Oh s;&:t my TPMS is starting to fail! (And how I fixed it)

back in January, every time I would take a trip longer than 30 minutes, my TPMS light would start flashing indicating a serious problem with the system. None of my scan tools I had at the time could read the TPMS system so I ignored it. I then watched a video on YouTube about a guy rebuilding a salvage Corvette Grand Sport (it wouldn’t start because the body shop stole the ECM) and he showed off a little tool that he hooked up to a laptop and to that corvette called a VCX Nano. Turned out they have a version of the VCX Nano that has the Tech2Win software that enabled him to do all of the relearns that his new ECM needed to get the corvette started. One trip to Amazon later and spending $129, and I now had the same diagnostic capability as a GM Dealership! I plugged that tool into Scootaloo, and lo and behold, I had a C0755; which told me that my right front sensor had reached the end of its service life. I did some research, and surprise surprise; GM discontinued the factory sensors. Not wanting to get burned again by my local Stealership (It was going to be over $600 to have them to replace my sensors) it was back to Amazon and I found a full set of the superseded sensors for around the same cost of a single sensor at the dealership. Installation was not too bad, Scootaloo needed new tires anyway; and I got a screaming deal on a set of Hankook Optimos for less than $200 at my workplace! The relearn process for my new sensors was pretty easy too with that VCX Nano (It also helped that I had bought an Autel TS501 TPMS tool for relearning the sensors on our Suzuki SX4 after it had some sensors replaced too) and now my TPMS system is good to go for another 10 years!


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This could not be better timing since my TPMS warning light has started flashing recently on my 09.

I just ordered the scanner you mentioned. Can you post the link to the sensors you used? I expect they are likely the same for our vehicles.

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Originally Posted by EAD15

This could not be better timing since my TPMS warning light has started flashing recently on my 09.

I just ordered the scanner you mentioned. Can you post the link to the sensors you used? I expect they are likely the same for our vehicles.

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Sure; these are the sensors I used: ACDelco 13598771 GM Original Equipment Tire Pressure Sensor TPMS Set of Four (4) ACDelco 13598771 GM Original Equipment Tire Pressure Sensor TPMS Set of Four (4)

I got a whole set because if one was failing now, the other three probably aren’t far behind. See if you can borrow a TPMS exciter tool for the relearn procedure. You will need one.


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Once I confirm the problem, I'll probably buy the sensors and take it to a tire shop for install/activation. I am not properly equipped to do anything with the tires other than checking tire pressures.

Thanks for the link!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EAD15

Once I confirm the problem, I'll probably buy the sensors and take it to a tire shop for install/activation. I am not properly equipped to do anything with the tires other than checking tire pressures.

Thanks for the link!

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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...decc25f24a.jpg

Not a problem, You are likely going to see one of these 4 codes; and if your tires have ever been below the pressure threshold, you will also see the DTCs C0775, C0776, C0777, and C0778 stored in history. with yours being an 09, I’m surprised your sensors lasted this long!



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Supposedly, the average battery life for a TPMS sensor is supposed to be around 10 years based on the little research I did today so I'm just about there. Based on some cutaways I saw online it looks like a standard button cell battery so I'm not sure why they couldn't just make the batteries replaceable, profit margins via planned obsolescence not withstanding (which is the reason, I'm sure).

Thanks for the code list!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EAD15

Supposedly, the average battery life for a TPMS sensor is supposed to be around 10 years based on the little research I did today so I'm just about there. Based on some cutaways I saw online it looks like a standard button cell battery so I'm not sure why they couldn't just make the batteries replaceable, profit margins via planned obsolescence not withstanding (which is the reason, I'm sure).

Thanks for the code list!

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Again, no problem! We gotta keep our Aveos on the road somehow!


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I noticed on the Amazon page that it specifies that you must be running a 32-bit version of windows. There is a comment about getting it to work on 64-bit windows but the instructions are incomplete and this device doesn't come with any help info so, now that I've got it working, I'm going to share what I did.

Also, for anyone that buys this, the software comes on a DVD so you will need to have a dvd reader for your computer (internal or external). I would suggest copying the data from the disc to your computer instead of trying to install everything via the disk.

Installation:
1. Install "VMware-Player".
2. Install "VX Manager". I suggest trying to install all the communication options it offers, most will fail, but it won't hurt anything.
3. Open the "Tech2Win" folder and run the "AutoInstall" file. Let it do it's thing and install whatever it needs (there are several items).
4. A reboot wouldn't be a bad idea at this point.
You will now need to configure the device before plugging it into your car.

Configuring device
1. Plug the adapter into your computer with the supplied USB cord. A couple LEDs should light up and then it will beep.
2. Launch "VX Manager" from your start menu (this can take a minute)
3. Verify the adapter is detected then click "firmware" and upgrade (not sure if necessary, but no harm) then close the firmware window when done.
4. Click "Diagnostic" at the top of the VX Manager window. You should have 2 options in "My Apps", "Passthru" and "GM GDS2/T2W".
5. Open each of the options and click "install". (internet connection required, from what I can tell)
You should be ready to connect to the car now. I suggest closing VX Manager before connecting

Connecting to the car
1. Plug the adapter into your OBD port and the USB cable into your computer. (Make sure key is in "run" position, at minimum)
2. Launch VX Manager and verify it detects the adapter
3. From the previously mentioned "diagnostic" page click "Passthru" then "run". This will launch the J2534Tool interface.
4. On the right, verify "Bosch - MDI" is selected in the "J2534 interface" section then click "LoadDLL". (Again, not sure if this is necessary, but doesn't hurt)
5. Launch the Tech2Win program from your start menu.
6. Select the "North American" configuration option and a new window will open
7. Tech2Win will ask which manufacturer you want to use. Select the top option if not already selected and click OK. A new window will appear
8. Select the interface that has USB after it (should be the only option anyway)
9. The Tech2 software will initialize and run a quick self-test. Hit [enter] when prompted and you will be at the menu interface.
You are now able to interact with the software and car.

A caveat:
Selecting the correct vehicle can be a bit of trial and error. Make sure you know what type of engine you have (2009 US Aveo5 is the 1.6L LXV engine). You'll know when you get to the right screen then.

One final note: You will see a "keypad" to the right of the display screen. While you can interact with the Tech2 software using your keyboard (and mouse in a few places) there are a few things that seem to require actually clicking the buttons on the keypad in order to work.

From my limited testing, it does seem to be able to read any and all systems in the car including the SRS codes.

Do you know if this device and software will read ABS codes ?

Thanks , :-)
Wyr

Solid "maybe" from what I can tell just poking around the software. My car doesn't have ABS so I can't test it though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EAD15

Solid "maybe" from what I can tell just poking around the software. My car doesn't have ABS so I can't test it though.

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Yes, the VCX Nano mimics the Tech2 that a dealerships uses; I connected it to my dad’s Silverado and it read every module the truck had installed (and it DOES have ABS)


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Thanks , :-)
Wyr
God bless

EAD15 , thanks for posting information about the VCX Nano. I was thinking about buying a Tech-2 Chinese clone for $300 to $400 and ran across some information about the VCX Nano on an other GM vehicle. From what I read, actual US produced GM cars, this VCX Nano works very well. Your post is the first report the VCX Nano works on an Aveo.

BTW I bought a new 2008 Aveo-5 in Dec 2007. It had 52K miles on it and I installed a new timing belt kit 2K miles ago and had some sensor correlation errors. I never touched the crankshaft sensor but I did take off the camshaft position sensor when I did the timing belt kit. My cam sprocket's timing marks were perfectly aligned but I much later determined the cam sprocket sensor needed to be mounter just a little closer to the center of the exhaust camshaft (forward) now the engine runs OK.

I have a question, does the VCX Nano do crankshaft sensor re-learn's like the Tech-2 does. I am guessing it does if it mimics the Tech-2. I watched a Youtube Tech-2 video do a crankshaft relearn in 4 minuets.
How To: Crankshaft Position Variation Learn - Chevy/GMC Colorado/Canyon


I still have the original TPMS sensors in my 2008. My Aveo friend still has the original battery (always uses a good battery maintainer) in his 2008 Aveo but his TPMS started going bad a year ago.

Again thanks for posting the VCX Nano information.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OG-Lou

EAD15 , thanks for posting information about the VCX Nano. I was thinking about buying a Tech-2 Chinese clone for $300 to $400 and ran across some information about the VCX Nano on an other GM vehicle. From what I read, actual US produced GM cars, this VCX Nano works very well. Your post is the first report the VCX Nano works on an Aveo.

BTW I bought a new 2008 Aveo-5 in Dec 2007. It had 52K miles on it and I installed a new timing belt kit 2K miles ago and had some sensor correlation errors. I never touched the crankshaft sensor but I did take off the camshaft position sensor when I did the timing belt kit. My cam sprocket's timing marks were perfectly aligned but I much later determined the cam sprocket sensor needed to be mounter just a little closer to the center of the exhaust camshaft (forward) now the engine runs OK.

I have a question, does the VCX Nano do crankshaft sensor re-learn's like the Tech-2 does. I am guessing it does if it mimics the Tech-2. I watched a Youtube Tech-2 video do a crankshaft relearn in 4 minuets.
How To: Crankshaft Position Variation Learn - Chevy/GMC Colorado/Canyon


I still have the original TPMS sensors in my 2008. My Aveo friend still has the original battery (always uses a good battery maintainer) in his 2008 Aveo but his TPMS started going bad a year ago.

Again thanks for posting the VCX Nano information.

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The VCXNano I found out is a generic J2534 pass through interface; the part that actually mimics the Tech2 Software is a genuine piece of GM software called Tech2Win.


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[QUOTE=2010AveoLT;207959]The VCXNano I found out is a generic J2534 pass through interface; the part that actually mimics the Tech2 Software is a genuine piece of GM software called Tech2Win.

Thanks for the information. I am OK buying tools that I use and that are reasonably priced. I will probably buy a CVXNano. I considered the clone Tec2 for just under $300 but the Nano has a lower price. I have laptop computers, so now I have to figure out the cabling and software.

I bought the VCX Nano and I am learning how to use it. I started a new thread just for the VCX Nano. Anyine that is interested in contributing their experiences using the VCX Nano please post on :

• Troubleshooting and Maintenance
• GM Scan Tool, VCX Nano is A Tech 2

Using this tool or a Tech 2 will eliminate guess work, trying to fix things with unnecessary parts and speed up repairs. One obstacle is learning how to use the tool and where things on the menu are located on the menu screens.

I also suspect some things are missing for Aveos.