Hey -

Just picked up my Element with new tires tonight from my long-time mechanic...and one of my TPMS got broken on install. The light with the "!" point is on and they have ordered a replacement.

Problem is, I probably won't be able to get it back in for a couple weeks to be repaired.

Is this at all harmful to my Element? I just got it last month so this is painful!

It will not hurt as long as your sure the tire pressure is in a safe range... the light may hurt you eyes being on for a week though!

Did they give you back the broken TPMS? I have read on other car forums fooling the system by putting the sensors in a pressurized vessel such as a wheelbarrow tire (which they keep in the spare tire well).

It will not hurt as long as your sure the tire pressure is in a safe range... the light may hurt you eyes being on for a week though!

Ok, Good to know. It's hard to have your brand new Element have something broken on its first trip into the shop!!

Did they give you back the broken TPMS? I have read on other car forums fooling the system by putting the sensors in a pressurized vessel such as a wheelbarrow tire (which they keep in the spare tire well).

Nope, I picked it up after main mechanic had left. Alas.

Ok, I was rooting for you to do a little experiment on behalf of the EOC :D

Make sure, when they install the new one, to have them program it in to the sysem of your E. It may be obvious to some, but i broke mine last winter and it took me 3 trips back to the dealer and maybe 3 different people i spoke with to get it right and then it took them couple hours to figure out how to do it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Make sure the tpms sensor registers, and you can do that by driving around the block with somebody from the shop. This will save you some time and aggravation. And i see you're from Chicago, i bought mine at the honda dealer in Des Plaines, just to let you know, if you ever end up there make sure the only person you deal with is Tom, young guy with a greek last name.

At the risk of being snarky, I've never heard of a problem with the TPMS that couldn't be solved by a little piece of black tape on the gauge cluster.

I can't believe the grief people put up with over this.

At the risk of being snarky, I've never heard of a problem with the TPMS that couldn't be solved by a little piece of black tape on the gauge cluster.

I can't believe the grief people put up with over this.

Heh heh. I'd do that mod but I don't want my cluster to get all gummy. That and I want to celebrate when that bulb finally burns out.:grin:

I wouldn't settle for a ten-cent fix on a $20,000 vehicle, JMO.

Also the gauge cluster is at an angle for the 07+. And I have a personal vendetta against idiot lights.

I want to celebrate when that bulb finally burns out.:grin:
Don't hold your breath. I think it's an LED.

Don't hold your breath. I think it's an LED.

LOL. I don't think I'm a fan of TPMS. I've driven for many, many years without it and never had an issue. Now it's kinda an annoyance!

I do have to stare at the Triangle! for a week or two now. MEH! But I've noticed it likes to stay on when it's a bit chilly out anyway.

Thanks for telling me nothing is hurt, though. I've calmed down now.

Make sure, when they install the new one, to have them program it in to the sysem of your E. It may be obvious to some, but i broke mine last winter and it took me 3 trips back to the dealer and maybe 3 different people i spoke with to get it right and then it took them couple hours to figure out how to do it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Make sure the tpms sensor registers, and you can do that by driving around the block with somebody from the shop. This will save you some time and aggravation. And i see you're from Chicago, i bought mine at the honda dealer in Des Plaines, just to let you know, if you ever end up there make sure the only person you deal with is Tom, young guy with a greek last name.Sounds like a classic case of the flat-rate hustle to me :twisted:

IMO under normal circumstances such as simply replacing a sensor, a dealer should ensure that ALL the sensors have been re-initialized, the tire pressures set to factory specs, the vehicle is road-tested and that the system is checked for DTC's and pressure recognition by the sensors BEFORE being returned to you.

It sounds like alot of work written out on here, but I've done several TPMS jobs and in reality, once the sensor is replaced and the vehicle is back together the checks can be done fairly quickly by the technician on his own.

Heh heh. I'd do that mod but I don't want my cluster to get all gummy. :

Take some blue painters tape and blacken it with a sharpie. Cut it to precise size and you're good for months, if need be.

This experience comes from running winter tires on wheels w/o the TPMS.