Toytota Sienna Tire Pressure Light

[johnkirkpatrick]

Our tire pressure light comes on after ~30 minutes of driving. We have reset the system, had the dealer check and reset the system, blanaced the tires, got an alignment but nothing helps. When it has come on we stop and check the pressure (always the same), and then go through the reset and normally it is back on in under 5 minutes. Dealer can not find a problem. Any ideas?

[Carsloverjcl]

I'm guessing you have the 2004 model right? I don't seem to have the problem.

_____________________________
1996 Toyota Camry XLE V6
2004 Toyota Sienna XLE Limited AWD w/ Package # 3

[mcgowanw]

I have the same problem with my 2000 Sienna purchased this summer. A friend also has the same problem. One thing in common is we both have Michelin replacement tires. I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not. I've become accustomed to the light to the point that I just ignore it and assume that it is a false warning, which basically negates any positive aspects to having the system.

[beidler]

Originally Posted by mcgowanw

I have the same problem with my 2000 Sienna purchased this summer. A friend also has the same problem. One thing in common is we both have Michelin replacement tires. I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not. I've become accustomed to the light to the point that I just ignore it and assume that it is a false warning, which basically negates any positive aspects to having the system.

I have an 04AWD that works for now. I would try replacing the valve stems first. Next, I would rotate the spare in on all four locations to try and isolate the faulty transmitter. If that doesn't help, then the receiving unit must be faulty, I would locate the fuse for the tire pressure warning system and remove it. Read the manual to determine that critical functions(ABS, ect) are not supported on the same circuit before disabling.

Good luck

[harveybrown]

[quote=johnkirkpatrick]Our tire pressure light comes on after ~30 minutes of driving.

We just got a new Sienna and do not have this problem. Our salesman said the tire "pressure sensor" actually measures a distance, not a pressure. It was something like the distance from the body of the car to the tire or maybe from the body to the road, can't remember. It learns the correct distance when you hit the reset and drive. It would be useful to know where the sensors are located and what they actually measure. I am thinking an ultrasonic radar, perhaps. A loose sensor would certainly cause problems. Ditto for loose wire. Badly aimed sensor.

[nablan]

I had the same problem. After many balancing and visits to Toyota dealer finally it is gone.

[walloutlet]

Strange, I never had the tire light thing until I replaced those crappy Dunlop SP 40's originals... they are crap!!!! Poor wear, poor traction, poor everything... DONT BUY DUNLOP is the only message I got from those tires and can't figure out why Toyota would put almost the worst tire on the market on there product line. check this link out....http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ay.jsp?type=AS

2001 Sienna....

Anyway, back to the light thing... I originally had 65's and put on 70's which are considered standard equipment as I read it on the door and (bought michelin harmony). And I drove 3000 kms and now my light comes on too. Strange why nothing happened for 3000K and just started up. I heard people say about resetting it? How do you do that or do you have to take it in? I think with the slightly different profile of my tires that is what is causing it. Strange that we all have michelins.... mind you michelin books show the 70 is the size and Toyota initially installed 65's on mine.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.
btw - I still love Toyota's! They are still by far the best out there in my opinion.

Originally Posted by mcgowanw

I have the same problem with my 2000 Sienna purchased this summer. A friend also has the same problem. One thing in common is we both have Michelin replacement tires. I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not. I've become accustomed to the light to the point that I just ignore it and assume that it is a false warning, which basically negates any positive aspects to having the system.

[walloutlet]

Hi all,
After listening to some talk about resetting the system I read in my manual how to do it. Any time you change, balance or rotate tires you have to reset the system. All you do is park your van in a save spot, put the park brake on (not sure why but it says so in the manual), turn the key to on so the dash lights come on and press and hold the reset button in... the tire pressure light blinks 3 times and now you are good to go!
If this were a Ford I would have had to have them hook up a diagnostic machine and they would charge me for the call.... I can say this as I owned a 95 windcrap and will never buy a Ford again...and I remind people of this always... I even have trained my kids.... see that logo....never buy one....EVER! oh and DUNLOP tires are now on my list too!
Bad companies deserve bad PR considering vehicles are not cheap to buy and the consumer should get a reliable vehicle for a small mortgage.
Hey but I love all my Toyota's... that's all we buy around here.

Originally Posted by walloutlet

Strange, I never had the tire light thing until I replaced those crappy Dunlop SP 40's originals... they are crap!!!! Poor wear, poor traction, poor everything... DONT BUY DUNLOP is the only message I got from those tires and can't figure out why Toyota would put almost the worst tire on the market on there product line. check this link out....http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ay.jsp?type=AS

2001 Sienna....

Anyway, back to the light thing... I originally had 65's and put on 70's which are considered standard equipment as I read it on the door and (bought michelin harmony). And I drove 3000 kms and now my light comes on too. Strange why nothing happened for 3000K and just started up. I heard people say about resetting it? How do you do that or do you have to take it in? I think with the slightly different profile of my tires that is what is causing it. Strange that we all have michelins.... mind you michelin books show the 70 is the size and Toyota initially installed 65's on mine.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.
btw - I still love Toyota's! They are still by far the best out there in my opinion.

[jzchen]

Originally Posted by johnkirkpatrick

Our tire pressure light comes on after ~30 minutes of driving. We have reset the system, had the dealer check and reset the system, blanaced the tires, got an alignment but nothing helps. When it has come on we stop and check the pressure (always the same), and then go through the reset and normally it is back on in under 5 minutes. Dealer can not find a problem. Any ideas?

As I understand the system used uses the indirect method of checking tire pressure, which as the manual says is can fail 50% of the time. (It uses the same sensors the ABS system uses to measure the amount of revolutions the tire makes. Deflection caused by a flat tire causes more revolutions than the others and hence triggers the light... More info is availabe at tirerack.com.) Well anyways, are the tires all the same tread depth? If you do not change all 4 tires at the same time it may be the cause. Also not rotating them diligently may cause one or more to wear more than the others, causing the sensor to trigger also.