Does anyone here use cheap ebay TMPS sensors?

[slacktide_bitog]

TPMS light is on, 2008 Civic. NOT just the warning it gives you when the tire pressure is low, but a dash light that actually says the letters TPMS

probably needs new sensors since they are probably the originals. And $40 each is WAY too much! There are some listings on eBay for a set of all 4 for $40-60, which is a better price, so maybe people on here have some experience with them.

Also, does Walmart install new TPMS sensors?

 

[Snagglefoot]

I did the E Bay thing in my 2008 Suburban. One tire went erratic, so I had the tech pull the tire off and install the new TPMS. She, (yes, she) installed it at just the remounting charge and she used their re-programmer to set it up. I waited about a year until I bought snow tires and chucked the worn out summer tires. This time, the guy who did the work complained the units did not have a brand name and he claimed he had trouble reprogramming. After 1/2 hour he got it done correctly. They are functioning fine. I get four individual readings.

 

[NormanBuntz]

I don't think it's worth buying a cheap TPMS sensor, because when it fails you're spending again for a new sensor and installation and mounting and balancing the tire. I prefer to pay up for a name brand, even the OEM supplier. Denso sensors are on my shopping list.

 

[JTK]

I don't recall which a/m sensors my closest tire shop tried on our 2008 Honda Odyssey, but after multiple tries with different hand held programmers, they couldn't get them to work. This was 5yrs ago though. Wound up just running standard valve stems and lived with the warning light.

I've done the used OEM sensor route off eBay with other vehicles with no problem. They were super cheap like $10 ea.

I'd check a Honda specific forum for tmps suggestions.

 

[FordBroncoVWJeta]

Walmart does do TPMS. $30. Its an generic universal shrader sensor. We really never had a problem with them unless it was going in a FCA product.

 

[joekingcorvette]

I bought one for the Jeep one time and the tire guys told me it was the wrong one. Who knows? I would buy a used one from a junkyard or e-bay instead of risking one that might not work.

 

[Audios]

Make sure the freuqncies are the same, theres at least 2 options. And most places wont install or program for free, that tool to program is not cheap. If you buy an OEM or equivalent, it gets installed and is talking to the car immediately. Otherwise programming is needed. And the aftermarkets are hit or miss, I had Elchin from napa not work on a Volvo, but a Mighty sensor did.

 

[CT8]

As a get older I would rather pay top dollar for quality rather than waste my time chasing repairs when trying to save money. I guess I spent too much working for the awesome company I worked for.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted by CT8
As a get older I would rather pay top dollar for quality rather than waste my time chasing repairs when trying to save money. I guess I spent too much working for the awesome company I worked for.

There is something to say for this approach--less time shopping, less time guessing, less time chasing problems.

Me, I just toss the sensors and ignore the light.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Has anyone used the ITM Uni-Sensor? About $100 for a set of 4, the Uni-Sensor is a generic 315 MHz TPMS that needs to be programmed with a special scan tool that ITM sells, but some sellers on Ebay actually program then for you, so that will not be an issue

It is most likely better than the cheap $10 sensors, yet still much less than the dealer or name-brand aftermarket (at $40+ each).

Is the ITM Uni-Sensor worth it? Or will the cheaper ones be good enough?

I also found out that Walmart will install the TPMS at no extra charge when installing tires.

 

[UG_Passat]

Nope. When It came time to replace the TPMS sensors on my old Passat, $110 for a set of 4 of VW TPMS sensors, instead of paying $132 each.

 

[dblshock]

with seasonal wheels I disabled the system .12 cents

 

[Gasbuggy]

My mother just went through some headache with aftermarket sensors in her 07 CRV. 4 trips back and 2 full sets of non-OEM sensors.

If it were my car and I didn't feel like replacing them, I would pull the cluster and pop the bulbs. Wouldn't be the first time I did this on a car over something not worth fixing to me. (Like 90's GM ABS nonsense, Honda's 15 year SRS light. etc)

Can you reprogram new sensors on a 08 honda without a tool? I don't believe so. Even if you cheap out you'll be paying for installation and reprogramming. Probably cost you double the price of the sensors. Not impressed with Honda's system. Atleast GM tells you each wheels pressure in the display.

 

[Rand]

I had a problem with DT's tpms sensors.. they didnt work for 2 days.. until I realized.... they never installed them (doh)

They made it right.

 

[khittner]

I get my TPMS sensors from RockAuto---Dormans with a lifetime warranty are about $30-ish each. I just had a set of Dormans from a set of snow tires/wheels replaced after 6 years in service, and the RA warranty worked. I had to buy the replacement set up front, but they credited back the price and shipping once they received the old ones back.