Tyre control inactive?

gmc15 · Post by **gmc15** » Tue Nov 23, 2010 7:54 pm

Just picked up the new car - 2003 4.6is

On the way home I got a message on the dash saying 'Tyre control inactive'. I had a quick look at the hand book and it mentions odd wheels/tyres or some interference from another source. I have had to come to work so can't investigate further. Has anyone any ideas as what the problem might be.

Thanks.

Graeme.

phill · Post by **phill** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 8:09 am

Have a look at this thread.

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=761

Phill

gmc15 · Post by **gmc15** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 2:45 pm

Thanks Phill. I didn't have time to do any searches

The message is not on when I start the car but comes on after a few miles driving. I will try and check the pressures and do a reset.

I am having trouble getting my tyre pressure gauge onto the valves as they seem quite corroded. When I have more time I will clean them up and try again.

Graeme.

gmc15 · Post by **gmc15** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 12:55 pm

Tyre valves re threaded and pressures set using 12v compressor which will now screw onto the valves. Error message still appeared each time I drove the car. Booked it into a local indy who diagnosed one of the transmitters in a valve was giving a low voltage output and causing the error. The transmitter could have been changed but in the next few months the others would probably have the same fault so I got the guy to programme out the fault and dissable the tyre pressure control. Cost was Â£50 - which the garage I bought the car from paid

Graeme.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 1:17 pm

So which variants and model years use this system? I thought the ABS system was used to monitor tyre pressures and flag that there might be an issue. I know the US models have to have both ABS and RF wheel units for runflats, but I didn't think we had them here?

Richard

gmc15 · Post by **gmc15** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 2:00 pm

Not sure which years/models this affects. Mine is a 2003 E53 4.6is with 20" wheels. There are transmiters on the back of each wheel valve and sensors in the wheel arches. As the wheel revolves the sensors pick up a signal. If the tyre loses pressure it takes a different time for 1 revolution and so activates the system to a fault. Apparently ther batteries in the transmitters only last for 7 years or so. The whole valve assembly needs to be changed at about Â£70 each ( they are BERU TPMS's).

http://www.alloywheelsdirect.net/option/tpm_sensors

Graeme.

phill · Post by **phill** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 3:48 pm

[quote=""gmc15""]The transmitter could have been changed but in the next few months the others would probably have the same fault so I got the guy to programme out the fault and dissable the tyre pressure control. Cost was Â£50 - which the garage I bought the car from paid

Graeme.[/quote]
Do you know how they disabled the tyre pressure control, as I was told that you could not disable it??

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gmc15 · Post by **gmc15** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 4:43 pm

Sorry Phill, I don't know what they did. I just put it in the garage and they did it

Graeme.

jango-fett · Post by **jango-fett** » Sat Jan 08, 2011 10:31 am

Hi, the option code for the tyre pressure sensor can be removed from the vehicle order data stored in the car. Once the complete vehicle is recoded without the option, the other ECUs no longer look for it, once the tyre pressure ECU is disconnected there will be no more errors. This can also be done to the self levelling suspension if it breaks, just fit standard springs and dampers then recode without the option.......

phill · Post by **phill** » Sat Jan 08, 2011 11:56 am

Cheers thanks, at the moment they seem to be working again, think it was the cold weather that made the system come up the tyre pressure inactive, but will keep the above in mind for the future.

Phill

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X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sat Jan 08, 2011 12:08 pm

That souds like the batteries are getting tired as the chemical reaction slows down in very cold weather. I've got a couple of outside weather sensors at home which were flagging low battery in the really cold weather, but are fine again now.

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 11:51 am

I'm reviving this thread as once and for all i'd like to deal with it. Having just fitted new rubber on newly refurbished wheels, i donâ€™t really want them all removed and split to fit new sensors.

My dealerâ€™s front desk techie tells me they don't know how to de-program the RDC system, understandably, it's not part of BMWâ€™s approved procedures. They're quite willing to help but guidance please on exactly what to do, so i can tell them how to do it would be much appreciated

sarcx · Post by **sarcx** » Fri Jun 01, 2012 10:21 pm

Hi Guys,

I'm in a similar boat 2004 4.6is which is reporting "Tyre Control Inactive", I had it in to the local car electronics expert and the car's reporting two of the RDC batteries are low.

My question is: How do you replace the batteries?

.. and.... Where do you get the parts from at a reasonable price in the UK?

Cheers,

Stephen

phill · Post by **phill** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 9:28 am

you can't just replace the batteries.

You need to replace the whole sensor in the wheel

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-X5-E53-TP ... 2a1a01dda4

you might be able to find them cheaper, but basically the above link is what you need.

Phill

weirdfish · Post by **weirdfish** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 9:36 am

I take it you have set your pressures as per book and then reset the system.

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