Finally got around to mustering up enough of that "might-as-well-give-it-a-shot-even-though-you-know-you-are-going-to-get-effed" feeling to have the dealer check out my Tire Pressure warning light. I must have been in a particularly masochistic mood to attempt this on a Saturday but alas, thats what my schedule dictated.
First, lets get these items out of the way:
1) 2007 Camry LE V6 20K. There is no pressure sensor in the spare. It's a temp filled to 60psi.
2) I am anal about my tire pressure. (I even doublecheck it sometimes with 2 different gauges - the disparity is amazing between manufacturers and quality -ridiculous) So, lets rule out the obvious - I have monitored the pressure through various temperature ranges and conditions for a as long as the warning light has been on.
3) The following things are NOT the cause of the TPMS light being on: the intense northeastern cold spell, improperly inflated tires, impact damage (i.e. hitting a curb. etc.), slow leaks, nails, or faulty CIA intelligence.
4) All tires are inflated to the 30psi as stated on the door sticker.
5) The warning light
blinks on strartup for 1 minute, then stays on. The MAINT REQ light blinks with it for about 15 seconds. Yes, this indicates a faulty SYSTEM as opposed to a pressure reading outside normal range.
6) The reset button does nothing, as well it should not, given that the indication according to the manual is that the SYSTEM requires dealer intervention.
Tried it anyway just for farts and squats.
Now heres the part you'll all enjoy
:
Got to the dealer at 9. You know the drill. I even bring a ride along so I can leave the car, but after explaing my problem he says "dont go anywhere yet.... I'll let you know whats wrong in about an hour." Right.
2 hours later he asks me if the sensors have been "messed with" because they see "scuff marks" around the valve. After telling him this was impossible because I have ETD rotate the tires and watch the whole procedure each time and that no one else has had access to the wheels, he tells me that one of sensors has been completely "ERASED"; that he has never seen this before; and that it will take the rest of the day to pull each wheel and recalibrate each sensor.
So in my head I cast a silent curse onto every remaining waking moment of this guys life and leave my car and have my ride take me home.
He of course does not call me when they are done for the day (notice I didnt say "job done"). I have to call him at about 4pm (they close at 5pm on Saturday). On the phone he tells me "he stands corrected" and essentially to forget everything he told me all day.....
HE SAYS: NOW I NEED A NEW TPMS COMPUTER
!!! Which of course will not arrive until Tuesday.
Needless to say I cast a silent curse upon all of...... nevermind.
In conclusion I say this:
I have seatbelt in every car I have ever owned. I make a choice every time I get in to buckle up or not. Theres also an ashtray in every car I have owned. I choose not to smoke.
WHY THE F**K CANT I HAVE THE CHOICE TO DISABLE THIS EFFING ASSWIPE SYSTEM DESIGNED FOR THE LOWEST COMMON MORON WHO WONT BUT A $12 AIR GUAGE AND USE IT?
WAIT - I KNOW WHY because if they had a disable switch, THEY WOULD ALL BE TURNED OFF !!!!!!
Final Word: A small circular patch of blessed electrical tape. (and when I get really feisty - maybe a small round shapely facsimile of a..... nevermind.
I will not replace the computer because I do not believe anything my dealer told me today. They are incompetent and "winged it" ALL DAY. They did not even appear to know how to properly diagnose the machine they are trained to service.
F**K ALL TPMS UNLESS THEY INCLUDE A DISABLE SWITCH.
Even more TPMS nightmares.....
Linear Mode
