TPMS interference?

"mazda616" (mazda616) 09/20/2015 at 10:40 • Filed to: TPMS

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Took my car on a two hour trip this weekend to see my best friend.

2008 Mazda3 S Touring, almost 76,000 miles.

Has anyone heard of radio frequency interference messing with TPMS?

I was driving back from Louisville, Kentucky this morning and as I was going over the bridge over the Ohio River by Owensboro (where I live) my TPMS light came on and blinked for a minute (no beep) and then stayed on (which indicates a TPMS malfunction or communication error according to the owner’s manual). After I was past the bridge, it was off and hasn’t come back on. There were several barges below me on the river. Did I run into radio interference? All tires have the correct pressure, and the light hasn’t come back on since I left that bridge. Strange.

Tge Mazda TPMS operates on a radio frequency and has a car-body mounted antenna.

On a side note, my car continues to beat its EPA highway fuel mileage ratings even as it approaches eight-years-old and 76,000 miles.

DoYouEvenShift > mazda616 09/20/2015 at 10:51

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Never heard of it, but I wouldnt doubt it. More than likely though, the batteries are getting weak. They typically last about 5 years.

mazda616 > DoYouEvenShift 09/20/2015 at 10:53

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New sensors will solve it, though, right? I found them pretty cheap online.

DoYouEvenShift > mazda616 09/20/2015 at 10:58

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Yeah, theyve gotten very affordable over the years. A tire shop will obviously have to install them. Most cars you have to use a TPMS tool to activate/relearn them to the car.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > mazda616 09/20/2015 at 11:31

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Never heard of it. As far as I know automotive TPM systems run somewhere in the range of 300-400hz or so. Don’t know what barges or radios use. I wouldn’t say it’s impossible but I doubt that’s what it was.

Those sensors have batteries in them. 6-10 years is usually the life expectancy I’ve seen for them. Towards the end of their life they will often do exactly what you experienced. You probably just need new sensors.

mazda616 > DoYouEvenShift 09/20/2015 at 12:26

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Rockauto lists two kinds of sensors. One is “best for shops” and one is “best for individuals.” I’m not sure which to buy. The “best for shops” is more expensive.

DoYouEvenShift > mazda616 09/20/2015 at 12:57

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Thats weird. Ive never heard of that. I guess avoid the one that says “requires Doorman tool”