SUBJECT VEHICLE: 2007-13 Nissan Altima.
RELEARN PROCEDURE? Yes, see reset procedures.
SPECIAL TOOLS NEEDED? Yes. To register a new tire pressure sensor, a Nissan Signal Tech II scan tool or Consult scan tool can be used. A Transmitter Activation Tool (J-45295) is used in the wake-up procedure and can aid in the registration procedure.
During driving at speeds above 25 mph on 2007-13 Nissan Altimas, the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) receives the signal transmitted from the transmitter installed in each wheel, and gives alarms when the tire pressure becomes low. NOTE: When a spare tire is mounted, or a wheel, tire pressure sensor or BCM is replaced, the tire pressure sensor must be registered. See reset procedures.
A sensor-transmitter integrated with a valve (installed on each wheel) transmits a detected air pressure signal in the form of a radio wave. An antenna located in the passenger-side front pillar receives the air pressure signal transmitted by the transmitter in each wheel. The low tire pressure warning control unit reads the air pressure signal received by the antenna, and controls the warning light. It also has a judgment function to detect a system malfunction.
Tire pressure monitor warning light
When the low tire pressure warning system detects low inflation pressure or another unusual symptom, the warning light in the instrument cluster comes on. If the system detects that air pressure is less than 27 psi (190 kPa), it will also sound a buzzer for 10 seconds and a “flat tire” or “check tire pressure” warning message will appear in the instrument cluster display (if equipped).
The instrument cluster display unit displays the air pressure of each tire (except the spare tire). After the ignition switch is turned on, the pressure values will not be displayed until the data of each wheel is received. NOTE: Pressure indication in “** psi” on the screen indicates that the pressure is being measured. After a few driving trips, the pressure for all four tires will be displayed. Order of tire pressure figures displayed does not correspond with actual order of tire position.
When the tire pressure warning light comes on, immediately check the air pressure of all tires and adjust to the specified pressure. Make sure the warning light goes off. The warning light does not automatically turn off when the tire pressure is adjusted. After the tire is inflated to the recommended pressure, the vehicle must be driven at speeds above 25 mph to activate the TPMS and turn off the low tire pressure warning light. If the warning light stays on or flashes, there is a malfunction in the TPMS. See appropriate manufacturer service information.
Reset procedures
When performing tire pressure sensor registration, note that if the tire pressure sensor was replaced, the new sensor will be in a sleep mode. To wake up the sensor, see transmitter wake-up operation.
To register a new tire pressure sensor, a Nissan Signal Tech II scan tool or Consult scan tool can be used. A Transmitter Activation Tool (J-45295) is used in wake-up procedure and can aid in registration procedure if using the Consult tool system. Sensor registration and wake-up methods in this article reference Consult type scan tool procedures.
If a Consult-II is used without also using the Consult-II Converter, a malfunction might be detected during self-diagnosis, depending on which control unit carries out CAN communication. The Signal Tech II Tool (J-50190) can be used to perform the following functions:
• activate TPMS transmitters;
• display TPMS transmitter IDs;
• display tire pressure reported by the TPMS transmitter;
• read TPMS DTCs; and
• register TPMS transmitter IDs
ID registration with activation tool
1. With the ignition switch in the OFF position, connect Consult scan tool to the Data Link Connector (DLC). Turn ignition switch to the ON position.
2. Select “START (NISSAN BASED VHCL).”
3. Touch “BCM” on the “SELECT SYSTEM” screen.
4. Select “AIR PRESSURE MONITOR” on the “SELECT WORK ITEM” screen.
5. Select “WORK SUPPORT” on the “SELECT DIAG MODE” screen, and select “ID REGIST.”
6. With the Transmitter Activation Tool (J-45295) pushed against the front-left transmitter tire air valve; press the button for five seconds (see Figure 1).
NOTE: Be sure to register the IDs in the specified order, or the self-diagnostic results display will not function properly.
7. Register the IDs in the following order: left-front; right-front; right-rear; left-rear. When ID registration of each wheel has been completed, a buzzer sounds (or a chime, in 2004 models) as indicated in the table, the hazard warning lights or turn signal indicators flash twice, and the indicator light on the activation tool goes from red to green.
8. After completing all ID registrations, press “END” to complete the procedure.
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ID registration without transmitter activation tool
1. With the ignition switch in the OFF position, connect the Consult scan tool to the DLC. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
2. Select “START (NISSAN BASED VHCL).”
3. Touch “BCM” on the “SELECT SYSTEM” screen.
4. Select “AIR PRESSURE MONITOR” on the “SELECT WORK ITEM” screen.
5. Select “WORK SUPPORT” on the “SELECT DIAG MODE” screen, and select “ID REGIST.”
6. Adjust the tire pressure to the values specified in the appropriate sensor ID registration tire pressure specifications table, and drive the vehicle at 25 mph (40 km/h) or more for a few minutes.
7. After completing all ID registrations, press “END” to complete the procedure.
8. Inflate all tires to specification.
Transmitter wake-up operation
NOTE: New replacement transmitters are provided asleep and must first be woken up using transmitter activation tool J-45295 or Signal Tech II Tool J-50190 before ID registration can be performed. Use the following procedure when using the transmitter activation tool J-45295.
1. With the ignition switch in the OFF position, connect scan tool to the DLC. Turn ignition switch to the ON position.
2. Display “WORK SUPPORT” screen, and select “ID REGIST.”
3. With the Transmitter Activation Tool (J-45295) pushed against the left-front tire air-valve, press the button for five seconds (see Figure 1). Sensor activation must be performed in the following order: left-front; right-front; right-rear; left-rear. As each sensor ID is activated, the hazard warning lights and the TPMS warning light flash four times, and the scan tool indicator light changes from red to green.
5. Check that the transmitter wake-up procedure for all wheels is completed using the scan tool.
6. After completing wake-up of all transmitters, make sure the TPMS warning light goes out.
Demounting/mounting procedures
The tire should be demounted from the wheel using the tire changer manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure there is no metallized film or any metal parts (antenna, etc.) on the windows, as this may cause poor reception of the signals from sensors, and the TPMS will not function properly.
Removal
1. Deflate tire. Unscrew transmitter retaining nut, and allow transmitter to fall into tire.
2. Gently bounce tire so that transmitter falls to the bottom of the tire. Place wheel and tire assembly on tire changing machine and break both tire beads. Ensure that the transmitter remains at bottom of the tire while breaking the bead.
3. Turn tire so that the valve hole is at bottom, and gently bounce tire to ensure transmitter is near valve hole. Carefully lift tire onto turntable, and position valve hole (and transmitter) 270 degrees from mounting/demounting head (see Figure 2).
4. Lubricate the tire well, and remove the top side of the tire. Reach inside the tire and remove the transmitter.
5. Remove the second side of the tire as normal.
Installation
1. Place the first side of the tire onto the rim. NOTE: After every disassembly, use a new seal.
2. Apply suitable silicone lubricant to new seal, and then install seal on sensor. Ensure no burrs exist in the valve stem hole of the wheel.
3. Mount transmitter on rim and tighten nut to 71 in.-lbs. (8.0 N.m). NOTE: Do not touch the transmitter with the mounting head.
4. Place the wheel on the turntable of the tire machine. Ensure that the transmitter is 270 degrees from the mounting/demounting head (see Figure 2).
5. Lubricate the tire well and install the second side of the tire as normal. Ensure that the tire does not rotate relative to the rim.
6. Inflate the tire. Balance the wheel and tire assembly.
7. Install the wheel and tire assembly in the appropriate wheel position on the vehicle.
8. Register tire pressure sensor. See reset procedures. ■
Information for this column comes from Mitchell 1’s “Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems Guide” for domestic and import vehicles through 2013. For more information, visit www.mitchell1.com.
For more TPMS articles, see:
TPMS: Mitsubishi Outlander and Outlander Sport
'Train' replaced sensors on F-150 pickups
Test-drive Chevy TrailBlazer above 25 mph for two minutes
Read the entire May 2014 issue of MTD by clicking on our digital version here.
