I was driving oour 2005 Pontiac Vibe AWD yesterday when I noticed the low tire pressure warning light was on. I stopped at a gas station and checked and evened up the pressures (none were low) and tried to turn off the light following the owners manual, I have done this before and it has worked. The light will not go off. Being that mine is is a direct system and works through the ABS system I removed and cleaned all of the ABS sensors thinking dirt or something might have gotten on them. I also unhooked the battery for an hour trying to force a reset. Nothing worked and the light is still on.

This is a useless system really since I keep pressures checked. Does anyone know anything else I can check to see why it won't go off? I don't want to take it to a dealer because it is not worth it to me to fix, I may just remove the bulb if all else fails. Any help is appreciated.

Same problem with wife's 2008 Kia. Turned out to be a small piece of metal in tire. Plugged tire. Problem fixed.

GM Jim

Check the spare...it too has a sensor.
My wife's Edge "drove" me crazy for a week with the light on until I thought to check the pressure in the spare. It was low...

It doesn't take a huge drop in pressure to set the light on.

These systems are crazy, there are 2 types, an indirect and direct. The direct system uses the ABS and wheel circumfrence to calculate low pressure. The Indirect uses wireless transmitters in the tire below the valve stem to report to the computer if low pressure exists. Bill I believe your Edge is an indirect system, the indirect in the Vibes started in the 2008 models, 2005 AWD Vibes were the only one with the warning system and they were ABS related.

Keep the suggestions coming.

"The more plumbing they put in the easier it is to stop up the drain." -- Lt. Commander Montgomery Scott

on my 1999 buick that system will get set off if the rear tire hydroplane in water, it's a PITA. Also when on a trip i felt something in the car while driving on tire had developed a bubble wth system never alarmed hummmmmm seens it should have caoght that.

as stated above check the spare tire
also a buddy of mine had a low spare tire. He was pissed when the dealer told him about the problem

I will definitely check the spare, anything to turn the light off, it is the wife's car and you know how that goes.

They're right up there with check engine lights in my book.

Don't know too much about the system. On my 2004 Yukon had the same issue as you're describing. Finally said to hell with it and changed the wheels and never put the sensors back in and the light is constantly on. Last time I looked to purchase one of those sensors was over $100,
Now on the other side of the coin, last week I was driving my 2008 Mercury Milan doing 70 on the freeway and the light came on. First response WTF? Then, I guess I should move from the fast lane over to the slow lane and check....wah.wah.wahWAWAH. Crap! I got a tire down. I was slowed down about 40 before it really started going down. Because of the warning system I was able to catch it early, and who knows, it could have saved my life?

And all of this is thanks to the Ford and Firestone corporations. Why either is allowed to be in business is beyond me. The Ford Pinto and the Firestone 500 should have been the end of both those companies.


This crap is about as nuts as forcing us to have automatic shut-off valves in consumer propane tanks, because the folks re-filling propane tanks can't manage to read a scale.

My '08 TB SS's light comes on every time I go out to start it up in the morning. The light goes off once I've driven it 5-10 miles. The instrumentation claims the air pressure in all 4 tires has gone up 2-3 PSI by then. My buddy's '08 Dodge Ram does the same thing. It is annoying as Hell, but oh well.....

theres no sensor in the spare if it works off of the abs.

if it flashes it has a dtc set in the computer.need to scan the system for the tire/wheel thats the cause of the problem.

And to think all this crap just jacked up the cost of the vehicles by anywhere from $700 to $1200!!

pdq67

And all of this is thanks to the Ford and Firestone corporations. Why either is allowed to be in business is beyond me. The Ford Pinto and the Firestone 500 should have been the end of both those companies.


Do not forget-----the Firestone '721' radial.

I was about 13 when all 4 brand new 721s came apart on our way from the Colorado River to Los Angeles.
The only miles on them were from Playa Del Rey, to Cottonwood Cove.

Oooh ooh, "Seven, around 2, wrapped by ONE"

Mine goes off when the weather turns cold and the air shrinks. I don't only get a light but a 20 second long beeeeeep that makes you think that it is a pretty serious warning like oil pressure or something.

Takes a few miles once I air up to convince the system that the pressure is where it should be. It's the indirect kind that has the sensor in the valve stem.

K

Have you rotated your tires,this will throw the sensor off and needs to be reset according to the manual.Had it happen to my Trailblazer

Oooh ooh, "Seven, around 2, wrapped by ONE"

Mine goes off when the weather turns cold and the air shrinks. I don't only get a light but a 20 second long beeeeeep that makes you think that it is a pretty serious warning like oil pressure or something.

Takes a few miles once I air up to convince the system that the pressure is where it should be. It's the indirect kind that has the sensor in the valve stem.

K

My 04 Murano does the same thing when the weather gets cold. Problem is with mine is that it doesn't tell you what tire is low. Its just shows them as XX XX XX XX...which is which?

My spare was low on air but the light is still on. Since it ia an ABS system the spare wont affect it. How do you test these things, are they dealer items only?

Do not forget-----the Firestone '721' radial.

I was about 13 when all 4 brand new 721s came apart on our way from the Colorado River to Los Angeles.
The only miles on them were from Playa Del Rey, to Cottonwood Cove.
Yeah, the 721 was just a "500" with two hundred twenty one more mistakes built in.

I bought a used '75 Nova with 721s on it; had one go oval about a month later.

But that's exactly my point: We've gotten stuck with complex and expensive in-car tire pressure sensors because of a pair of corporations that acted with criminal neglegence--and then lied and blamed the consumer for not keeping enough pressure in the tires. The consumer never had a chance; the Exploder was a piss-poor design to begin with--and adding low-cost substandard tires was just icing on the proverbial cake.

The secondary issue is having a government so owned by Corporate America that the government inflicted the penalty for substandard engineering on the consumer instead of the two at-fault companies.

My 04 Murano does the same thing when the weather gets cold. Problem is with mine is that it doesn't tell you what tire is low. Its just shows them as XX XX XX XX...which is which?

I believe they are listed clockwise starting with the left front.

Schurkey,

You got that right!!

The CG of Ford's SUV's still is a schosh too high for the track width, but I figure if they did anything about it, they would be considered GUILTY to this day AND THEY ARE!!

Look at Toy and their hidden safety statistics!! Drive behind an Echo and tell me how safe in roll-over it would be?? Sucker appears to be way taller than it is wide!

It's as tho the idea here is that if SOME people want cheap cars, that they will make darn sure they get killed off so the other people will stand in line a buy more expensive, SAFER, vehicles!!!

And I do figure "weight/crash worthiness", a SMARTCAR is probably better than them all except the M/B's....

I figure two SMARTCARS will bounce off each other fine!!!

pdq67

I believe they are listed clockwise starting with the left front.

I don't get any numbers, just a light and a beep.

I got the cheapy model. :)

Well it looks like I need to take it to the Stealership. The ABS motor is pumping now on normal stops. Being the Vibe is a Toyota I have to really take it to a Pontiac dealer 20 miles away instead of the Chevy dealer next to my work, the Pontiac dealer where we bought it is out of business. I can find no way to test it on my own so I guess I am at their mercy. If we weren't in Bench Racing I would be more descriptive.

Oh what a feeling.... Toyota!

My '08 TB SS's light comes on every time I go out to start it up in the morning. The light goes off once I've driven it 5-10 miles. The instrumentation claims the air pressure in all 4 tires has gone up 2-3 PSI by then. My buddy's '08 Dodge Ram does the same thing. It is annoying as Hell, but oh well.....

I have this on my 2008 300c, what I have found is the sensors were set around 32psi, but my tires max pressure is 50, as soon as I put and kept 40+psi it stopped. You might just be right at the threshold, just add few a pounds and I think it will go off and stay off.

I did get a nail in the tire this weekend and I was glad it told me, showed me I only had 15psi.

Just wait. This system is already in place and planned to be a mandatory safety item in just a few years.

If the abs is kicking in on stops,I would lean to a speed sensor fault.Heres the trouble shooting guide for the monitor system that the dealership will use.
xTooltipElement

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2005 Pontiac Vibe - AWD (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/publications.do) | Vibe (VIN S) Service Manual (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showPubSection.do) | Suspension (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showPubSubsection.do) | Tire Pressure Monitoring (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showPubServiceInfoTypes.do) | Diagnostic Information and Procedures (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDocumentList.do) | Document ID: 1480942
Low Tire Pressure Indicator Always On
<A href="http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=1480942&pubCellSyskey=59446&pubObjSyskey=1480942&from=sm&laborOpCode=&cellId=59446#ss1-1480942">Circuit Description

The electronic brake control module (EBCM) turns ON the tire pressure warning indicator by opening the tire pressure warning indicator control circuit. The tire pressure warning indicator is connected to the GAUGE fuse. This circuit has power when the ignition switch is in the ON or START positions. When the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, the EBCM turns ON the tire pressure warning indicator for 3-4 seconds for a bulb check. If the EBCM detects a malfunction, the tire pressure warning indicator will stay ON to warn the driver that the tire pressure warning system is disabled and needs service.
<A href="http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=1480942&pubCellSyskey=59446&pubObjSyskey=1480942&from=sm&laborOpCode=&cellId=59446#ss2-1480942">Diagnostic Aids

Thoroughly inspect the wiring and the connectors. An incomplete inspection of the wiring and the connectors may result in a misdiagnosis, causing a part replacement with the reappearance of the malfunction.
The following are possible causes of the malfunction:
• An open or high resistance in the tire pressure warning indicator control circuit
• An open or short to ground in the ambient temperature circuit
• Incorrect tire size
• An internal EBCM malfunction
• A malfunctioning instrument cluster panel assembly
If an intermittent malfunction exists, refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/cellHandler.do?cellId=62112&refDoc=1480942&from=sm) .
<A href="http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=1480942&pubCellSyskey=59446&pubObjSyskey=1480942&from=sm&laborOpCode=&cellId=59446#ss3-1480942">Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.
<LI value=5>This step tests the ambient temperature sensor circuit for an open or short to ground.
<A name=TD06><LI value=6>This step tests the tire pressure warning indicator control circuit for a open or high resistance.
<A name=TD07>
This step determines if the malfunction is caused by an internal EBCM malfunction.
Step
Action
Yes
No
Schematic Reference: Tire Pressure Monitoring System Schematics
Connector End View Reference: Tire Pressure Monitoring System Connector End Views (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/cellHandler.do?cellId=59433&refDoc=1480942&from=sm)
1
Did you perform a Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?
Go to Step 2 (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=1480942&pubCellSyskey=59446&pubObjSyskey=1480942&from=sm&laborOpCode=&cellId=59446#S02)
Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/cellHandler.do?cellId=72794&refDoc=1480942&from=sm)
2
Check the tires for incorrect pressure.
Did you find and correct the condition?
Go to Step 10 (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=1480942&pubCellSyskey=59446&pubObjSyskey=1480942&from=sm&laborOpCode=&cellId=59446#S10)
Go to Step 3 (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=1480942&pubCellSyskey=59446&pubObjSyskey=1480942&from=sm&laborOpCode=&cellId=59446#S03)
3
Check if the vehicle has the appropriate size tires?
Did you find and correct the condition?
Go to Step 10 (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=1480942&pubCellSyskey=59446&pubObjSyskey=1480942&from=sm&laborOpCode=&cellId=59446#S10)
Go to Step 4 (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=1480942&pubCellSyskey=59446&pubObjSyskey=1480942&from=sm&laborOpCode=&cellId=59446#S04)
4
Is the instrument panel cluster outside temperature reading equal to the actual outside temperature?
Go to Step 5 (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=1480942&pubCellSyskey=59446&pubObjSyskey=1480942&from=sm&laborOpCode=&cellId=59446#S05)
Go to Outside Air Temperature Display Inaccurate or Inoperative (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/cellHandler.do?cellId=70011&refDoc=1480942&from=sm)
5
(http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=1480942&pubCellSyskey=59446&pubObjSyskey=1480942&from=sm&laborOpCode=&cellId=59446#TD05)Test the ambient temperature sensor circuit for an open or short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/cellHandler.do?cellId=62194&refDoc=1480942&from=sm) and Wiring Repairs (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/cellHandler.do?cellId=61965&refDoc=1480942&from=sm) .
Did you find and correct the condition?
Go to Step 10 (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=1480942&pubCellSyskey=59446&pubObjSyskey=1480942&from=sm&laborOpCode=&cellId=59446#S10)
Go to Step 6 (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=1480942&pubCellSyskey=59446&pubObjSyskey=1480942&from=sm&laborOpCode=&cellId=59446#S06)
6
(http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=1480942&pubCellSyskey=59446&pubObjSyskey=1480942&from=sm&laborOpCode=&cellId=59446#TD06)Test the tire pressure warning indicator control circuit for a open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/cellHandler.do?cellId=62194&refDoc=1480942&from=sm) and Wiring Repairs (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/cellHandler.do?cellId=61965&refDoc=1480942&from=sm) .
Did you find and correct the condition?
Go to Step 10 (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=1480942&pubCellSyskey=59446&pubObjSyskey=1480942&from=sm&laborOpCode=&cellId=59446#S10)
Go to Step 7 (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=1480942&pubCellSyskey=59446&pubObjSyskey=1480942&from=sm&laborOpCode=&cellId=59446#S07)
7
(http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=1480942&pubCellSyskey=59446&pubObjSyskey=1480942&from=sm&laborOpCode=&cellId=59446#TD07)Apply a ground to the tire pressure warning indicator control circuit.
Is the tire pressure warning indicator ON?
Go to Step 8 (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=1480942&pubCellSyskey=59446&pubObjSyskey=1480942&from=sm&laborOpCode=&cellId=59446#S08)
Go to Step 9 (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=1480942&pubCellSyskey=59446&pubObjSyskey=1480942&from=sm&laborOpCode=&cellId=59446#S09)
8
Replace the instrument panel cluster assembly. Refer to Instrument Cluster Replacement (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/cellHandler.do?cellId=50650&refDoc=1480942&from=sm) .
Is the repair complete?
Go to Step 10 (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=1480942&pubCellSyskey=59446&pubObjSyskey=1480942&from=sm&laborOpCode=&cellId=59446#S10)
--
9
Replace the brake pressure modulator valve (BPMV). Refer to Brake Pressure Modulator Valve Assembly Replacement (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/cellHandler.do?cellId=1199&refDoc=1480942&from=sm) .
Is the repair complete?
Go to Step 10 (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=1480942&pubCellSyskey=59446&pubObjSyskey=1480942&from=sm&laborOpCode=&cellId=59446#S10)
--
10
Operate the system in order to verify the repair.
Did you correct the condition?
System OK
Go to Step 2 (http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=1480942&pubCellSyskey=59446&pubObjSyskey=1480942&from=sm&laborOpCode=&cellId=59446#S02)

© 2009 General Motors Corporation. All rights reserved.

Great! Thanks Scott!

I didn't drive it today because the brakes are aggravating so I need to check the outside temp to see if it is reading correctly. Do you think the speed sensor fault for the ABS and the TPMS could be related? It would make sense, also doesn't the speed sensor help control the AWD system?

Too much plumbing in new cars.:confused:

Iam a Cadillac tech so Iam not too familiar with the system in your vibe.Reading how the system works it could be possible that a speed sensor fault would cause a different reading then the rest of the sensors.The computor could think its a low pressure problem and not a speed sensor.If the abs light has come on it would set a code and you could isolate the sensor.Data on a road test would let you see if one sensor reads different.I think autozone,possibly other autoparts stores as well,will check diagnostic codes for free.This would save you a lot of time.If a sensor reads slower then the rest of the wheels at low speed stopping the abs will read this as wheel lockup causing activation af the abs system.Its alot easier to diagnose with a tech2.I hope that this helps and Ill try to check back in.

The dealer tested the system and they say the module/pump assembly is faulty causing both problems. I have contacted Pontiac to see if they will offer some out of warranty assistance, they have turned it over to the district office to work with the dealer. P&L is $1500+ to fix it. Not a good way to start the day although they rep at Pontiac did not flat deny it, he called the dealer for info, I explained that my selling dealer is out of business. They asked if I owned any more GM cars I told them 2 Pontiacs and 2 Chevrolets. I guess we will see if GM is really interested in keeping me as a customer.

Well that was a WORST case senerio.I hope they help you out on that one.

Well the saga continues. GM and their dedication to customer loyalty decided not to assist me with the repair but to instead offer me a $1500 owner loyalty certificate for a new car.

The car was "repaired" yesterday and we brought it home last night. This morning we carpooled into work together and when I came to a stop in the city the ABS activated..again! I just spent $1465. and the thing is no better than it was before except for the stupid TPMS light is off. It acted up 3 more times while I was driving it to lunch today.

I called the dealer and they said "Oh no.". I am taking it back to them on Monday. I called the GM rep that declined me since my case is still open and told her that the car was not fixed and that I do not want their certificate. She tried to BS me and say that you have to fix one thing to find out another. I told her you don't guess at repairs and replace the most expensive part first, you need to diagnose. (She does not know that I was a Service Manager so I know the game.) Well she copped an attitude with me and I back at her.

As far as I am concerned GM can go out of business because with attitudes like hers.