Here’s an easy tutorial on how to reset or relearn your Nissan TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) sensors without any expensive tools. Why take it to the dealership when you can do it for cheap or free?
You first need to find these tools:
I used this tire pressure gauge to help me set the tire pressure. It’s pretty accurate and handy! I’ve used it relearn my TPMS several times and it worked each time.
1. First set the tire pressure to the following in the diagram:
2. Locate the TPMS plug. It’s usually under the steering wheel and wrapped in black electrical tape.
3. Get a skinny paper clip and put it through the back of the plug with the white wire. I put it through the back because it has better contact with the wire.
4. Put your key in the ignition and turn it to the last click before the engine starts.Or push the push start button twice. This is the KOEO position (Key On, Engine Off).
5. Tap the end of the paper clip on any exposed ground (metal) 6 times within 10 seconds of turning ignition on. I just tapped it to the metal that’s holding the OBDII port. Even though it’s not grounded as mentioned in the instruction it worked for me. So it should work for you too!
6. If you completed step 5 then the TPMS warning light will start to slowly flash and you have activated the TPMS relearn process. If it flashes and then stays solid after a minute then check your connections, turn the ignition off and start over at step 4.
7. Once you confirm the lights do not stop flashing, step on the brake and start the car. Do not turn the car to OFF position. Start driving >25mph until the light goes out. It could take as long as ten minutes but for me I drove for 1 to 2 miles and it turned off.
8. The light will quickly come back on due to the low tire pressures. Refill your tires to the correct pressure.
If your TPMS lights keeps coming back on even after the relearn then you might need to replace your TPMS. You can read about my replacement experience here.
VDO SE10001HP TPMS
I found that I couldn’t get a paper clip to work. Perhaps there is clear lacquer on my paper clips.
I followed the same procedure to turn off my blinking TPMS light, but instead of using a paper clip, I used a wire that I made up with an alligator clip on one end and a small gold pin on the other end. I clipped the wire to the steel flange at the base of the brake pedal mechanism and poked the gold tip into the TPMS plug six times, and this put the TPMS into learning mode. Worked like a charm!
I try on my 2008.. it blinks ( lurning ) drive it for 30 minutes.light still on solid..any advice.
ehecatli1964@gmail.com
Thank you
Moises
Did you adjust the air tire pressure according to the diagram?
Today’s Saturday 13 ..it was my 4 th time..to trying to resent that sensor light. The first time it work as PLANNED…..I was GREAT .!!!.light when OFF. But I drove from home to Dr appointment. 15 miles away..it was fine until I turn on the engine on after my appointment..light where BACK..That happens on Wednesday..so I’m still working on…VERY stressful….situation..IM not giving up…..still working on.
The light is suppose to turn off and then back on as what you experienced. You need to refill your air tire pressure back to its normal PSI (usually 35 to 40 psi) after the procedure. Did you do that?
Yes…I did that..inflated to 35…but may be has to be to 40..?maximum psi..?
35 psi is fine. You might need new TPMS sensors. I had to replace my TPMS after 6 years. They are suppose to last up to 10 years. How old is your Xterra? Feel free to read this blog I wrote: https://midnightme.com/2014/12/09/2005-nissan-xterra-tpms/
When I buy the new 4 set of tires.6 months ago .they inspect and check sensors…they said they where fine…that provably the problem will be with the computer..????
I had an issue with my TPMS going on and off. Each time I reset it, it will stay off for a couple of weeks but then will start blinking. I got frustrated so I took it to Costco because they had a TPMS computer, had them check up on them and reprogram them. They told me all four TPMS sensors were functioning fine too. But the TPMS sensors went off again a few days later. So I made the final decision to replace all 4 at Costco. I bought all 4 sensors on Amazon and had them replace it and program it. The replacement fixed the issue. I will admit, sometimes it’ll go off once or twice a year. Not sure why, but it’s better than it going off every other week.
Worked for my 2008 Xterra… so far. Thanks!
I say, “so far”, as I understand these things have batteries in them that go after awhile. It’s been 10 years, so we’ll see.
This reset technique does work, though. If people are having problems it may be due to what they are tapping the wire on. I tried the metal on brake pedal, but flashing light stopped flashing and turned solid before even driving. Next tapped 6 times on some other metal thing under the dash. That worked.
I tried 2 times . Tire Flash and after somes kilometers , goes off and turn on( due to difference between wheels ) . I tries 2 methods after relearn , to put the right psi to tires : engine off and let the engine running to crank equals pressure . The light still “on”.
Also, after all theses 2 relearn tests , the light didn’t flash and stay always solid “on”
2014 xterra
You did refill the tires to the correct pressure afterwards, right?
Yes , i did . I think relearn discovered sensors, but there’s a bug that i don’t understand ! Any other idea ?
I have 2 questions to ask you:
1. When you start the car does the tire pressure light turn on and stays on OR does it flash for a few minutes and stays on?
2. What do you mean engine running to crank equal pressures? The engine does not refill a tire with pressure. Did you use an air compressor to refill the tires with pressure?
Tonight i took the xterra and i saw the light off while running ! ( cause it’s my wife’s car ) she can’t comfirm if it was off today or yesterday! How expect mecanical thinking from her !!
For your questions :
1. Sunday when i did the relearns , i saw the light turn on and stay on.
2: i wanna mean ( with my poor english ! ) that i let the engine running while i refill with air compressor for the first relearn and for the secon times i stop the engine then refill with air .
I’ll tell you after a week if it fixed the problem .
Thank you for sharing !
I’m glad it worked out. It does take some time for the computer to adjust to the new pressure. I’m surprised it took longer than 10 minutes.
Light always off after 1 week !
That’s good news!
Thanks for this, worked on my 2006 xterra, hopefully it will last! Maybe this is one of the smart tech we do not need. If it happens again, I think i will just ignore the light, I have always kept track of my tire pressure without TPMS.
When you refill the pressure in tires..does engine have to be off or on?
Did you follow the entire procedure? If you did, it shouldn’t matter if the engine is on or off.
Wife’s 2008 xterra tpms light flashes then stays solid..took to Discount Tire.they did a reset.didnt fix the problem..I figured they damaged a sensor after putting on new tires?
I remember I took it to Costco for them to install the sensors for me. They were able to register 2/4 of the sensors, but couldn’t get the other two to register. I did the relearn method and it worked. Its possible that their device is having issues registering the sensors.
Thought I would try the relearn process before replacing the sensors. Just wondering about the tire refill..engine off or on?
I left it on, but it doesn’t really matter because once you refill it the whole process should be completed.
1. A friend told me his TPMS was being triggered by his spare tire. Topped up the pressure and presto. Warning light went out.
2, Is it safe to say the individual transmitters in the wheels/tires send their warning signals, (and therefore use battery power), only when the pressure drops below the prescribed amount?
3. Anyone have any idea how to identify a single sensor that may be faulty? I was told that removing one tire at a time and rolling it 20 feet or so away should make the warning light go out when you get to the right tire. (?)
My problem is different. the Xterra starts off with the light off, after about 20 minutes of highway driving it will blink for about 5 minutes, then turn solid for about 5-10 minutes then go off. I can drive for about an hour and it will start all over again. It did this 4 times in a 275 mile trip this week. It only does it at speeds over 65mph with all tires at 35lbs.