Tire Monitor Sensor - 2002 Impala LS

I recently had a tire patched. Within a couple of days my Low Tire Pressure message came on. I have checked the air in all of the tires, added when necessary. When I went to reset the the sensor, it will not reset. When I use the light switch it does not beep after the third time and the Radio Settings doesn't even offer the Tire Monitor option anymore. When I contacted the Dealership they of course said I had to bring it in blah, blah, blah. Can anyone help me?

If your radio does not support the reset procedure and it will not reset with the light switch, it may be a sensor problem.
Are you makeing sure you go from OFF to PARK 3 times with the ign. ON.

My radio used to have the option for the Tire Mon. Just recently when I tried to use it was it gone. I did not try the shifter to reset it, I tried the light knob. The dealer said they had seen this once before two years ago but would not give me any clue as to what was wrong.

what you will need to do is find someone with a 'tech 2' scan tool(for chevrolet vehicles) or go to the dealership. they will have to run a system check and reset the tire pressure monitor through the scan tool. i would recommend that they run a check on the radio also(which can be done with the scan tool). any other aftermarket scan tool will not be able to do those functions. i did it to my 2002 impala(police package). the system check on the radio will reset it to original settings. if they ask if it is an 'uplevel radio', say yes. that should put your tire reset back to where it should be. it worked for me.
D.W.

After resetting, the TPM system requires up to 30 minutes of straight line driving in each of the 3 speed ranges to complete the calibration process

Why do you never have enough time or money to do the job right the first time, but enough time and money to do it again?
GREATNESS

After resetting, the TPM system requires up to 30 minutes of straight line driving in each of the 3 speed ranges to complete the calibration process

i don't know if my 2002 impala takes that long to calibrate, but that is true as to it calibrates at 3 different speed ranges.
D.W.

After resetting, the TPM system requires up to 30 minutes of straight line driving in each of the 3 speed ranges to complete the calibration process

hey GMMerlin, i got an 2002 chevy impala(police package) that has a light flickering problem when i turn on the rear defroster. i was wondering, since you work at a dealership, if you or anyone else has had that problem before. all lights flicker(interior, headlights, and taillights) when i turn on the rear defroster. please let me know something if you can.
D.W.

The rear defroster is a huge current draw, so the first thing I would check is all your battery cables and connections to be sure they are tight and clean. The battery could be getting weak, causing the lights to flicker, as the alternator (especically at idle) can't put out enough current to supply the demand. Lastly, if everything above checks out, it could be an ignition switch/harness assembly which is a fairly common problem with your car.

Lastly, if everything above checks out, it could be an ignition switch/harness assembly which is a fairly common problem with your car.
Rich, would that be the connector at the ignition switch anywhere along teh harness that is the trouble spot?

hey GMMerlin, i got an 2002 chevy impala(police package) that has a light flickering problem when i turn on the rear defroster. i was wondering, since you work at a dealership, if you or anyone else has had that problem before. all lights flicker(interior, headlights, and taillights) when i turn on the rear defroster. please let me know something if you can.
D.W.
Next time don't hijack someone elses thread :nono:
here is some info.
check the battery cables first
Any vehicle may have a low voltage display (if equipped with gauges), lights that dim at stop lights, slow cranking, no start, low generator output at idle or dim lights at idle when electrical loads are heavy at idle or under slow driving or infrequent usage conditions. These characteristics may be more noticeable with customer added electrical accessories, or with a discharged battery. These are normal operating characteristics of a vehicle electrical system and no repairs should be attempted unless a proven fault has been diagnosed.

During normal driving conditions, when engine speed is above 1000 RPM, the generator is designed to do two things:

• Supply the current necessary to operate the vehicle's originally equipped electrical devices (loads).

• Recharge/ maintain the battery's state of charge.

The following factors may affect generator and battery performance:

• Non-usage of the vehicle for extended periods of time. The vehicle's computers, clocks and the like will cause the battery state of charge to drop (For example; 30 days in a parking lot and the vehicle may not start because of a dead battery or a vehicle which is driven only a short distance once a week may end up with a discharged battery to the point where the vehicle may not start). This would be considered abnormal usage of the vehicle and the normally expected result for the vehicle battery, generator and electrical systems.

• At idle, vehicle electrical loads may exceed the low speed current (amperage) output of the generator and when this happens the shortfall comes from the battery. This will result in a drop in the electrical system voltage as the battery delivers the additional electrical current to meet the demand. This is equivalent to the brown outs experienced by homes and businesses when the electrical demand is more than the supply. See Figure 1.

• Extended periods of engine idling, with high electrical loads, may result in a discharged battery. Attempting to recharge a battery by letting the engine run at idle may not be beneficial unless all electrical loads are turned "OFF".

• Increased internal generator temperatures from extended idling can also contribute to lower electrical system voltage. As the generator's internal temperature rises, the generator's output capability is reduced due to increased electrical resistance.

The following are some typical examples of electrical loads:

System Amperage Load
Rear Window defogger 25
Headlamps (high) 20
Blower Motor (High) 20
Headlamps (low) 15

Depending on the vehicle application, generator current (amperage) output at engine idle speeds of 600-700 RPM can be as low as 35 percent of the full rated output. With enough electrical loads "ON", it is easy to exceed the generator current (amperage) output when the engine is at an idle of 600-700 RPM. This is a normal condition. The battery supplements for short periods of time. Items that affect the vehicle's electrical system current and voltage at idle are the number of electrical loads being used, including add-on accessories, and extended idle times. When the vehicle speed is above approximately 24 km/h (15 mph), the engine/generator RPM is high enough and the generator current (amperage ) output is sufficient to supply the current (amperage) requirements of the vehicle as originally equipped and recharge the battery.

Dimming lights at idle may be considered normal for two reasons:

As the engine/generator speed changes, so will the current (amperage) output of the generator. As a vehicle slows, engine/generator RPM slows, and the current (amperage) output of the generator may not be sufficient to supply the loads, the vehicle system voltage will drop and the lights will dim. Dimming of the lights is an indication that current is being pulled from the battery. If the battery is in a low state-of-charge (discharged condition), the driver will notice a more pronounced dimming than a vehicle with a fully charged battery.
When high current loads (blower, rear defogger, headlamps, cooling fan, heated seats, power seats, electric "AIR" pump, or power windows) are operating or cycled "ON", the generator's voltage regulator can delay the rise in output. This effect, usually at lower engine speeds, can take up to ten seconds to ramp up the generator output. This is done to avoid loading the engine severely. To increase current (amperage) output, additional torque is consumed by the generator. The engine computer (PCM) will ramp up engine/generator speed in small steps so engine speed variations are not noticeable to the driver.