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Trying to get a handle on what scenarios would cause my 2013 W221 S550 to not even see the TPMS modules even though they can be successfully activated. I get green all the way around on my scanner when activating them, but the car cannot find them at all.
If you’re referencing wheel sensors they should be 433Mhz. Malfunction scenarios: sensor frequency may be wrong, internal batteries at the end or nearing end of life span, CU needs replacement with worst case being failed harness. Find someone with Xentry (MB diagnostics) to erase stored codes & run quick test.
If new it needs to be activated via Xentry, used more time than not plug & play. Before replacing check f96 (5A) @ side dash if fine pull for several minutes in an attempt to reset you may get lucky.
on mine when I replaced the sensors (with after-market ones using the exact same BT codes as the originals) I could see each sensor worked via the car diagnostics (which would show all the info of each wheel) - but the dash wouldn't display the readings - only a message will be displayed, then never did...
eventually I had another proper look and somehow I'd duplicated one sensor ID twice - and then even though they ALL worked and even though the car knew 3 were 100% correct and the 4th was transmitting pressure and tyre temp data nothing happened. I re-did the sensor with its correct code and the whole set-up sprung into life
NOTE: you have to drive a few hundred yards or wake the sensors up with a tool
They're aftermarket sensors that I bought on ebay, and I activated them using a Foxwell hadnheld TPMS tool. My tire shop has also activated them more than once, but they don seem to register with the car. I'll try to get it to reset somehow, but so far I don't even get that option. A little history is that the car sat for quite a while during the pandemic, and I'm beginning to suspect that moisture may have impacted a few electrical components. I just replaced the reverse camera control module which is a similar type of component, and my camera instantly worked again. I'm thinking that the TPMS control module is dead, but I haven't quite gotten to that point yet.
if you don't have a wake up device for the sensors - plug decent diagnostics in the ODB2 socket and go for a 1mile drive - leaving it running now look to see if the car is seeing all 4 sensors with readout of temps and pressures... that will tell you if the sensors and the receivers behind the wheel arch liners are operating. if all 4 are awake double check the codes the car had and the codes you are trying now
after-market sensors give the better option to replicate the original sensors so
1) you don't need to mess with the car and get it wrong
2) you can use more than one set of wheels
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