deaddog

I have a set of used '05 E55 wheels from a car w/o Tire Pressure Monitors that I want to use as winter wheels for my '06 E55 with TPM. My tire guy says I need to get a second set of valve stems with sensors in order to hook up the TPM on the winter wheels. Otherwise he says my dash idiot light for TPM will be on all winter. Anybody know where i can get these?
thanks

Luke@tirerack

your MB dealer will have them for some where around $800.00 (maybe more) or you could call me and get them for somewhere south of $400.00

deaddog

Luke - Thanks for quick response. I love the TR huge discount on these but I never expected them to be so much. Is there any alternative or am I stuck with spending another $400 or driving around with the idiot light on all winter? If I am ok with not having TPM in winter, do you know if there is way to turn off the monitor so light isn't on. Assuming I have to buy them: (i) do you have them in stock; and (ii) are they fairly idiot proof to put on wheels?

Thanks

Luke@tirerack

as far as I know there is no way to turn off the TPMS system .... so, either put up with the idiot light or get the sensors ..... they are pretty simple to install and we typically have them in stock

deaddog

Thanks Luke - what is the latest I can order them today to get them out FedEX OVERNIGHT to Chicago (60606).

Luke@tirerack

now would be good

deaddog

I'm calling you now

Luke@tirerack

done deal ... you will see them tomorrow

deaddog

Luke
Received the sensors. Had them installed. After a few miles driving, I am now getting warning message that no sensors are present. My installer had called TR to confirm how to put them together and install them so he is pretty confident he installed them correctly. Any ideas?

deaddog

Still getting no sensors found message. Seems odd that all four are bad. My installer insists he put them on correctly and tells me there is no "on/off" type switch. Any suggestions? I anticiapte that the dealer will tell me its my problem b/c of using Tire Rack sensors so I'd like some ammo before I call them

thanks

Luke@tirerack

you do need to reintialize the system for the sensors to be read ..... the procedure is clearly outlined in your owners manual ....

deaddog

This isn't a renitilization issue - that isnt the message displayed. Instead, I'm getting "Tire pressure monitor inoperative No wheel sensors." I bleieve this means the car is not detecting the presence of wheel sensors. Do you have any suggestions? I hate to have to take the car in, unmount the tires and remove the sensors to return to you if they're not defective.

SUNILP

In order to use new sensors, you need to install them, keep a record of the ID of each sensor. Then these have to be taken to a dealer with a DAS system so it can be programmed. There is a way to disable the system entirely in the car by using the SDS system.

deaddog

Sunman - thanks very much for the response. Sounds like you know what you are talking about. Problem is the installer did not save the boxes the sensors came in. Anyway to figure out ID from visual inspection? Any other suggestions? Assuming that I'm out of luck on making it work, how do I turn off the idiot light through SDS? And, will I be able to turn it on when I replace my summer wheels/tires that came with car?

Thanks

Luke@tirerack

ok I have the bible of TPMS on my desk ... call me and I will walk you through the procedure ...... it's way too long to type (especially when you have my typing skills or lack there of)

deaddog

Hey Luke - sent you vin by email
thanks

Luke@tirerack

WOOHOOO .... another problem resolved and the fix is on the way ...

deaddog

Looks like we're closing in on the solution. Here are the details for those with '06 E55. It appears that at some point during MY '06 MB switched vendors on the wheel sensors. TR book has the old sensors as being used in 06 E55 - and that is correct for SOME cars but not all. So, you MUST do a VIN search to be sure whether you are using old or new -- so, if getting them ask Luke to do the VIN search before shipping sensors.

Luke has been great about this -- figured it out pretty promptly and is sending me a new set of sensors. Still a PITA because I have to take car in and have tires taken off, new valves installed, mounted and balanced. TR will pay but it will still take up half a day and, for me, time is worth at least as much as money at this point. And, naturally, the sensors are way more expensive than the old ones.

But again, Luke did a really nice job of figuring out the problem -- its just too bad there was a problem in the first place.

deaddog

Well, I had my hopes up, but no luck. The new sensors are attached to valve with a much wider diameter thread base - -they won't even fit on the wheels. Obviously, not the solution. So, still looking for answers. I write this only so those looking to put winter wheels and sensors on their '06 E55 don't have to go through the same tremendous hassle

deaddog

Luke

Here is a crazy thought - in trying to figure out the problem, is it possible that the ''05 wheels have a different diameter hole for the valve stem than the '06 wheels. Remember from my first post that these are used '05 wheels that I am putting on an '06 for the winter. I've never seen anything that suggests this -- and your TR books certainly didnt say this - -but it is a possible explanation for the problem. Anyway for you to check this out before I return one or both sets of valves/sensors?
Thanks

Doug

Luke@tirerack

both of the sensors (Siemens / Beru ) use an 11.3mm diameter valve ..... so, I do not know why your installer is having problems getting them installed

deaddog

Luke -- I'm looking at both valves. At the base of the valve, the threaded porition where it enters the sensor (not the threaded portion that takes the valve cap), on the new one has a substantially bigger diameter than on the old one. The end of the valve - the visible part after installation that takes the valve cap- is the same. The difference in diameter if further evidenced by the fact that the metal nut that screws onto the valve body will not fit on the new sensor.

Please pull one of each from the warehouse and compare -- the difference is there and it is preventing installation.
thansk
Doug

StephenK

Best and Quickest SOLUTION!!!

Get the right parts from your MB DEALER and be done with it.

deaddog

thanks StephenK and I hear you -- but, I am a long-time TireRack customer and they have always treated me right. Thus, I want to give them a chance to make this one right.

Luke@tirerack

and he would still have the same issues .... see my following post for the exact reasons