove the sensor and change the battery just to be sure that you have continuous service. For me, the TPMS is a great safety feature, not so much for telling me the pressure in the tire at any given time, but more to warn me when my tire is losing air due to a puncture while I am riding.


RE: TPMS Battery - Lee - 11-28-2018

(11-28-2018, 06:57 AM)Grumpy Goat Wrote: I was on YouTube looking for info on where exactly the sensors are located (in anticipation of future tire replacement) and came across a few videos on battery replacement. I didn't watch any of them

The sensor is attached to the valve stem. The sticker on the wheel shows which way from the valve stem the main part of the sensor is located.

When you watch the videos you'll see the batteries are not easily replaceable.


RE: TPMS Battery - Lee - 11-28-2018

(11-28-2018, 03:10 AM)SauRoN Wrote: Howzit guys.

When the battery on these start going do you get any indicator as such or do they just stop popping up and stay at -- / --?

Seems odd the battery is already dying. What year is your bike?
We had our K1300Ss for 5 years and the TPMs were still good.

On one of our cars when the sensors started to go I would get flaky reading, the readings would be slow to display, and after awhile one or more would not display.


TPMS Battery - SauRoN - 11-28-2018

(11-28-2018, 10:27 AM)Lee Wrote:
(11-28-2018, 03:10 AM)SauRoN Wrote: Howzit guys.

When the battery on these start going do you get any indicator as such or do they just stop popping up and stay at -- / --?

Seems odd the battery is already dying. What year is your bike?
We had our K1300Ss for 5 years and the TPMs were still good.

On one of our cars when the sensors started to go I would get flaky reading, the readings would be slow to display, and after awhile one or more would not display.


Well like I say I’m not sure they are dying. This past week they’ve been back to normal again.

But 5 years also isn’t really a good measure and I reckon mileage is more relevant as they are “on” for every kilometre of actual travel but not when standing in the garage.

Approaching 35,000km and 3 years old now.

My Triumph started giving battery warning at 36,000km and about 3 years as well.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro


RE: TPMS Battery - Grumpy Goat - 11-28-2018

(11-28-2018, 10:21 AM)Lee Wrote: The sensor is attached to the valve stem. The sticker on the wheel shows which way from the valve stem the main part of the sensor is located.

When you watch the videos you'll see the batteries are not easily replaceable.

Thanks Lee. Good to know about the direction with respect to the spoke on which the valve is located. Actually I was probably more concerned about the width of the sensor compared to rim width, since I will have to be careful with the Cycle Hill tire removal bar. I fully intend to avoid the entire area and also be careful with the tire clunking the sensor.

As for the battery replacement ... I guess I will have to watch the videos to see how hard it is. Do they expect when the battery is dead for the owner to buy a whole new sensor? If so I would not be amused.


TPMS Battery - SauRoN - 11-29-2018

Yup that is exactly the expectation that you should just buy new ones.


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RE: TPMS Battery - BobAin'tStoppin' - 11-29-2018

Quote:Actually I was probably more concerned about the width of the sensor compared to rim width, since I will have to be careful with the Cycle Hill tire removal bar. I fully intend to avoid the entire area and also be careful with the tire clunking the sensor.

Grumpy, When using the tire machine you just need to avoid plunging the tool into the rim at the tpm location. Once the tool is in for the 0n or Off operation you can go right by the tpm location with no worries. Plenty of clearance.


RE: TPMS Battery - Lee - 11-29-2018

(11-28-2018, 05:11 PM)SauRoN Wrote: But 5 years also isn’t really a good measure and I reckon mileage is more relevant as they are “on” for every kilometre of actual travel but not when standing in the garage.

55,000 miles.


RE: TPMS Battery - Lee - 11-29-2018

(11-28-2018, 07:28 PM)Grumpy Goat Wrote: Do they expect when the battery is dead for the owner to buy a whole new sensor? If so I would not be amused.

That's correct and it's the same for cars.
At least when I had them changed on my Chevy the price was much cheaper.
All 4 of the TPMs on the car was about the same price as one TPM from BMW.
A TPM sensor from BMW is $222.


RE: TPMS Battery - Grumpy Goat - 11-29-2018

(11-29-2018, 07:15 AM)BobAintStoppin Wrote: Grumpy, When using the tire machine you just need to avoid plunging the tool into the rim at the tpm location. Once the tool is in for the 0n or Off operation you can go right by the tpm location with no worries. Plenty of clearance.

Great ... thanks Bob that is good to know and I will bear that in mind.


RE: TPMS Battery - SauRoN - 01-16-2019

So this problem has seemingly buggered off all by itself and they are working as per normal like they always did.


RE: TPMS Battery - Grumpy Goat - 01-16-2019

(01-16-2019, 03:06 AM)SauRoN Wrote: So this problem has seemingly buggered off all by itself and they are working as per normal like they always did.

I hate when those kinds of problems happen because you are none the wiser as to what the real problem is. Good luck and keep us informed if anything changes. With so much electronics on board there is bound to be something to go "funny" from time to time and require expertise more than the average DIYer can fix.