robertsteven

This is not your ordinary TPMS problem. Like many others (and I have gone through many message boards looking for a solution) my TPMS warning light starts blinking after about 15 minutes of highway type driving. My RX8 is about 2 years old with 20k miles and an automatic (please don’t rag on me for the AT, I know the error of my ways now).

First the sequence of events:
1. I Like the 18” stockers better than the 16”, so in January I purchased a used set of 18’s with Tires and TPMS intact and sold my 16’s with tires and TPMS.
2. Everything worked fine. No blinking. The sensors even told me when the air pressure was low. (BTW, you are supposed to replace the TPMS gaskets and valve core when you replace the tires to prevent any slow leaks from reusing the gasket. The kits are available for only $2.25 at http://www.sherco-auto.com/tpms.htm.)
3. This is when the problem started. I installed an AudiLink MP3 player and mounted it with a zip tie to the inside of the glove box. I disconnected the car battery before doing this.
4. I followed the owners manual to initialize the TPMS with the key on, then off and wait 15 minutes, then drive (blah blah blah), but the blinking light would always come back on.
5. I tested each tire individually, lowering the air pressure to 23psi and sure enough, each time I did this, the TPMS warning light would go on, then go out after refilling the tire. Thought all was fine, but after driving, the blinking began again.

No clue what do to next, because event 5 didn’t uncover a bad TPMS. Also, not sure if buying a used TPMS would fix the problem or is even a good solution. They are powered by non-replaceable batteries that only last about 5 years, although new they are only $54 from http://www.tpmssource.com/catalog/tp...mazda/rx8.aspx, it seems crazy to incur this cost as a maintenance item.

Sorry for the wordy explanation, but as you can see, I think I touched on all issues. I turn to this forum for shedding light on troubleshooting this. I may move the AudioLink out of the glove box today to see if this fixes it. I really don’t want to tear apart the dash again to disconnect it completely and try that.

Thanks in advance.
Rob

hitman408

Your still under warranty ,let dealer fix it

robertsteven

The wheels and TPMS are not what came on THIS car, so it is unlikely the dealer will fix it under warranty.

Georgia8er

They have no way of knowing if the TPMS sensors themselves are the originals. Give the dealer a try, worst they can say is no.

robertsteven

Should I go to the trouble of pulling out the AudioLink? (Moving the AudioLink outside the glove box had no affect)

tiltmode43

iTrader: (15)

Bring it to the dealer and tell them of the problem - "TPMS starts blinking after about 15min of driving; I just started noticing this recently"

If they ask if youve made any modifications because they are OE wheels and TPMS you can tell them you got the audiolink professionally installed but shouldnt make a difference that you know of - they'll either have to come back with an explanation of how the audio link can effect it or check it out.

Mugatu

iTrader: (1)

i had the blinking TPMS light on my first 8 all the time. it turned out I had faulty sensors. it had nothing to do with the rim, tire, or air pressure. It would happen out of nowhere, where after 10 minutes of the car being on (almost to the minute) the light would start flashing.

my first couple visits involved the dealer saying they checked the pressure and everything checked out OK, but I know they didn't see the light come on because they didn't have the car on 10 minutes. They eventually saw the light (no pun intended) and had to replace the actual sensor, and the light went away.

Mazurfer

So how much pressure you put in them when you fill them back up? I doubt it's your issue, but the TPMS will go on with over inflation as well. That number is pretty high(46 I think.......I'd have to go look), but as you drive the air expands, so if you are already pushing it(running high pressure), that could be the source.

If the TPMS is blinking and not on solid, then it does infact mean a malfunction in the system, So your test(lowering pressure) or my idea that it was over pressure shouldn't be it at all.
Also........I see you you moved the audiolink. There have been some devices that cause interference when mounted somewhere close to the center of the dash, you I guess I would experiment a little more and remove it completely for a few drive cycles and see what happens, then put it back in and see.

It sounds like you might just have a bad sensor and the flashing could be sort of a low battry(in the sensor) type of warning although it may still work for awhile.

robertsteven

I removed the AudioLink and the blinking went away. Donny at RPM said he has recently had other Mazda owners with this same problem and does not have a solution. Has anyone out there with the AudioLink product experienced this, and if so, did they find a solution with the routing of the cables. Also, if anyone has the audiolink without a blinking TPMS light, where did they place their unit to accomplish this?

Maybe I should start a new thread in the Audio section?

Mazurfer

I would start one over in that thread.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

x2.

you could help lots of others..

obscure issue.

beers