Is ANYONE happy with the TPMS unit sold in the mp3Car store?

**Sonicxtacy02** · 08-02-2011, 08:05 AM

In regards to this unit

I won one of these things a few years back and i've basically had problems from installation. One sensor had a pretty huge leak until i had the tire technician tighten the valve. One of the sensors had far less reported battery life compared to the other four, but that really wasnt a big deal, i just replaced that sensor with the one from my spare. Then i had one sensor that was very lazy to update (one update per hour basis on a good day). Now both sensors on the left side of my car (coincidentally the side where the usb receiver is installed) completely fail to update.

It's not a battery issue because for 2 years now the remaining sensors have reported the same battery value (the remaining good ones both show 70% battery life, the other ones reported near the same back when they worked).

If I knew it was a battery issue or hell maybe the sensors just konked out it'd be alright with it and just buy replacement sensors, but does anyone consider there TPMS setup reliable enough to even bother spending the 70 bucks for 2 new sensors?

Please anyone with positive or negative experience chime in here.

**SNOtwistR** · 08-02-2011, 09:22 AM

I have been very happy with my kit i bought last year from MP3car store. you really can't put the loose valve in with problems from the kit as thats human error issue. The installer should have checked that when installing or you should have checked that as regular maintenance. As for the battery/updating issue, I have found its all about location of the receiver. I have found the lower the better for the receiver, mine is on the floor in central location. How does it work in the basic app tpms doctor? Just my 2cents SNO

**Blankstar85** · 08-03-2011, 01:10 PM

I was an original buyer when it was just being tested/released. I have it mounted in the middle of my jetta under the center console the right of the ebrake. All the sensors work good, and the batteries were good.

The only issue i have is that it stalls my bios from booting, takes exceptionally longer time to post. and then in windows it wont be detected until i unplug it and re plug it back in.
I need to really figure that out.

**Enforcer** · 08-03-2011, 05:37 PM

I have one I bought during a UK Group Buy.

It seems to work oK, only issue I really have is that one of my tyres keeps losing pressure, I originally put this down to the valve, but have since used a valve screwdriver with the correct torque setting and it still loses pressure. So either that tyre has a slow puncture or the fitting of the valve isn't 100%

I have also moved the main box to the centre of the car and have hidden it under the rear ashtray. Originally it was in the boot and struggled with the front tyres.

@blankstar85, I also had issues with it not being detected on a reboot when I was using a MATX board and an M4-ATX, I managed to solve this by plugging it into the Carnetix powered USB hub.

but now I am using a Intek Atom 945 with an M2-ATX and it is plugged into the on board USB and is working fine.

**DigitalVampire** · 08-04-2011, 02:49 AM

I have the same unit which was part of the initial build by Portal Media.
Replaced the microcontroller once since it had issues with new sensors from 3rd Eye.
Replaced all valve-stems since the ones I received had some major design error and leaks like hell...

I'm somewhat satisfied with the working of the system but mine has a persistent issue that the 5th sensor does not get detected.
It does not look like a sensor issue since it does get detected if I try to learn it anytime but in the 5th position. The 5th position do not get detected (learned) irrespective of the sensor. Does anyone else face this issue?

There is another issue (design limitation) that it does not report whether the displayed results are really the latest or 10 mins old or 10 hrs or 10 days old. This makes the readings anything but dependable. A time stamp on when the reading was last refreshed would have been a very welcome addition but it looks like plugin development has been stalled for almost a year now.

Also some random sensors reports very low pressure but corrects itself instantly...

Overall it WORKS...Is it reliable?...NO

**Enforcer** · 08-04-2011, 06:49 AM

Where did you get the replacement valve stems? (wonder if that might be my issue)

**DigitalVampire** · 08-04-2011, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by Enforcer

Where did you get the replacement valve stems? (wonder if that might be my issue)

It was sent to me by Portal Media who is the manufacturer of the all-integrated USB TPMS unit.
From your description of the problem, yours sounds like a slow leak but in my case, the leak was so bad on all valves that it was totally unusable.

**Wayne613** · 08-04-2011, 09:35 AM

Not to hijack, but has anyone looked into integration with OEM TPMS sensors? I can find a few boards as this is of course standardized frequency wise, but is there any decent solution sold? Would that kit be able to paired correctly with OEM ones?

**Enforcer** · 08-04-2011, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by Wayne613

Not to hijack, but has anyone looked into integration with OEM TPMS sensors? I can find a few boards as this is of course standardized frequency wise, but is there any decent solution sold? Would that kit be able to paired correctly with OEM ones?

Unlikely, as the frequencies and protocols are very likely to be different.

I'm someone could go through the process RobbyBMW did with the third eye ones and reverse engineer the OEM ones, but then you need someone with the equiptment, knowledge, Sensors and the motivation to do it,

**Wayne613** · 08-04-2011, 12:42 PM

all have to run in the 420mhz allocated range, is the protocol for communication not standardized for these? If so, that tends to take the wind outta my sails...cheeeeeeeeseness..