Corrosion causing tire valve stem to seize onto TPMS module

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[silvervettes]

I agree! With these radials it's hard to tell when their 5, or so, pounds low. At least with a warning you know you should check all. Seems like I always have to add 5 lbs in winter and let out 5 in spring. Correct pressure is so important especially with petro going to the moon.
I was just in my new Enclave manual and it gives proper sequence of matching tire wheel positions. In step 5 it tells you to place "Relearn Tool" against sidewall within three inches of valve stem. Why do they bother putting this info in manual if you need an electronic tool to do it. Like I said in another post, both Costco and our biggest local Tire Store(as of last summer) won't do it. Tool must be expensive or it's a finicky job that takes too long to do.

What year is your enclave? My 09 doesn't need a tool. It sets by letting a few pounds of air out of each tire starting with the paSSENGER FRONt, then pass rear, then drivers rear then drivers front. The horn beeps when each one is set .

[GoldEnclave]

I am pretty sure that each model year can be recalibrated using this cumbersome technique. Regardless, I feel that the dealer should complete this via its Tech II tool so that I don't have to.

[FalconEddy]

Yes, I've had the seizure issue on the TPMS's (all of them).

The main reason for this is because the dealership was too lazy to replace the sealkit on them when they changed tires at 32,000 miles.

They were most likely already seized up at that point and they decided not to futz when them so they would owe the previous owner a new set of TPMS's.

I had to buy new TPMS sensors from TireRack for my new 18" wheels because two different places (not dealerships) couldn't get the old one's out of the 19" rims (unless they cut them outta there) so I could reuse them.  I told them to leave the sensors alone and purchased new ones.

. . Falcon

[Bruiser]

My Enclave is a 11' with 200 miles.  Manual states : ign on, press lock-unlock on key fob for 5 seconds,horn sounds twice(ready to learn), "tire learning active" on DIC, then using tool start at LF and wait for horn chirp, then RF, RR and last LR(horn sounds twice indicated relearn is finished, display on dash goes off, finally turn of ign.
This is same order as my 03 deville but could never get 1st wheel to acknowledge relearn. They never mentioned tool.'
On Cad. I believe I got info online as they failed to mention "Relearn Tool".
As far as your TPM being seized to rim I didn't have any problem at all removing from chrome clad alum. wheel. Nut with washer and o ring came off like it was new. This was last year on an 03'= 8 years. Of course valve stem cap was seized.

[joeandpaige]

THIS SUCKS!  I went to a Tires Plus for replacement tires for our 2008 Buick Enclave at ~65,000 miles.  They called later to say "your valve stems are requiring more than moderate force to remove - may we use more force?"  My wife (nor I) had a clue so we said yes.  Twenty minutes later they called back to say they "saved 1" but the other 3 were destroyed in trying to remove them.  So I said "ok - so how much is that?" - they said "$135 each".  I wanted to tow my car away as it was but at that point all 4 tires were off their wheels and there was no way to get it out of there.  I don't know if GM is run by a bunch of idiots or what - but all I wanted was 4 new tires (at $300 EACH!) and I left there paying ANOTHER $400 in parts when there wasn't anything wrong with my car to begin with.  After all this and the bailout - I've already purchased a Ford Mustang and will probably leave the GM family after 40 years.....

[JerseyDevil]

THIS SUCKS!  I went to a Tires Plus for replacement tires for our 2008 Buick Enclave at ~65,000 miles.  They called later to say "your valve stems are requiring more than moderate force to remove - may we use more force?"  My wife (nor I) had a clue so we said yes.  Twenty minutes later they called back to say they "saved 1" but the other 3 were destroyed in trying to remove them.  So I said "ok - so how much is that?" - they said "$135 each".  I wanted to tow my car away as it was but at that point all 4 tires were off their wheels and there was no way to get it out of there.  I don't know if GM is run by a bunch of idiots or what - but all I wanted was 4 new tires (at $300 EACH!) and I left there paying ANOTHER $400 in parts when there wasn't anything wrong with my car to begin with.  After all this and the bailout - I've already purchased a Ford Mustang and will probably leave the GM family after 40 years.....

Why were they removing your TPMS just to replace tires?  I think they owe you three new sensors!

[rpasetto]

THIS SUCKS!  I went to a Tires Plus for replacement tires for our 2008 Buick Enclave at ~65,000 miles.  They called later to say "your valve stems are requiring more than moderate force to remove - may we use more force?"  My wife (nor I) had a clue so we said yes.  Twenty minutes later they called back to say they "saved 1" but the other 3 were destroyed in trying to remove them.  So I said "ok - so how much is that?" - they said "$135 each".  I wanted to tow my car away as it was but at that point all 4 tires were off their wheels and there was no way to get it out of there.  I don't know if GM is run by a bunch of idiots or what - but all I wanted was 4 new tires (at $300 EACH!) and I left there paying ANOTHER $400 in parts when there wasn't anything wrong with my car to begin with.  After all this and the bailout - I've already purchased a Ford Mustang and will probably leave the GM family after 40 years.....

It may be "water under the bridge" here, but did they explain why they had to remove the valve stem in the first place?  If it's not too late you may want to go back to the tire dealer and tell them you want the "old" valve stems.

[GoldEnclave]

Valve stems do not get removed to replace tires. They would be removed only if the rims were being replaced, too, or if all four were being replaced due to TPMS malfunction. Demand an explanation and a refund for the unnecessary parts and labor.

[rpasetto]

Valve stems do not get removed to replace tires. They would be removed only if the rims were being replaced, too, or if all four were being replaced due to TPMS malfunction. Demand an explanation and a refund for the unnecessary parts and labor.

Exactly.  If the dealer cannot produce the old tpms stems and prove what's wrong with them they had not right to make this charge. Sad to say but this seems so much like a scam... take wheels off tires off and customer is pretty much captive... then make some phony claim?  Who is "Tires plus" anyway?

Quite a few yrs ago, (back when we lived in NJ) I went to a tire dealer for replacement tires.  I was told a wheel was "bent and needed to be replaced" because it wobbled excessively on the dynamic balance machine. I was fortunate enough to see that the wheel had been mounted incorrectly on the machine (unintentionally?)... told them to remove and remount the wheel on the machine and it ran fine.  Needless to say I never went for tires to that place.

[rbarrios]

many tires places will remove old valve stems and put in new ones.. the normal rubber type.
But with the new TPMS types-- I dont know why they had to remove the sensors....
You werent having battery issues (inside the TPMS sensors)...

I wonder if while they were putting the tires on-- the machine wacked and broke one of the sensors.... and then they tried to pass the issue on to you.

[rpasetto]

many tires places will remove old valve stems and put in new ones.. the normal rubber type.
But with the new TPMS types-- I dont know why they had to remove the sensors....
You werent having battery issues (inside the TPMS sensors)...

I wonder if while they were putting the tires on-- the machine wacked and broke one of the sensors.... and then they tried to pass the issue on to you.

Good thinking, rbarrios, I think you have the explanation.  joeandpaige, if you're able to get the "old" stems back you'll have your answer.

[JerseyDevil]

joeandpaige I hope you paid by credit card. I would backcharge it and then try to sort this out with the merchant. I don't think he treated you right. As a minimum, if he doesn't have a good explanation for trying to remove the TPMS sensors, which by the way I believe are two pieces which alow the sensor part to be re-used, I would not pay him for new ones. My guess would be he never replaced anything. 

[FalconEddy]

I have the answer to everyone question about why they messed around with the TPMS transmitters.

When tires without these are changed, the technicians will nearly always automatically take out the old valve stems and replace them with new valve stems. Stems are just as susceptible to leakage as the points between the wheel and the tire, and need to be changed when new tires are put on the car.

This also holds true for the TPMS system, with the exception that the part(s) that gets changed out is a sleeve and a base sealing ring that slides over a stem.

The problem with most of these systems is that unless you have either new tires put on your car within 24 months (or so), and the service department or tire guy puts on a new set of seal kits for the TPMS system, you're in trouble. These are notorious for the set nut locking up on the shaft bolt thread, and not being able to get them off without using excessive force to turn the nut. You can't get anything to hold the shaft from moving because it fits tight against the wheel from underneath. This results in the nut still being frozen to the shaft, and the shaft breaking free from the bakelite housing which then twists and renders the electronic components inside the lower section it was attached to useless.

However, you could try having the tires unmounted around 18 to 24 months of service from your new car, have the seal kit work performed, and remount and rebalance the tires. It won't be cheap, but it will be MUCH less than forking over $540 just for the cost of four new TPMS sensors should all four be destroyed, if they can't be easily removed to change out the seal kit, right?

When my 2008 (purchased used) original owner bought new tires around 32,000 miles at the GM dealership where she bought the Enclave, but they never replaced the seal kit at that time. When I finally ditched those crappy RSA tires at 47,000, it was too late. The TPMS transmitters were frozen solid in my 19" factory wheels. But, I purchased a no-name brand and saved a fortune then placed them into my new 18" custom alloy wheels. Good thing I had decided to go with 18" rims, eh?

. . Falcon

[GoldEnclave]

If a current set of TPMS sensors are not leaking, could it be reasonable to simply leave them alone when a new set of tires are mounted, and hope that they won't leak in the future? What is the leakage rate for TMPS sensor, anyway? If it is only a small percentage over the typical lifespan of a vehicle, then why play with them in the first place?