[ewrjontan]

Hello all, recently been having TPMS issues in my 2010 E91 (n52, x-drive, non-idrive). I've had the system inform me of low tire pressures before and ended up with a puncture on the front passenger tire. Replaced the tire and all was well until a few days ago.

I have been having the tpms light intermittently popping on and off. It would stay on for a little bit, then go away, then come back on, turn back off throughout my drives. Now it is finally staying on. I verified my tire pressures and all are well. I tried to reset the tpms however, when I click to the tpms reset menu in the gauge cluster, i hold the stalk button down to reset but it doesn't do anything. Above the reset text it just says "active".

Anyone else have this issue? I am assuming that at least one of my sensors batteries have died and the intermittent on and off was the sensor dying. Planning to run it to the tire shop this weekend but just wanted to get some verification if anyone else has experienced a similar issue. Had a bunch of lights pop on (and of course go away) when this first started. Brake, traction control, 4x4, etc and my tach and speedometer needles were jumping up and down. Not sure if related or not.

Ive seen a few posts regarding tpms warnings but no one seems to ever have a fix for them other than just deactivating tpms all together.

Thanks

[Serf27]

My E70 does this.
I get a tpms error and then it goes in an hour or a day.
I scanned the car for codes and it said LR sensor battery(or something like that).

I believe some tire shops have tools that can communicate with the sensors from the outside.

You can also check for codes if you have a scanning tool.

[ewrjontan]

Originally Posted by Serf27

My E70 does this.
I get a tpms error and then it goes in an hour or a day.
I scanned the car for codes and it said LR sensor battery(or something like that).

I believe some tire shops have tools that can communicate with the sensors from the outside.

You can also check for codes if you have a scanning tool.

I have a foxwell nt510 and checked every possible option figuring if there’s a sensor, surely there is a way to see which sensor is triggering the code. However, I found absolutely nothing. Did some research and saw that the e90’s, even with tpms don’t don’t output which sensor is causing the issue, at least from what I’ve found.

[Serf27]

Oh, this is on my e70, I’m not sure if it would the same on e90.

I use bimmergeeks protools app. It can read all the modules in the car.
I’m not sure what module it’s in but it did tell me there was in error with the LR sensor.

[ewrjontan]

Originally Posted by Serf27

Oh, this is on my e70, I’m not sure if it would the same on e90.

I use bimmergeeks protools app. It can read all the modules in the car.
I’m not sure what module it’s in but it did tell me there was in error with the LR sensor.

Im definitely considering grabbing pro tools. Too bad I’ll have to find a cheap android tablet or something

[Serf27]

It’s more than worth it.
I bought a $50 tablet from Walmart.
It’s not the fastest and battery life has worn down, but it works great with the app.

The bimmergeeks cable+the app+tablet was about $230 iirc.

[ewrjontan]

Originally Posted by Serf27

It’s more than worth it.
I bought a $50 tablet from Walmart.
It’s not the fastest and battery life has worn down, but it works great with the app.

The bimmergeeks cable+the app+tablet was about $230 iirc.

Hmm yeah that’s not bad at all. I was kind of torn between that or the bimmerlink/bimmer code app paired with a Bluetooth obd module. That way I can at least use it on my phone and truly have access to it all times (since I wouldn’t always want to keep a tablet stored in the car).

Curious if pro tools really has any more functionality compared to BimmerCode/bimmerlink.

[Serf27]

I’m not sure. I haven’t used that.

Protools can code almost any feature.
Read any errors and give diagnostic steps for some errors.
I keep the tablet in the glove box or the trunk.

This thread briefly compares the 2 programs and protools wins, but it’s up to you.
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1768129

[ewrjontan]

Nice. I’m definitely looking into it. Appreciate the info.

[ewrjontan]

Hmmm. So I ended up bring it to the tire shop and they got readings from all sensors. So batteries/sensors aren’t the problem.

Where is the module for this? Am I able to scan it and get a reading from it? I didn’t see anything with my foxwell

[Serf27]

There will be a code for it in “RDC” module.
The scanner most likely can’t read it.
The module is in the right rear wheel well, behind the carpet liner.

[ewrjontan]

Awesome. I’m assuming you are able to read rdc with pro tools?

[Serf27]

Yes, if the module is able to communicate, then it will show up on protools.

[Jaronbwall]

The Protool is amazing and unlocks numerous other "fun" mods for the e90. I run off a $50 phone I bought at Walmart. My new to me wheels never had sensors so I deleted the entire TPMS system on my car and removed the dash light. Wouldn't have it any other way. I do have spare tire and mini jack with tools in my trunk so I don't get stranded. You can find spare tire kits on eBay for around $150-200.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/18577735389...Bk9SR4jcj83OYQ

[ewrjontan]

Oh nice, I was planning on getting sensors for my summer setup but I guess I could just delete it too. Really wish they would release this app for iOs. I would love to just keep a bluetooth obd dongle plugged in and have it available to me via my iphone at all times but theres no way I am paying for something like bimmercode/bimmerlink when it doesn't have the extra functionality that pro tools does.

I ended up snagging a used RDC from a used 2012 X5 so I am hoping I can install it, activate it and call it a day.

[Serf27]

A $50 tablet or phone is worth it. Keep it in the glovebox or the trunk. You’ll find a lot of use out of the app and can code in some cool features.

You don’t have to delete TPMS. You can remove TPMS and enable FTM. It uses the abs sensor signal to detect a flat tire. My 07 e90 has it and I’ve had a few different wheels on it and never had to worry about sensors.
TPMS does let you know which actual tire is low, but it’s not worth the hassles of 4 sensors+a module.

[ewrjontan]

Wait for real? I thought the tpms setup was different (used different modules). I would definitely be into changing to the ABS sensors.

[Serf27]

Yes. It’s just coding and the difference is the TPMS module is plugged into the wire harness. Simply disconnect the module and code VO in CAS and FRM.
For TPMS, the car knows it has a TPMS system because it reads the module.
When you delete TPMS option from the VO(vehicle order), it will use FTM by default.

I’ve deleted TPMS option and it’s worked.
I’ve deleted TPMS option and added FTM option and it worked.

The downside to FTM is that if all your tires are low and spin at the same rate, the abs module sees no discrepancies between any wheel wheel speed so it doesn’t let you know you have low air pressure in the tires.
I have never experienced that in 5 years. + you can tell when a tire is low on air if all 4 tires were to be low.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1495676

[ewrjontan]

Wonderful, I just purchased the bimmergeeks bundle and got my hands on an older Android phone. I appreciate the info!

[Serf27]

Do you have a kdcan cable?
I got mine from bimmergeeks, $55 at the time with lifetime warranty. The $25 Amazon cable worked once and never again. Im using a cheap $6 OTG cable adapter from Amazon to connect the k dcan cable to the android device.

[ewrjontan]

I actually picked up the bundle (master license, cable as well as their bluetooth adapter). Should be here in a few days.

I actually installed my "new" (used from a 2012 X5) RDC and the car detected it on startup. The dash lit up with all four tires being low. I reset the TPMS and after a few miles of driving, my TPMS light went away. We'll see if it stays off.

[Serf27]

You can default code it to your car, I doubt it will make any difference though since it’s working.