C-5 Tire Pressure Sensors

[Pat H.]

I'm helping a friend change the wheels on his C-5 for Z06 wheels. Can the sensors be reused? I've heard various stories including yes you can from tire shops. I also noted that CC sells them, but they claim different sensors for different years. Is it better to buy a set from GM?

[Terry M.]

Re: C-5 Tire Pressure Sensors

I don't know about C5s, but I can tell you C6s use several different sensors, and even different sensors for export cars. In order for them to work right you have to have the correct sensor for the year of the car. You can reuse the sensors from the old wheels, but given the batteries are good for 7 to 10 years you might want to consider new ones just in case. A good tire shop should be able to get the right ones, but a GM dealer should be able to as well, but no doubt at a higher cost.

[Vinnie P.]

Re: C-5 Tire Pressure Sensors

Pat...having just gone thru this with my 2012 Z06 (with more trouble than I care to explain here) when I replaced the original wheels & tires, I did quite a bit of research etc. best deal $$ wise I found for GM part #'s was at www.autopartstomorrow.com
and another vendor was http://www.orotekusa.com/ both were reasonable and fast shipping. If you visit the oro-tek website and enter your vehicle info, it will give you both the original GM part # for the sensor and the oro-tek replacement sensor. You can then go to autopartstomorrow and enter the GM part # and find the original GM/Delco part
Vinnie

[Ken P.]

Re: C-5 Tire Pressure Sensors

1997-2000 take one type and 2001-2004 take another. You can reuse the old ones but I wouldn't, just because of their age. The battery life average is 10 years.

[Clem Z.]

Re: C-5 Tire Pressure Sensors

if you are more adventurous type try this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjrT7WBG6U8 there also may be a chemical you can use to soften the epoxy and make the job easier

[Clem Z.]

Re: C-5 Tire Pressure Sensors

back in the day i used MEK( methyl ethyl ketone) to dissolve the epoxy used on the electronic ignition units from snowmoblie and dirt bikes so i could repair them

[Joe L.]

Re: C-5 Tire Pressure Sensors

All------


The current GM parts are as follows:

1997-2000-----GM #25981210

2001-2004-----GM #25773946

The problem is that these GM list for about $183 and $74, respectively, and one needs FOUR of them for a car set. For an early C5 especially, this could bring about a pretty impressive expense, even at a discount price. So, an alternate source would seem to be worth exploring. Would they be as good? Don't know. Might they be the same as GM? Possibly.

[Carl N.]

Re: C-5 Tire Pressure Sensors

Before you pay the GM price check with Discount Tire or NTB if you have one in your area. On my wifes '98 they were $49.95 per wheel installed. This price included balance and reflach of the computer. Just make sure the tire store you pick has done this work before and has the kit and instructions to flash them to the cars computer.

If you check the "other" Corvette Forum there are all kinds of threads in the C5 forum on this topic. Unless you are just insistant on OEM parts why spend the extra $$$$$'s as it may be years away before the C5's are judged !

Carl

[Terry M.]

Re: C-5 Tire Pressure Sensors

Pat,

You might add Tire Rack to the places to check for aftermarket TPS, however unless you live close to one of their warehouses (I drive 100 miles to get my C6 tires serviced by them ) the installation may be an issue.

Carl,
I doubt, even once we start judging C5s, we will be able to determine if the tire pressure sensors are OEM or aftermarket. I have one of those interrogators that will show the condition of the sensor and its serial number, but I don't think that is enough information to discern OEM from other brands. I just might just go out and wake up the tire pressure sensors on the C6 to find out, now that my curiosity is piqued.

[Lawrence M.]

Re: C-5 Tire Pressure Sensors

Is the battery life on after market TPS the same as GM's 7-10 years ? If it is less, say by a 3rd or 1/2 the extra price for the GM piece would be worth it.