Why is my Honda TPMS not working?
If your Honda's Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is not functioning properly, there could be a few potential reasons. The TPMS is designed to alert you when one or more of your tires is significantly underinflated, but various issues can cause it to malfunction. Let's explore some common causes and troubleshooting steps you can take.
Potential Reasons for TPMS Failure
- Low Tire Pressure: The most common reason for a TPMS warning light is simply that one or more of your tires has low air pressure. Check the pressure in all four tires and inflate them to the recommended PSI level, which can be found in your owner's manual or on the driver's side door jamb sticker.
- Faulty TPMS Sensors: Each of your tires has a TPMS sensor that monitors the air pressure and transmits the data to your vehicle's computer. If one of these sensors is malfunctioning, it can cause the TPMS warning light to illuminate. You may need to have the sensors inspected or replaced by a Honda dealer or qualified mechanic.
- Damaged TPMS Sensors: TPMS sensors can become damaged due to road debris, corrosion, or other physical impacts. This can prevent them from accurately measuring and transmitting tire pressure data. Replacing the damaged sensors may be necessary.
- Incorrect Tire Size or Replacement: If you've recently changed the size of your tires or replaced them with a different type, the TPMS system may not be able to properly calibrate and monitor the new tires. Consult your owner's manual or a Honda dealer to ensure the new tires are compatible with your vehicle's TPMS.
- TPMS System Malfunction: In some cases, the TPMS system itself may be malfunctioning due to a software or hardware issue. This would require diagnosis and potential repair by a Honda dealer or qualified mechanic.
If you've checked the tire pressure, inspected the TPMS sensors, and ensured the tires are compatible, but the TPMS warning light is still illuminated, it's best to have your Honda inspected by a professional to identify and address the underlying issue.
Why would my TPMS sensor stop working?
What causes a tire pressure sensor to stop working? They can fail due to dead batteries, physical damage, corrosion, or software issues.
What are common TPMS problems on Hondas?
Common TPMS Error Codes
Some common error codes you might encounter include “TPMS sensor not detected,” “TPMS sensor malfunction,” or “TPMS system failure.” These codes can appear on the dashboard or infotainment screen, or they may require a specialized scan tool to retrieve.
Why is my TPMS light on but tires are fine on my Honda?
If the TPMS light is on but your tires have the correct pressure, the most likely causes are a faulty sensor, the need for a TPMS reset or recalibration, or a low-pressure spare tire. You should check your spare tire's pressure and, if that's not the issue, try to recalibrate the system before having a tire shop or dealer diagnose a faulty sensor or other system malfunction.
Potential causes
This video explains the reasons why the TPMS light might be on even if the tires are fine: 58sMaxTheCarGuyYouTube · Mar 6, 2023
- Faulty TPMS sensor: A sensor in one of the wheels can fail due to a dead battery, damage, or other malfunction. This is a very common reason for the light to be on when tire pressure is fine.
- Need for recalibration: After a tire rotation or pressure adjustment, the system needs to be recalibrated. If it wasn't reset correctly, the light will stay on.
- Low-pressure spare tire: Some vehicles have a TPMS sensor in the spare tire. If the spare is underinflated, it can trigger the warning light.
- Faulty tire pressure gauge: If you've been using an inaccurate gauge, you may have overinflated your tires, or the system might be reporting an error based on a faulty reading.
- TPMS system malfunction: Though less common, the TPMS control module or other internal parts could be malfunctioning.
What to do next
This video shows how to reset the low-tire pressure indicator on a Honda vehicle: 52sHondaYouTube · Aug 24, 2021
- Check the spare tire: Inspect the spare tire and ensure it is inflated to the pressure recommended on the driver's side doorjamb sticker.
- Perform a TPMS recalibration: Follow your Honda owner's manual to reset the system through the touchscreen. This usually involves navigating to "Settings" > "Vehicle Settings" > "TPMS Calibration" > "Calibrate".
- Drive to complete the reset: After calibration, drive for at least 30 minutes at a speed between 30 and 65 mph to allow the system to fully reset.
- Visit a professional: If the light remains on after a recalibration, it is time to visit a tire shop or dealer. They have the tools to scan the system for a specific sensor failure and diagnose other issues.
How do you fix the TPMS on a Honda?
Pressure you'll need to reset. The system to do so your vehicle must be in park with the parking brake set if necessary. And the ignition should be on on the touchcreen.
