Ford F150 Tire Pressure Sensor Fault: Causes and Solutions

Ford f150 tire pressure sensor problems are mainly caused by a dead TPMS sensor battery. There are a few more alternative factors like Signal Interference, False TPMS Relearning which also cause TPMS sensor faults. Only new tires with faulty TPMS sensor issues need to be relearned by the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). Otherwise, in case of faulty issues, reset the TPMS sensors.

So How do you fix ford f150 tire pressure sensor fault? Do you want to know in detail? Keep reading, you will get there!

Reasons Behind Tire Pressure Sensor Fault 

Ford F-150 Tire Pressure Monitoring System(TPMS) Could show a tire pressure fault on the TPMS dashboard for Several Reasons. Below, We will figure out what are the reasons behind tire pressure sensor faults.

Reason 1: Faulty Tire Pressure Sensor

Ford F-150 TPMS sensor is connected to a wide range of electric devices. So, interconnectivity can lead to tire pressure sensor faults. 

As an example, the Sensor sends a signal to the control panel, which is then processed and displayed on the TPMS dashboard. Any malfunction of these devices or sensors results in a tire pressure sensor fault.

Reason 2: The Tire Pressure Sensor Lost Communication

Sometimes, the tire pressure control module and the tire pressure sensor lose communication with each other. Whenever that happens the tire pressure sensor fault message is shown. 

To fix this, just reprogram the sensors.

Reason 3: TPMS Battery

As the Tire pressure sensor is run remotely or wireless. It has a coin battery. The lifespan of a TPMS sensor battery is all about 5 to 7 years. But the coin battery also lasts a long time. 

A genuine TPMS sensor with a good battery can detect a problem immediately. When the coin battery became weak, the TPMS sensor will lose its capacity and ability to detect problems. 

The TPMS sensor battery cannot be replaced since it is sealed. The only option is to replace the old sensor with a new one.

Reason 4: Signal Interference 

As the TPMS sensor is remote or wireless, it uses frequency for the transmission of its data. 

The TPMS sensor can operate at low frequencies, but there might be a possible chance of transmission interference because of other wireless devices, such as mobile, radar, radio, walkie-talkie, etc.

Reason 5: False TPMS Relearning

Every time you replace the TPMS sensor, it needs to be scanned so that ECU can relearn the New TPMS sensor. But, if it fails to scan the sensor, the ECU considers it as an old sensor.

And it will continue the same problem after being replaced.

Reason 5: New Tires Installed

If you replace your tires with a different rim size, the TPMS light may come on. Don’t worry. Just make sure to relearn the ECU and TPMS. The TPMS light will go off.  

When You Will Get an Incorrect Tire Pressure Readings?

In some cases, your Tire pressure sensor will fail to detect the correct tire pressure, and continuously alarm that it has low air pressure. Below is the possible situation when you will get incorrect tire pressure readings. 

  • When you move to a new set of tires: Each sensor is set up to read the pressure within a certain combination of wheel and tire. Changing either the tire or the wheel will cause a different reading from the pressure sensor.
  • After your tire rotation: If you rotate your tyres, the Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) module in your car will get confused about where the sensors are located. 
  • When you switch to summer or winter tires: While switching the summer/winter tires, your ford 150 may be confused about its TPMS, So it needs relearn after every possible season tire change. 

How to Reset Ford F-150 Tire Pressure Sensor Fault

When you are going to reset The TPMS sensor, take the proper instruments and follow the steps properly. It is recommended that you manually activate the sensor by lowering the pressure in the tires; however, you should only do this if you have a pump or a compressor on hand.

In any case, a restart or TPMS training as it is referred to on the board computer of the F-150 is often helpful if the warning light will not turn off, even though the sensors are operational. Below are the steps so that you can easily fix it

Tools Needed

  1. Screwdriver

Step 1: First, start your Ford F-150 and drive it above 20 mph for two minutes so that the sensor can “wake up” and continue working.

Step 2: Place the car in a secure area that is clutter-free and has easy access to a tire pump or inflator.

Step 3: Now, turn the ignition off. You should move the ignition switch to the “On” position, but you should not start the engine.

Step 5: When the ignition is turned to the “On” position, you have 10 seconds to hit the hazard light button 6 times (another way of saying switch the hazard lights on and off three times).

Step 6: When you have pressed the button a total of 6 times, your vehicle’s horn should honk once to indicate that it is now operating in the reset or relearn mode. 

Step 7: On your dashboard, the TPMS will display a notice that instructs you to “Train Left Front Tire.”

Step 8: You have 2 minutes from the time the notification is shown to complete the training for the sensor located on the left front tire.   

Step 9: To train a TPMS, unscrew the tire valve cap with screwdriver and press on the valve core to release some air until the vehicle’s horn honks once. After that, screw the cap back on.

Step 10: The only beep indicates that the TPMS training for one tire was completed successfully. Also, you need to complete training for the next tire within the first two minutes after the honk.

Step 11: Keep the training as you go in a clockwise direction around the car until you reach the front right tire. You should be able to tell when it is time to go on to the next tire by listening for a single honk from the vehicle’s horn.

Step 12: When you have trained all 4 of your tires to rotate in a clockwise pattern, you should return to the inside of the car.

Step 13: A notification that says “Training Complete” must appear on your instrument panel. Verify this by clicking the “OK” button.

Step 14: To leave the TPMS to reset mode, switch off the ignition, and then turn it back on again immediately thereafter.

Step 15: Using the tire pump, check that the amount of pressure in each tire is adjusted to the appropriate level.

How to Replace the Tire Pressure Sensor On a Ford F-150?

To replace The TPMS sensor, take the proper instruments and follow the below steps properly.

Tools Needed

  1. Balancing machine
  2. Screwdriver

Step 1: Remove the tire from your car. Loosen the valve steam and wait for a while so that air comes out.

Step 2: Set the tire on the balancing machine 90 degrees away from the TPMS sensor (the TPMS sensor is mostly located on the Valve steam) and start loosening the wheel.

Step 3: Set the loosened tire on the balancing machine for spinning, but be careful about the sensor, set the spinning machine right before the valve steam, then start spinning and remove the wheel.

Step 4: Remove the old Sensor with a Screwdriver.

Step 5: Set the new TPMS sensor on the Valve steam.

Step 6: Set the rim on the blanching machine, and use lubricate on the wheel.

Step 7: Set the sensor 180 degrees away from the spinning arms. they start spinning again.

Step 8: Release the tire, and inflate the tire again.

Step 9: Check the tire on the balancing machine, and make it ready to use.

For more knowledge, you can check the video. 

How Much Does It Cost to Replace TPMS Sensors On a Ford F-150?

You can go to the Ford Original Equipment Manufacturer(OEM) to replace the TPMS sensor, they may cost around $350 to $450 to replace all 4 TPMS sensors. However, there’s an alternative way, you may go to a discount shop and can replace the TPMS sensor at the cost of around $250 with the labor fee.

Meanwhile, you can also, You can buy all four TPMS sensors for Ford F-150 on Amazon and replace them in a local shop at the cost of $50 to $60. And the Total cost will be around $100.

FAQs

Can I Run Tires Without TPMS?

Yes, you can use your wheels and tires even if you do not have a TPMS sensor so long as you replace it with a standard tire valve. You will, however, have a TPMS warning light that stays on at all times; however, you may have someone else reprogram the ECU to turn it off.

Do I Need to Replace TPMS When Replacing Tires?

The TPMS sensor is not something that has to be replaced when the tires are. The new tires you’re installing will probably be the same size as the old ones, and if they’re not, the vehicle can adapt to the different pressures on its own.

How Long Do F150 TPMS Sensors Last?

The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) F150 TPMS sensors have a lifespan that may range anywhere from 5 to 10 years and do not have a predetermined maintenance plan. It is to say that you should only replace them if one of them stops working.

Conclusion

So now you know how to fix ford f150 tire pressure sensor fault. The majority of the time, a faulty TPMS sensor will be the cause of a TPMS problem.

For a new tire faulty TPMS sensor, ECU needs only to relearn the new tire. Otherwise, we recommend trying to reset the TPMS sensors using our tutorial first to see if it resolves the issue.

My discussion is over now. good luck and follow the instructions carefully while fixing your TPMS sensor!

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William Baldwin

This Is William Baldwin, The Founder & Managing Editor of this website. Me and my team share automotive tips, tricks, and news

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Talha Atta

Talha Atta, a Mechanical Engineer and experienced technical content writer and editor at Autoglobes.com with a passion for the automotive industry.