Journey FWD V6-3.5L (2009)
Tire Pressure Sensor: Description and Operation
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) Sensor - Operation
OPERATION
The battery operated tire pressure sensor is both a transmitter and a receiver. The TPM sensor can be forced to transmit by using a special tool such as a
TPM-RKE Analyzer. Using a TPM-RKE Analyzer can take up to a minute to force a transmission from a sensor.
NOTE: The TPM-RKE Analyzer will not define the mode.
The TPM sensor can be in one of the following operating modes:
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OFF MODE - A new TPM sensor will be in this mode. In this mode the sensor does not transmit periodically on its own. By forcing a
transmission from the sensor with the TPM-RKE Analyzer, it will change to the STATIONARY MODE. The sensor will also automatically
change from OFF mode to the STATIONARY MODE once it experiences a great increase in pressure (i.e. installation into a wheel/tire assembly
and then inflated).
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WAL MODE - This is the operating mode the sensor assumes when the vehicle is driven over 15mph (24km/h), but only after the vehicle was
previously parked for a duration of 18 minutes or greater. In WAL MODE the sensors transmit every 33 seconds and these transmissions contain
left/right information that allows the TPM Module to determine sensor location on the vehicle. WAL MODE lasts for the first 10 minutes of
consecutive driving, then NORMAL DRIVE mode ensues.
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FACTORY MODE- This is a special case of WAL MODE. If a TPM sensor has just been taken out of OFF MODE, then for the first 3 minutes
of the WAL period (10 minutes) the sensors transmit at an accelerated rate of every 10 seconds. After the first 20 drives, then the sensors never
again transmit out of FACTORY MODE.
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NORMAL MODE - This is the operating mode the sensor assumes after the first 10 minutes of a drive. In NORMAL MODE the sensors
transmit every 66 seconds and cease transmitting left/right information.
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SERVICE MODE- Once a vehicle stops, the sensors go into SERVICE MODE. After 18 minutes of no driving then the sensors go into the
STATIONARY MODE. If the vehicle was stopped for less than 18 minutes and driving resumes, then the sensors go back to the NORMAL
MODE.
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STATIONARY MODE - When a vehicle has been stopped for more then 18 minutes, then the sensor is forced into STATIONARY MODE. In
STATIONARY MODE the sensor never transmits any pressure information. The sensor leaves STATIONARY MODE and enters WAL MODE
when the vehicle is driven above 15mph (24km/h).
Each sensor's (transmitter) broadcast is uniquely coded so that the TPM module can monitor the state of each of the sensors on the four rotating road
wheels. The TPM module can automatically learn and store the sensor's ID while driving "within 20 minutes continuously above 15 mph (24 km/h)"
after a sensor has been replaced. The vehicle must be stationary for more then 20 minutes in order to initiate the learning sequence. The TPM module
can also learn the sensor's ID using the TPM-RKE Analyzer, Special Tool 9936, with the Scan Tool following the procedure listed in the appropriate
diagnostic information.
