Any BMW techs? Tyre Pressure Monitor on E46 Questions
Discussion
Well the thread title sort of gives it away.
The wheels on the Alpina are due for a refurb in the next couple of months, and thought I'd add to the things already comprehensive options list by adding TPM whilst I'm at it.
The local dealer parts guys are little perplexed, as the TPM listing on TIS/ETK lists parts only, no mention of loom, or indeed retrofit kit. They referred me to BMW GB, who automatically referred me to Sytners (as it's an Alpina and therefore to be avoided like the plague as far as they're concerned).
So, if any seasoned techs can answer these questions, be much appreciated.
Dunk
The wheels on the Alpina are due for a refurb in the next couple of months, and thought I'd add to the things already comprehensive options list by adding TPM whilst I'm at it.
The local dealer parts guys are little perplexed, as the TPM listing on TIS/ETK lists parts only, no mention of loom, or indeed retrofit kit. They referred me to BMW GB, who automatically referred me to Sytners (as it's an Alpina and therefore to be avoided like the plague as far as they're concerned).
So, if any seasoned techs can answer these questions, be much appreciated.
- Is the car (mid '99 build) pre-wired to accept the TPM module and anntenna? I think it is, as there is a warning symbol on the dash, directly beneath the temp gauge
- If it's prewired, and I get the relevant parts, where on earth do they live on the car?
- If I get that far, is it plug and play, or does it require coding/programming to the car?
Dunk
Eh ? AFAIK the E46 Tyre Pressure Monitor just uses the normal wheel speed sensors that are also used for DSC/ABS. I think it just works by spotting that the deflated tyre is going round faster than the tyre on the other side of the car. Do all E46s have DSC ?
On my E46, it took a pressure difference of >50% for the warning to come on, btw.
Nope - the early ones have an in-wheel mounted sensor, an antennae, plus a little module. From what I can gather, this allowed it to be sensitive to around 5% changes in pressure.
The Alpina parts catalogue for mine shows the in-wheel sensors and mounting kit (the mount is specific to the Alpina rims)
I think the M3s and later ones used an ABS based rotational system, which although less sensitive isn't subject to random rogering by tyre fitters.
The Alpina parts catalogue for mine shows the in-wheel sensors and mounting kit (the mount is specific to the Alpina rims)
I think the M3s and later ones used an ABS based rotational system, which although less sensitive isn't subject to random rogering by tyre fitters.
I will have to look into this but non of the E46's to date used TPM only E38/E39 and X5 upto about 01 and used it and that was the high version.
The system was expensive and as the e46 or 3 series is the main seller for BMW keeping the cost down was an issue.The TPM was replaced as it was found that wheel speed was more accurate and more reliable,and as all BM's come with either asc+t or dsc monitoring wheel speed was easy.
Whether a retrofit kit was ever available I dont know,but I have never seen an E46,M or alpina fitted with TPM-I shall look monday
The system was expensive and as the e46 or 3 series is the main seller for BMW keeping the cost down was an issue.The TPM was replaced as it was found that wheel speed was more accurate and more reliable,and as all BM's come with either asc+t or dsc monitoring wheel speed was easy.
Whether a retrofit kit was ever available I dont know,but I have never seen an E46,M or alpina fitted with TPM-I shall look monday
The two systems used are RPA this uses the abs wheel speed sensors and detects a change in wheel speed as the rolling circumference of the tyre changes when deflated.
The second is RDC which actually uses radio sensors in each wheel attatched to the back of the tyre valve, they can usually be recognised as the nut and bolted type of tyre valve, they work by actually sensing the pressure in the wheel itself and are more accurate than the RPA type.
The button inside the car should usually have the initials on it.
If you don't have a reset button or the yellow tyre warning light does not come on with the ignition then it is probably not fitted with the option.
The second is RDC which actually uses radio sensors in each wheel attatched to the back of the tyre valve, they can usually be recognised as the nut and bolted type of tyre valve, they work by actually sensing the pressure in the wheel itself and are more accurate than the RPA type.
The button inside the car should usually have the initials on it.
If you don't have a reset button or the yellow tyre warning light does not come on with the ignition then it is probably not fitted with the option.
Why not consider something like http://www.tyresave.co.uk/smartire.html
@fixedwheelnut - I know it's not already fitted, hence why I want to fit it. The warning light is already there, below the temp gauge, but obviously doesn't light up.
@forza west - much appreciated. RealOEM doesn't yield any retrofit kit per se - only the components for it (hence why my dealer is baffled). The real OEM listing (in light alloy wheel section) details the antennae, module, and the bits for the wheels, but curiously no loom or buttons - hence why I'm curious if the standard loom will have been pre-wired for it.
The Alpina parts catalogue details TPM for all E46 B3 applications, as the TPM mounts are unique to the Alpina wheels, although the transponders themselves are standard items. My wheels have the TPM transponder warning stickers on them behind the centre caps.
@phelix - nah, I'm an OEM whore, and TPM is the last missing option my car could have had when new, with the exception of folding rear seats and telephone, and I want to complete the set, as it were.
@forza west - much appreciated. RealOEM doesn't yield any retrofit kit per se - only the components for it (hence why my dealer is baffled). The real OEM listing (in light alloy wheel section) details the antennae, module, and the bits for the wheels, but curiously no loom or buttons - hence why I'm curious if the standard loom will have been pre-wired for it.
The Alpina parts catalogue details TPM for all E46 B3 applications, as the TPM mounts are unique to the Alpina wheels, although the transponders themselves are standard items. My wheels have the TPM transponder warning stickers on them behind the centre caps.
@phelix - nah, I'm an OEM whore, and TPM is the last missing option my car could have had when new, with the exception of folding rear seats and telephone, and I want to complete the set, as it were.
Looking at the dates of the post it is hard to say what year it was posted - I certainly hope it is relatively fresh. 
I have a 2002 E53 X5 4.6is with Nav, TV, reverse camera, 12th gen Bluetooth, rear entertainment package with the rear TV button and the AV IN/OUT, the towing package.
One of the options that the car was not fitted (very upsetting, as I was looking for FULLY loaded vehicle) is the tire monitoring system. Generally, I could live without one but on the local roads in this beatiful banana republic I already managed to get 6 inch aluminum rod driven in the rear tire that cost me $1000 worth of repair since I did not catch it in time and just recently I picked up a screw in the other rear tire that I was able to catch before the tire got shredded and the repair cost me only $5. So, the tire pressure monitor is a necessity out here.
I am planning on geting the 4 transmitters for the tires and the "brain" module. I already got the RDC button for the central console, next to DSC, Hill descent and the butt warmers, the button comes as a whole unit and I had to swap my old part for the newly acquired piece.
The WDC is showing the pinouts for the "brain" module and since there is no harness listed anywhere, I suspect that I will be forced to come with a solution to wire the antennas from each wheel well to the inside of the car. The RDC "brain" module would have been fitted behind the glove compartment.
So, the parts needed are:
the RDC module - 1
the receiving antennas - 4
the front antenna holders - 2
the rear antenna holders - 2
the tire monitors with valves - 4
the module with RDC button - 1
little screws to hold things together - gazillion
the harness - not available.
Therefore the harness needs to be made. The part for the connector that connects to the brain is not known at this moment (once I get the RDC module, I will check with the ONLY dealer in this country to see if they have a connector for it). The other ends of the harness will be spread all over the car, and without having the actual antennae, I can't tell which connectors they will use. I also suspect that some terminations will need to be made for the power, the RDC initiation button and the I-Bus.
If I find anything of interest, I will post it, if someone has something of value to add, I would appreciate it. I am also a member of the X5world.com under the same name handler.
I have a 2002 E53 X5 4.6is with Nav, TV, reverse camera, 12th gen Bluetooth, rear entertainment package with the rear TV button and the AV IN/OUT, the towing package.
One of the options that the car was not fitted (very upsetting, as I was looking for FULLY loaded vehicle) is the tire monitoring system. Generally, I could live without one but on the local roads in this beatiful banana republic I already managed to get 6 inch aluminum rod driven in the rear tire that cost me $1000 worth of repair since I did not catch it in time and just recently I picked up a screw in the other rear tire that I was able to catch before the tire got shredded and the repair cost me only $5. So, the tire pressure monitor is a necessity out here.
I am planning on geting the 4 transmitters for the tires and the "brain" module. I already got the RDC button for the central console, next to DSC, Hill descent and the butt warmers, the button comes as a whole unit and I had to swap my old part for the newly acquired piece.
The WDC is showing the pinouts for the "brain" module and since there is no harness listed anywhere, I suspect that I will be forced to come with a solution to wire the antennas from each wheel well to the inside of the car. The RDC "brain" module would have been fitted behind the glove compartment.
So, the parts needed are:
the RDC module - 1
the receiving antennas - 4
the front antenna holders - 2
the rear antenna holders - 2
the tire monitors with valves - 4
the module with RDC button - 1
little screws to hold things together - gazillion
the harness - not available.
Therefore the harness needs to be made. The part for the connector that connects to the brain is not known at this moment (once I get the RDC module, I will check with the ONLY dealer in this country to see if they have a connector for it). The other ends of the harness will be spread all over the car, and without having the actual antennae, I can't tell which connectors they will use. I also suspect that some terminations will need to be made for the power, the RDC initiation button and the I-Bus.
If I find anything of interest, I will post it, if someone has something of value to add, I would appreciate it. I am also a member of the X5world.com under the same name handler.
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