Hi

Apologies in advance if there is already a topic on this.

I've had my Ford Focus (14 plate) for about 2.5 years now and the TMPS valve have been replaced at least 3 times (maybe 4, but I'm losing count now). I believe the alloys are standard ford alloys - nothing special.

The last time, Evans Halshaw replaced all 4 for me and, being aware that this is a reoccurring issue, said that if they go again then the alloys will probably need refurbing - which they have now gone again (they were only replaced in August!). Now, I'm going to be honest, I've been driving for 10 years and this is my 4th car - I have NEVER had to refurb alloys on my old cars or even had problems with the valves. Are they just trying to get more money out of me?

Bare in mind, the valves seem to go within 3-6 months.

2 other garages (Kwik Fit and Dexel) have claimed this is a common fault, but Evans Halshaw claim it isn't...

I have read a comment on an HonestJohn.co.uk post that someone else has had this issue with the valves corroding between the rim and stem, and the response was that it is a common problem. Unfortunately, I don't know how old the post is or what reg Focus it related to.

Quite frankly, I have had it up to "here" with the TMPS! Also, please note that money is an issue for me so I will have to go back to Evans Halshaw for the replacements because of them being under warranty.

Does anyone have any input/advice?

 

Many thanks,

Kerrie

Not sure about the TPMS being a common fault, but it sounds like you've done your research. Depending on what year of car it is, you might be able to disable TPMS and enable DDS instead then revert to standard valves.

It's a similar system, but instead of monitoring actual tyre pressure like TPMS does, DDS uses the ABS sensors to sense if one wheel is spinning faster than others (ie, a smaller circumference) and flag a warning. 

I believe this can be done on some cars with Forscan and an ELM cable. 

do the tyre pressures really drop ?

I have got these on a 13 year old car and still on the same batteries and the quality of these wheels in nothing like ford ones (Ford alloys in general are fanatic re corrosion compared to German trash on the big three there).  Also got them on a 12 year old motor bike, the only maintenance its ever needed was a battery change in the sensors.

never had a single one play up due to air loss, it is very common for nasty tyre shops to smash the sensors to bits doing a tyre replacement or a puncture repair !!!

ford don't help themselves with the special ones that look just like a normal valve stems... so the tyre shops first find out it had real TPMS sensors after they have broken them... then they keep quiet and don't own up to it....

 

i am not clear on what the problem is that you are experiencing.  are you saying the tyres are losing air,  or are you saying the car's computer is losing electronic communication with the electronics in the valve stems

I had the exact same issue with my 14 plate focus, every six or so months the valves would need replacing, even if I hadnt even touched then to put air in.  I even had one replaced by the Ford dealer and a week later it had failed.   (Im not entirely sure what the problem was, but it is something to do with the alloys and the valve)

The people on the service desk even pre-empted what my problem was when I turned up.  I did have to pay to get them replaced, but luckily I complained to Ford and managed to get a voucher for money off my next service.

Fortunately I replaced the car after reaching three years old, and 'touch-wood', my newer Focus is running ok.

 

the last post suggests the sensors or the receiver are not working correctly

the sensors are supposed to fall asleep after 15 min of no movement to stop the battery wearing out and or the system / software was so nasty that it gets interference and fails in its comms to the car