VW TPMS Systems without Wheel Position Recognition

This Tech Tip is intended to cover VW models that use the TPMS system Without Wheel Position Recognition.

See the section specific to each model to check if detailed information can be found, specifically for those models like the VW Touareg or Audi A8 that use position recognition.

• This system is commonly found in the US spec:
  • Golf, GTI, Rabbit, Jetta, Jetta Sportwagen (1K/5M/AJ) 2005+
  • Eos (1F) 2007+
  • Passat (3C) 2006+
  • Passat Coupe (35) 2009+
  • Tiguan (5N) 2007+

These vehicles use the Address [65] - Tire Pressure Monitoring control module. The Comfort System control module antenna is used to receive the signals from 4 wheel mounted TPMS sensors. For this reason wheel position recognition is not possible.

Special Tools

• VCDS (VAG-COM Diagnostic System)
• Battery Charger
• Tire Psi Gauge
• Air Compressor

Prerequisites

• Check the actual tire pressures. If a leak is found correct it first !
• When checking the tire pressure verify that metal valve stems are present. Rubber valve stems are a good indication that TPMS sensors are Not installed.

Workshop Procedure with VCDS

• Select control module address [65-Tire Pressure] and check the [02-Fault Codes]. Leave the key on.
  • If no fault codes are stored and the TPMS light is On, the solution may involve correcting the low tire Psi. Confirm this by taking the vehicle for a short test drive or performing the wake-up procedure and the light should go out.
  • If faults are stored, further diagnosis is necessary

The Wake-Up Procedure

• With the Key On, rapidly deflate all 4 tires, one at a time, by approximately 10 to 12 Psi. This is critical because the sensors will awaken when a rapid Psi loss is detected.

Alternatively, a hand held TPMS tool can be used to wake the sensors without letting air out of the tires.

Note: It may take between 15 seconds and 2 minutes for the data to be transmitted to the module.

• Check [08-Measuring Blocks]. The relevant sensor readings are generally:
  • MB's 001, 004, 007, and 010, should show the Wheel Specific data including Actual and Specified readings.
  • MB 016 can be very useful since it contains the data from the last sensor to transmit a signal.
  • MB 025 will show which wheel set is enabled. Wheel set 1 is default. If it’s on wheel set 2, Adaptation values may need altered.

• Move on to each wheel to verify the readings.
• Correct all tire Psi to the specified level for the vehicle. If one or more wheels are not showing an Actual reading it will be necessary to determine which sensor is a fault
  • If a sensor is suspected as faulty it would be advised to log a Good wheel and the Suspect wheel during a test drive. This will confirm that no reading is shown while driving when centrifugal acceleration and vehicle speed are present.

Matching a New Sensor

If a new sensor was installed it must be matched to the module.

• Turn the Key on with a battery charger connected.
• Awaken all sensors as previously described immediately followed by correcting the tire Psi.
• Leave the Key On for an additional 20 minutes and do not move the vehicle. This will allow the module to learn the ID from the new sensor.
• After the learning procedure has been performed, take the vehicle for a test drive. The length of the drive may vary depending on the vehicle but 5 to 8 minutes is typically sufficient.

Special Notes

• Depending on ambient temperatures, a Psi loss greater than 2 Psi can cause a warning lamp to illuminate without storing fault codes.
• Always refer to the tire Psi shown in the Driver's door label for the specifications for each vehicle.
• The TPMS module will not display Actual Psi data after the key has been cycled. The wake up procedure or a test drive will need to be repeated after a key cycle.
• An inactive wheel sensor will not transmit a signal to the module.
• When replacing a sensor it is generally useful to take note of the new ID, printed on the body of the part, prior to the tire being mounted on the wheel.
• By design, the TPMS system will not alert the driver for an overinflated tire, only under-inflation conditions will trigger a fault lamp!