Sometimes the most useful and effective tools end up being designed for some other purpose. One day while working in the Self-Service garage a member discovered out of desperation that a 6″ inch magnetic parts tray is a good replacement for the GM Tire Pressure Monitor Tool (TPM).
If you have changed wheels on your C5, or had a tire sensor go bad then you already know that special tool called the Tire Pressure Monitor System Programming Tool is required to reset the sensors. The official GM tool (part number J41760) can be purchased from Kent-Moore for $49.00, but essentially is an expensive magnet.
Interestingly enough the parts tray also has a strong magnet in the base of the tray. Originally it was designed to keep your metal parts in place, but it unintentionally makes the tray an effective replacement for the Tire Pressure Monitor System Programming Tool.
We originally picked up our magnet parts tray for $6 dollars at Northern Tools, and have been using it ever since our discovery. You can also find a good parts tray at Lowes made by Kobalt tools, but it runs about $15-19 dollars since it comes bundled with a tape measure.
Enjoy!
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
How do you use this tool? My TPM light is on. I checked the air in the tires, the readings are okay.
Thanks
To reprogram your C5 Tire Pressure Sensors takes just a few steps:
Thank you for sharing!
Does GMC use the same TPMS on their newer cars. I have a 2007 GMC Sierra (new 2008 body style) and the instruction manual procedure to reset the system just doesn’t work. I am going to have to try this magnet thing because I am getting pissed off at this light everytime I start my truck up, I have nothing to lose right now I guess.
SAME STORY HERE. 2008 GMC SIERRA, AFTERMARKET WHEELS AND TIRES THAT THE TPMS WERE TRANSFERED TO. I PROGRAMED THEM PER THE MANUFACTURES PROCEEDURE IN MANUAL, WORKED FINE FOR 10,000 MILES UNTIL TONIGHT WHEN I ROTATED MY TIRES FRONT TO BACK AND TRIED TO REPROGRAM AND ONE WON’T READ. LET AIR DOWN FROM 50-15PSI AND THAT DAMN RT REAR WON’T PICK-UP. DID IT 5 TIMES, NOW I AM PISSED OFF LIKE MY FREIND ANDY.
(WHY NOT A COW MAGNET, OR EAQUAL, WHY THE TRAY)
Nothing special about the parts tray except the strong magnet and its size. A speaker magnet or any of the ones you mentioned should also work. We are just fond of tools that we already have lying around the shop that can have dual purposes. Who wants to buy a speciality tool when a parts tray can provide the same utility?
Can this method be used on the c6 as well?
Any magnet will work on C5-style sensors. C6 sensors require a radio signal. Programmers I’ve seen run for $150 and up.
West Coast Corvette site lists a pressure sensor programming tool for $158.95. I recently bought a C5 and will give your magnet theory a try today. I have after market tires on the rear and the sensor goes off when driving even when a digital gauge is used. The rating is max. 51 lbs. I set it at 41lbs. When the tires heat up and reach +43lbs. the sensor indicates “tire pressure too high LR and RR. I have a “Snap On” tools tray that has a very strong magnet. Ialso have a few other options with other magnets to use if needed. Thank you in advance so much for saving me a large amount of money. Wish me luck.
Rich T.
I have a ’99 Corvette and the battery went flat on me this winter. The computer wasn’t picking up the tire pressure sensors. I did some googling and found this information. I used a magnet out of a hard drive I took apart. It’s a *very* strong magnet. I got three of the sensors to work but the Right Rear just doesn’t want to pick up. I tried one of those magnets on a rod that you’d use to pickup nails and got all three learned except that darn right rear. When all else fails is it time to replace the sensor? Any other tricks to it?
will this method work on an 2009 gmc 2500 truck? Is there any way to just disable or unhook the dam thing period ? Can you lower the air pressure for winter and reset the computer? I would really like too just remove the problem if possible.
My 2001 Vette is giving me an “XXX” presure readout on the right front. Is this an indication that the sensor on the wheel has failed? I also understand the batteries are only good for about 10 years, then you need to replace the sensors. Is this true?
Yes. It’s time to replace the sensor. MTBF is 10 years. If the TPMS is that important to you to be functioning perfectly, might as well replace all at the same time.