SMARTIRE PROBLEMS

[s3c chris]

Hello all.

Not sure if anyone can help, and I know the early tpms system has been covered before, but thought I’d ask anyway.
I’ve had my 2008 Vantage for nearly 18 months now, a lovely car! No problems with tpms until the “check tyres” warning illuminated on the way to the MOT station!

The tester was lenient and he knows me well enough to realise that I would fix the problem.The following day for the first time in years, the nearly new rear tyres got a puncture……no light came on as it was already lit….

To cut a long story short, I bought a pair of new rear tyres and four new FOXWELL sensors and the coding tool.

These were duly programmed and fitted and I was hopeful the TPMS would work as it should again. It did for a short time but now when the car is started and not even moving, the nsf reading is a constant red light (pressures are fine) which does eventually go off but returns the next time the car is started. Strangely the sensor in this wheel was the original Smartire one, the other three were the current style replacements from Aston Martin.

I have purchased and programmed another sensor and the problem remains.

Is it likely there is a problem with the Smartire unit and if so can they be repaired or do you have to buy a used one and get it programmed at an Aston dealer? I have all the codes for the sensors if that helps at all.

Any suggestions are appreciated, the seller of the FOXWELL items seems confident the sensors would be ok and is only prepared to offer a replacement if I buy a new one from them and return the original for testing, a bit of a pain really!

Thanks
Chris

[drac]

As it eventually, connects seems more like a transmission problem to me. Can you scan the sensor with the scanner to check its outputting correctly.

I used the Autel sensors and Autel MaxiTPMS pad. I get a fault every few drives that usually goes away in 5-10mins. I get the impression the connection signal is not as good as the original sensors. I'm not sure if it's always the same one, I'll try and take note.

[s3c chris]

Thanks for your reply.

The FOXWELL and Autel sensors look very similar and so does the programming tool. I went for the former as I have the FOXWELL diagnostic tool which has been very good and easy to use.

Interesting to note that the Autel sensors can be intermittent at times but I am puzzled by the fact that the “red light” always seems to occur on the off tyre which is the one that still had the original style Smartire sensor fitted. This light comes on as soon as the car is started and the coloured LEDs have gone through the colour check, before the car has moved anywhere and whilst the three others are flashing and search for a signal.

I think I was hoping everything would just “work” with the new sensors unless I am overlooking something?

[Dewi 2]

s3c chris said:

Hello all.

Not sure if anyone can help, and I know the early tpms system has been covered before, but thought I'd ask anyway.
I've had my 2008 Vantage for nearly 18 months now, a lovely car! No problems with tpms until the check tyres warning illuminated on the way to the MOT station!

The tester was lenient and he knows me well enough to realise that I would fix the problem. ~~~

You tester might not have been showing leniency.
The Tyre Pressure Monitoring System was not a legal requirement for cars built before (about) 2012.
Aston Martin fitted them to earlier cars, but not because they had to.

I learnt about this when the TPMS failed on my 2009 Vantage. I think the car then subsequently passed two MoTs (main dealer) with the warning light displayed, before I had the system disconnected.

[Minglar]

Dewi 2 said:

You tester might not have been showing leniency.
The Tyre Pressure Monitoring System was not a legal requirement for cars built before (about) 2012.
Aston Martin fitted them to earlier cars, but not because they had to.

I learnt about this when the TPMS failed on my 2009 Vantage. I think the car then subsequently passed two MoTs (main dealer) with the warning light displayed, before I had the system disconnected.

Yes that’s right. Even if your car has them fitted it’s not an operational requirement to pass a UK MOT unless the car is registered after January 2012. Mine was registered later than that and funnily enough it has the old SmarTire system fitted. I guess they could have had a few surplus units knocking around towards the end of the six speed V12 Vantage run or maybe the car sat unsold for a while before it was registered. Who knows. Aston Installations fitted some Autel sensors for me about three years ago, which they programmed to the control box and so far so good. Get the occasional yellow light or warning message but they always clear. I think sometimes there can be connectivity issues as has been mentioned elsewhere. As an aside I saw today in one of the AM Facebook groups a post from someone who has developed a replacement control box for the earlier system and he claims it can be used with both old and new sensors, and the pressures/temperatures can be monitored through an app. That would be good news for many owners I suspect. BRM.

[KernowShep]

This is on an Aston Martin DIY (All Models) group on Facebook and might be of interest (someone called Matthew Ruddy has made a replacement TPMS device).
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Csb8Emgjf/

[XMark]

I bought a delete cable as I was sick of false alarms

https://astoninstallations.com/product/tpms-defeat...

[s3c chris]

Hello

Thanks for your replies regarding the TPMs issue.

I would like to keep the feature, if it can be made to work properly. I have tried again and the situation is the same, What I find puzzling is that even just turning the ignition on, the orange light and three of the tyre lights flash and the other is a constant red, not even attempting to flash. This has been the same with the two sensors that I have tried. It is very puzzling!

Perhaps I should have gone with the Autel sensors although they do look the same as the FOXWELL ones.

Afraid I still live in the dark ages and don’t have a Facebook account so am unable to read about the “new” system.

Regards
Chris

[Minglar]

s3c chris said:

Hello

Thanks for your replies regarding the TPMs issue.

I would like to keep the feature, if it can be made to work properly. I have tried again and the situation is the same, What I find puzzling is that even just turning the ignition on, the orange light and three of the tyre lights flash and the other is a constant red, not even attempting to flash. This has been the same with the two sensors that I have tried. It is very puzzling!

Perhaps I should have gone with the Autel sensors although they do look the same as the FOXWELL ones.

Afraid I still live in the dark ages and don t have a Facebook account so am unable to read about the new system.

Regards
Chris

Hi Chris. It may be worth speaking to James Hawkes-Reed at Aston Installations. James knows the electronics on these cars inside out and as I said in my previous post they fitted and programmed new Autel sensors for me three years ago. Lots of forum members here have used them and the feedback is always good. I have no affiliation with the company but they really are very helpful and very good at what they do. Fingers crossed you manage to find a solution. BRM.

[De-lurk]

Hi Chris

It might worth unplugging the Smartire control box for a minute or so and seeing if it will reset anything.

I have done this myself when I had some spurious warnings and it seemed to sort it.

Stan

[BiggaJ]

XMark said:

I bought a delete cable as I was sick of false alarms

https://astoninstallations.com/product/tpms-defeat...

This ^^^ I did exactly the same, £25 as opposed to several hundred and a whole heap of issues.

[Greathey]

XMark said:

I bought a delete cable as I was sick of false alarms

https://astoninstallations.com/product/tpms-defeat...

Me too and never looked back

[Import]

Likewise on my 08..I like checking regularly anyway..