New tires, now TPMS trouble...how to troubleshoot?

[DuallyDean]

I just mounted my second set (third, counting OEM) of tires on my 2018 Ram Rebel @ 130,4xx miles (it has the EVIC, if that matters). Prior to mounting the new tires, the TPMS system was functioning perfectly. Almost immediately after, I get a "Service TPMS System" message on the EVIC, and the TPMS screen shows with the Right Rear showing double dashes. Assuming I had a bad TPMS sensor (low/dead battery?) I figured I'd test the theory by swapping the RR tire to the RF. I expected the RR to now show a pressure, and the Right Front to be double dashes, but the dashes stayed at the RR. Additionally, the RF does not seem to update the pressure reading (it was reading 45 psi, and I inflated the tire up to 60 psi, but even after driving 50 miles to work the next morning it still reads 45 psi)
I assumed there was a "receiver" for each sensor near each tire, but internet investigation says there is only 1 module behind the left front wheel well splash guard, so where should I start trying to determine what component is at fault?

 

[06 Dodge]

Cant tell you where to look but will say I always install new TPMS sensor every time I buy new tires they don't cost all that much if you buy tires that don't include new sensors as part of the total tire price.

 

[62Blazer]

If they worked fine previously, you had a shop install new tires, and now they don't work......I would be highly suspicious they damaged the sensors when installing the new tires. It would be quite the coincidence that the RF hub or something just decided to fail while the truck was sitting on the hoist in a tire shop. It's possible something failed....but again it would be quite the coincidence. Point being the first thing I would do is inspect the actual tire sensors.

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

Agree. Shop damaged the sensor. It’s happened to me.

 

[DuallyDean]

Agree. Shop damaged the sensor. It’s happened to me.

Well, that shop would be me. Actually, I don't own the shop, but I have use of the tire machines. Not saying it's impossible, but I don't think I hit the sensor when dismounting or remounting. I have driven it for a week now, and the weird thing is that it has intermittently shown the right pressure, but then goes back to the double dashes shortly thereafter. What I am gathering from the responses is that it is almost definitely a sensor in the tire, and not some part of the system on the chassis. What threw me was that the problem did not move to the right front when I swapped the right side tire positions. Could it be that the batteries in ALL the sensors are getting weak, and since the Right Rear is the farthest from the receiver, the signal doesn't make it there?
Regardless, looks like I need to buy at least one sensor (to start, anyway). Is there an aftermarket brand that people have had good luck with, or is this best purchased as OEM from the dealer?
P.S.--sorry for the long delay in reply...Push notifications accidently got turned off for this forum.

 

[BabeBlueRAM]

In my experience, even brand new electrical parts are sometime faulty.

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

Sensors typically last 8 to 10 years. My 14 has had Sensors replaced once, my 16 before I sold it once.

If the reading does not move with the tire, I suspect something with that corner first. If it's right rear, a number of instances have been reported where that sensor can't see the receiver.

You have moved the tire per your explanation and the reading stayed in the same location, RR.

I don't know what is wrong but I'd start there first. Replacement of the sensors is routine maintenance and I'd only use OEM sensors. But I think.you probably want to spend some time looking at other issues.

My opinion

 

[DuallyDean]

Sensors typically last 8 to 10 years. My 14 has had Sensors replaced once, my 16 before I sold it once.

If the reading does not move with the tire, I suspect something with that corner first. If it's right rear, a number of instances have been reported where that sensor can't see the receiver.

You have moved the tire per your explanation and the reading stayed in the same location, RR.

I don't know what is wrong but I'd start there first. Replacement of the sensors is routine maintenance and I'd only use OEM sensors. But I think.you probably want to spend some time looking at other issues.

My opinion

It's getting old watching the service TPMS system message at every start up. I am going to buy a single Mopar TPMS sensor off of Amazon tonight. (Mopar OEM 68249197AA)
If I'm reading everyone's replies and research correctly, my 2018 Ram 1500 Rebel needs the 433 Mhz sensors, but the closeup photos on the sensor is stamped 434 Mhz, even though another photo clearly shows OEM Mopar packaging. That makes me a bit nervous. There's free returns on the item but the biggest pain is that if it doesn't work, I have to break the bead AGAIN and remove the sensor to return...and STILL have a non-functioning sensor.

Was talking to a friend at work and he theorizes that since there is only one receiver module and it is located behind the left front wheel splashguard, the reason the problem didn't move when the tire was swapped to the right front might be because ALL the TPMS sensor batteries are weak, and doesn't have the signal strength to reach from the RR position. Is that plausible? I really hope it is as simple as a dead sensor, but...
If not, what "other issues" can there be to investigate?

 

[Ken226]

I am going to buy a single Mopar TPMS sensor off of Amazon tonight. (Mopar OEM 68249197AA)

If you buy one on Amazon there is a better than 50/50 probability it will be a Chinese counterfeit, and you go down the wrong rabbit hole replacing other parts on the assumption that the new sensor was good.

You'd probably be better off getting a Mopar sensor from RockAuto, or a pre-programmed Schrader sensor.

 

[turkeybird56]

See post #9 and OEM only. And yes they all be getting weak U just not know and verify which Mz U put in to be correct freq.