TPMS Warning Light Problem - Mazda3 GT

[jcsarp]

I am having a TPMS problem on my new 2007 Mazda3 GT. The TPMS (Tire Pressure) warning light (!) turns on when I drive. It will flicker, and then stay lit, turning off during the drive and then sometimes turning back on. All four tires are holding pressure correctly. 32 psi when cold rising to about 34 - 35 psi when warm. The problem only occurs after the car has been driven for a period of time. The dealer said that a diagnostic scan indicated that the TPMS module was reading each tire pressure correctly, but the ID codes for each wheel sensor were not registered in the module. The dealer "registered" each wheel sensor and sent me on my way. The same TPMS warning light problem returned later the same day. No change. Do I have a defective wheel sensor or a defective receiver module? The dealer seems to want to use the "keep bringing it back and we'll check it" method. The problem is that most of the time just shutting off the engine for a few minutes resets the warning light only to have it return after the car is driven. Any ideas? Thanks.

[Rotus8]

Take it back three times, then ask for a new car under the lemon law. That'll get their attention.

[RIV3R3D]

i'm having the same problem. i am taking my car in on the 16th for the moter mount recall, i'll see what they can do to fix this then.

[major error]

See page 5-30 of the manual for TPMS info ;)

[knowledge007]

Um should be 32 psi in the front and 35 in the back. Or vice versa. Make sure you have the correct psi.

[rotaryguy]

maybe a loose or faulty fuse? do you have a sunroof? do they even offer a sunroof in the gt???
anyway, the fuse for the tpms on the ms3 sport version is labeled sunroof in the fuse block under the glove box...

[major error]

I would suspect a damaged/defective wheel sensor. (I'd hope the start-up diags would catch a dud receiver!)

Check all the valve stems. There should be absolutely zero movement since they are all-metal construction.
Also, try going to an open lot and listen to each wheel as the car moves at a low idle speed (2-person job). Listen for something rolling around in the tire.

I recently had a similar problem thanks to a botched mounting job at a local tire shop. Once I get some pics of the damaged module, it will be easier to paint a picture...

TPMS is a great technology that every car should have, but IMO it appears there's still room for improvement on the materials used and (non-dealership) mechanic training...

[GoFast]

yeah id put some more air in the tires. personally i run 36 all around

[knowledge007]

maybe a loose or faulty fuse? do you have a sunroof? do they even offer a sunroof in the gt???
anyway, the fuse for the tpms on the ms3 sport version is labeled sunroof in the fuse block under the glove box...

Not a speed...

[davegutz]

Do you mean to imply that the fuse for the speed 3 TPMS is not on the sunroof?

[davegutz]

I have similar problem on my MS3 and was wondering if you had resolution.

Mine is a 'malfunction' by the definition in the owner's manual - i.e. it blinks for a minute then goes steady. Unfortunately, mine is intermittent and has frustrated the dealer. Yes I can play hardball with them, but not yet. My plan is to swap my winter tires two at a time in different patterns (I have separate winter wheels with separate sensors and I have to change over anyway).

[Sacrilicious]

anyway, the fuse for the tpms on the ms3 sport version is labeled sunroof in the fuse block under the glove box...

wow...that's really useful to know, cause i'm running without TPMS for the winter...:D

[SilverMS3]

Originally Posted by rotaryguy
anyway, the fuse for the tpms on the ms3 sport version is labeled sunroof in the fuse block under the glove box...


wow...that's really useful to know, cause i'm running without TPMS for the winter...

If you can confirm this is true let me know.

[clos561]

keep taking it to the dealer

[jcsarp]

UPDATE .....

Here's an update for those of you that did NOT cause your own TPMS (Tire Pressure) warning light problem by changing wheels and/or tires.

My dealer took the time to contact the Mazda corporate "hot line" to discuss my problem (see below) with factory. The dealer was told that my Mazda3 GT was experiencing RF interference between the TPMS module and the rain sensing windshield wiper module. Mazda shipped an updated replacement rain sensing module overnight to the dealer. Problem fixed. No more TPMS (Tire Pressure) warning light problem.




I am having a TPMS problem on my new 2007 Mazda3 GT. The TPMS (Tire Pressure) warning light (!) turns on when I drive. It will flicker, and then stay lit, turning off during the drive and then sometimes turning back on. All four tires are holding pressure correctly. 32 psi when cold rising to about 34 - 35 psi when warm. The problem only occurs after the car has been driven for a period of time. The dealer said that a diagnostic scan indicated that the TPMS module was reading each tire pressure correctly, but the ID codes for each wheel sensor were not registered in the module. The dealer "registered" each wheel sensor and sent me on my way. The same TPMS warning light problem returned later the same day. No change. Do I have a defective wheel sensor or a defective receiver module? The dealer seems to want to use the "keep bringing it back and we'll check it" method. The problem is that most of the time just shutting off the engine for a few minutes resets the warning light only to have it return after the car is driven. Any ideas? Thanks.

[eftca]

I have a 2006 Mazda3 5-door/hatchback. I have had the car in twice in the last week to resolve a TPMS sensor problem. I was also in twice last year (starting to think lemon law time...). I'll mention this potential RFI issue to them, maybe that will solve the problem. They still haven't fixed my suspension problem... Overall I like the car, but taking it in 9 times in two years to get services is atrocious.

[Rivman]

Good info jcsarp !
After reading all these issues, I'm sorta glad the Canadian version doesn't have TPMS, and it would appear that RF interference may be the likely cause of all the problems.
Wunder if all the dealers are aware of the 'fix' ? (dunno)

[allythom]

OK, resurrecting this thread from the dead a bit here...

I just got my new (1 week old) MS3 back from the dealer with the exact same fault and solution. So far, it seems to have worked.

[SCCA_MS3]

I had this issue when i bought my 2009. It was the rain sensor for the wipers causing the issue. Dealer ordered new sensor and problem has not returned in 5 months. Covered under warranty, no cost to me. No big deal. Problem fixed.

[UHATEIT]

my tpms light keeps coming on every now and then when it's cold in the morning and then will sometimes stay on for days on end!

I checked my air and there are no leaks or low pressures. Mine are all at 34psi. But I will probably up them all to 36psi this weekend just to stop the annoyance of this light coming on and that beeping sound

[HatchbackNDN]

Highly unlikely to be a fuse. Most likely a bad sensor or on the very very rare event, a faulty antenna (body side). Lemon Law isn't that easy, not in most states at least. Mostly in the Republican states is the L.Law so straight forward. I'm just saying. Also, if it's still pretty cold in your area you may be experiencing "low temp. induced PSI"
*if you have 34 psi @ 75F and then the temp drops to 65F the next day, your psi will also have lowered 1 psi...33psi. So 10 degrees F +/- will increase or decrease your psi 1 pound.

[PCspeed3]

I was going to make a new thread tonight about this, every so often my car will beep very loud four times and I am thinking its because my winter wheels dont have TPMS sensors. Has anyone else experienced this?

[bacarl]

^no, if there are no sensors at all, the light will flash but there won't be an audible alarm.

If the sensors are installed and reading an out-of-spec value, that's what makes it beep at you.

If you have no sensors and still get a beep, that's another issue... or you do indeed have sensors in the winter wheels without knowing it! What color are the valve stems on those wheels?

[PCspeed3]

If you have no sensors and still get a beep, that's another issue... or you do indeed have sensors in the winter wheels without knowing it! What color are the valve stems on those wheels?

Thats what I thought, I am not sure if they have sensors or not cuz they came off my dads old MS6, my valve stems appear to be black rubber...

not that it matters that much anyways because I will probably be putting my summer shoes back on in the next few weeks (sssh)

[kaseyhugs47]

K so i have a 2007 mazda 3 sedan that i haven't had very long. I had a tire pressure light that stays on but all my tires are fine and at the right psi. I decide to finally take it to the deal to see if i can resolve this problem. I just had an alarm and a remote start just put into it and the mechanics at the dealer said that the alarm and remote start was interfering with the pressure signal and he can't get a reading out of any of the TPMS. Then he tries to scare me with that my computers could be fried from the remote start, so what the heck do i do now and the mechanic doesn't want to go any further with the car until the alarm is removed. So I decide just to go ahead and check the forums. I go with the advice under this thread on fuses, so I check the fuses and notice a sunroof spot but I don't have a sunroof and there wasn't a 7.5A in its place. So I decide what the hell I'll just go get some fuses to see if that would work. What do you know, problem Solved! I couldn't believe it. The dealer couldn't even resolve something as simple as that! wow

[jcsarp]

Your new "add-ons" are using the same communication frequency that you TPMS uses. I had the same TPMS problem. When my 07 Mazda 3 GT was built at the factory, they inadvertently had the TPMS and the rain sensing wipers using the same frequency channel. My dealer changed the circuit board behind the rear view mirror and put the wipers on a different frequency. The problem was corrected instantly. Check to see if your newly installed alarm and remote start are available on a different frequency.

[meicalnissyen]

Wow

Thats alot of lurking time between posts