Hello everyone,
I looked for some info with regards to TPMS sensor compatibility between model years, but I didn't come up with an exact answer. Just checking to see if anyone could answer this...

I currently have a 2007 Vantage - has the 19" wheels with the original TPMS sensors/module (Smartire). Never have had an issue...

I just purchased a set of 2013 Vantage "V-Spoke" wheels with their own TPMS sensors still installed.

After researching a bit, I know that the module has changed since 2007, and any different sensors need to be assigned into the older Smartire modules. My question is this: are the 2013 sensors in the new wheels even compatible with the 2007 Smartire module?

Of course an option is to install the 2007 sensors into the new V-spoke wheels, but I expect the battery life is now limited and would prefer to use the newer sensors in the new wheels (if they are compatible with the older module). Thank you!

 

I don't think they're compatible. The newer system has an extra wire compared to the Smartire system. As it was explained to me by an AM tech: The Smartire system could be completely disabled simply by disconnecting the module, so the new system incorporates an extra wire that basically ensures the module is connected and throws an error if unplugged.

 

Correct - They are not compatible. I have an 07 and 2 sets of wheels/tires. I disconnect the old Smartire head unit when I put the 20" Vellanos on w/o TPMS; then reconnect it when the Sportspacks with stock TPM go back on. Works like a charm. New style designed not to allow the bypass of the TPM system. Someone might have figured away around the new design. I haven't heard of it yet.

 

Many thanks! I think that is the method I will use - disconnect the module and go. I read stories of that working for some but not all (threw tire messages on the dash when disconnected), but I'll give it a try.

 

I'm one of the ones that it did not work for. I have a fault code despite unplugging the module (I didn't swap the TPMS sensors onto my new wheels).

As I understand it, and I might be wrong, the people (myself included) that do have the fault code after unplugging the module had the fault prior to unplugging it. So unplugging it does not fix the fault if it already existed. And people that don't have a fault code after unplugging the module didn't have it beforehand. Again, I might be wrong, but based on what I've seen it seems that unplugging the module will retain whatever error- or error-free state previously existed.

 

Thanks for that info! I unplugged the module (2007 Smartire) today to test, and it worked like a charm. It didn't have a fault code before the disconnect, and there is no fault code after the disconnect. I'll just have it permanently unplugged and will spare myself of unmounting and remounting 8 tires in an effort to preserve the archaic system.

If I had one of the newer "shows the pressure" systems, then I would invest in the sensor swap process. Even then, perhaps the new system can accommodate new/different wheel sensors. If there was a way to upgrade, I would probably do so. Doesn't sound like there is such a thing for the older models.

Thanks all! B

 

Actually there's only been 4 wires on Smarties units.. You can swap among SmarTire modules old or new and it will work, just might have a hard time programming unless the tech has the old first generation tool.. Early cars had 4 wires to the connector, the newer style had 3 wires to the connector but the 4th wire was spliced onto one of the 3rd wires to know when the module was unplugged via an edited config file. All tpms faults are held in the tmps module for SmarTire...Beru systems are completely different though

 

Irish,

Do you if its possible to replace the SmarTire system on my 2012.5 V12 Vantage with the new Beru system and get the pressure display in the dash? The V12 Vantage S has this. I'm not overly concerned with cost.

Henry

 

Impossible unless you had a friend at Gaydon to design software to make this happen with your instrument cluster, then the config file would need updating by AM as well..the wiring, modules and antennas would be the easy part out of all this..

I'm sure it's all possible, but would cost a nice large chunk of cash..

To compare a price, it might be cheaper to turbo charge a Vantage than to retrofit Beru with no kit designed by AM

 

Oh well, I thought it was worth asking about the potential upgrade. It's just maddening that the car still has the SmarTire system but the car's manual says it should have the Beru system...

Henry

 

Yah I know what you mean, it's as if the V12V was used for all the remaining Smartire units to clear the shelves..

Even the new units can be disabled though, just I'm not legally allowed to comment on how ;-)