Why You Can’t Replace A Dead Tire Pressure Sensor Battery

Why You Shouldn’t Attempt to Replace a Dead Tire Pressure Sensor Battery

Tire pressure sensor batteries have an average life of 7-10 years, although some fail as soon as five years, while others last 12. When they die, you replace the entire sensor. You can’t replace a dead tire pressure sensor battery because it’s embedded in epoxy. That’s done to protect the circuit board and battery from corrosion. The sensors were never designed to be repaired.

To replace a Dead Tire Pressure Sensor Battery, you’d have to remove the sensor from the wheel, open the sensor, dig out the potting compound, unsolder and resolder the batteries, add new potting compound, and reseal the TPMS sensor.

Some cheapskates have done it, but it’s a huge job, and it’s bound to fail. It’s not worth it. A shop would never attempt it, and it’s just not a good idea to do this on your own.

So, even though it’s technically possible to replace a TPMS battery, it’s really not practical.

Replace the TPMS sensor!

Is it the sensor or the battery?

Tire shops can test your sensors and tell you whether the battery is still in good condition. If you have to replace the sensor, a tire shop will be much less expensive than the dealer. Expect to pay $50-$100 per sensor. And you won’t sacrifice quality either since there are only 3 companies in the world that make these sensors. So you’ll be getting pretty much the same thing from a tire store as you’d get from the dealer.

©, 2021 Rick Muscoplat