For the last few weeks, the TPMS dash light comes on at random times in our 2009 Fit. Some times it's on when starting the car. Some times it comes on after 30 minutes of driving. Some times it'll go a few days and not come on at all. All the tire pressures are at 35 psi. I've checked them multiple times with multiple gauges. It's not a tire pressure issue. Does this mean one of the sensors is going bad? Of note, the temperatures are starting to get lower this time of year. I'm in South Georgia, so when I'm talking about low temperatures, I mean in the low 50s at night and 70s during the day. We've owned this 2009 Fit for several years and this is the first time we're having issues with the TPMS. Stock wheels, stock tires, stock everything. The car is exactly as it came from the factory (no aftermarket wheels or anything like that).

 

It sounds like the battery in at least one of your wheel valve stems/ sensors is going bad. For all practical purposes the batteries in the sensors are not serviceable- you just replace them. Most large tire stores have the TPMS tool that can scan each sensor, one at a time, and tell which sensor is bad. In my mind, all four sensors have been in your wheels for basically the same amount of time- almost 12 years. If one is going bad, which is more prudent- replace all of them at one time or replace them one at a time as they go bad? Get a few tire shop quotes to do the whole job, and go with the best deal.

Each tire on your car that's affected will need to be removed and the outside tire bead needs to be broken loose from the wheel. The sensor/ valve stem needs to be replaced and then the tire re-inflated. Since only the outside bead is broken loose, you shouldn't have to re-balance the wheel. Once the sensor is replaced, the tire shop's TPMS tool needs to be used to register the new sensor to your car. If you do it yourself, keep notes of which sensor went where and what the id info is for each new sensor and where it was installed.

Google replacing TPMS sensors and you can familiarize yourself with the process.

 

2010 Honda Fit Sport. Had sort of the same problem last winter - on cold days when the temperature was in the 20's, the TPMS light would come on. When the temperature warmed up, the light went off. Will see what happens this winter. I assume the batteries are going low, they are the originals. You probably know that there are two tire warning lights on the dash: the TPMS (spelled out in letters) and the light that looks like a flat tire with an exclamation point.

Next time I get new tires, I'll proably ask for new TPMS sensors then while the tires are off anyway. Don't want to pay twice if I don't have to.

 

Ya, I'm getting the "TPMS" dash light. And of course, when I started the car today, no light. So, the flat tire light truly means a tire is low? The TPMS light means that a TPMS sensor battery is going dead??

 

Thanks for the in-depth response. I'm familiar with the TPMS sensors in general. My Mustang has them. Dumb question...does the spare tire have a TPMS sensor too? I was reading another thread where someone mentioned this, but it was a newer model Fit. Not sure if that applies to my 2009.

 

No, car only has the four internal sensors.

 

After some research about the history of this "feature", I finally decided to go old school and keep a pressure gauge in my glove box checking the tires occasionally rather than working to get all the sensors replaced and synched just to turn off the TPMS light on the dash. A bit of electrical tape over the light and now I'm not bothered about it anymore. (insert Scotty Kilmer laugh here)

 

Sorry to resurrect an old thread. I have a 2013 Honda Fit Sport. The TPMs light will not turn off. I have verified each will sensor is communicating however I am getting a code for left rear sensor communication. The Honda technician confirmed all sensors are communicating and was showing green with the honda dealer scan tool. When the code is cleared it comes back.

code: 38 I believe.

I bought a ATEQ-QuickSet tool. I can see all the sensor ID’s for each wheel.

 

That's really odd. Are your sensors original?
I've still got OEM sensors myself, but plan to change them for aftermarket when I get new tires, likely this year.

I'm not sure there's much to say for this issue, but I'll check the service manual later. Guessing, it seems like if 3 sensors are successfully sending a signal and it's being received and recognized, the system on the car's side (vs. sensor) is able to function properly regarding signal reception and recognition. Even though a signal is being sent by the sensor and scanners are picking it up, there could be some kind of degradation (or interference) in signal causing the car to not get it.

If the sensors are old, I'd just replace them all, although doing so wouldn't make anyone any smarter. If that doesn't work or doesn't appeal to you, well, I'll see what I can find reading and searching for the fault without tying it to a specific car make/model.

 

Yea I bought a ATEQ Quickset TPMS tool and it shows the sensor ID's for each wheel. Now every time I check the code its showing code 38 for the left rear TPMS sensor communication failure. Your probably right and I need a new TPMS sensor. I hate staring at lights on the dash.

 

My TPMS sensors are original, too. I think I will replace next time I get new tires. Where are you planning to get the sensors?

 

I've run into this problem before where the sensors were all working but still came up with a communication error. Turned out that the car either "forgot" one of the sensor IDs or one of the sensors was replaced without programming it to the car. Have the Honda technician pull the IDs programmed to the car with an HDS and compare them to the IDs pulled from the ATEQ. Reprogramming the sensors to the car solved the issue.

 

Good question. I don't know whether to buy genuine Honda or cheaper ones.

 

This is what came from the PCM from the ATEQ-QuickSet I have.

 

I can't advise on which sensors to buy, but for my replacements I intend to use rockauto and I'll likely select whatever brand is favored. So far I'm quite impressed with Honda's OEM parts, but I'd chance aftermarket TPMS sensors under the pretext that I'll be changing tires at most every 30K miles based on my experiences with tread on the Fit. Maybe that'll be two or three years, depending on how work goes.
May get a quote from Honda first, but if the difference is $50%+, and average lifespan for generic TPMS sensors is 5 years according to general internet assumptions, it'd be roughly square either way.

 

Does that only pull the IDs from the PCM? You need to also pull the IDs from the sensors and make sure they all match

 

I was looking at a tire replacement invoice, and it states TPMS Valve Core (4). Is that the same as the sensors? If so, do they normally replace the sensors when you get new tires?

 

Yes its my understanding that this ATEQ-Quickset is pulling the sensor ID's stored in the PCM.

So yes it would be best to check to see they actually match the sensors.

 

Welp my TPMS light is back with a vengeance. On for a few days, then off for a few days. All tire pressures are good. So, does this point to TPMS sensor batteries going bad?

Interesting fact...I use my code reader and it shows no codes!

 

MIne is doing the same thing. 2010 Fit Sport 160,000 miles.

Original TPMS sensors. When the weather is cold (below 30 degrees) my light will come on. Warmer weather, it stays off.

Maybe I'll put in new batteries or sensors in the spring. I should be due for tires by then.