04 4Runner tire pressure alert system

floatplane · 10-25-2003, 07:33 AM

I recently found out the 04 4Runner has a system that monitors tire pressure in all five wheels (yes even the spare). When any of the tires drop below the factory specified PSI the light comes on in the dash.

They accomplish this through 5 special valve stems each mounted in a rim that report back PSI to a main monitoring computer. It is Toyota’s attempt to make the vehicle safer and in the meantime provide headaches for those who want to put aftermarket wheels on.

Has anyone heard of a way to disable this feature?

The only way I know around it at this time is mounting the special valve stems in your new wheels, and that’s if they thread correctly.

By the way the dealers don’t have a clue.

I just thought I would throw this out there since I have not seen any threads on it.

GK

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JGage · 10-25-2003, 08:15 AM

My friend just bought a 2004 V6 and it made no mention about this... However, he has metal valve stems, my 03 doesn't.
The only difference I noticed was that the 2004's insturment's stay lit during the daytime.

BT17R · 10-25-2003, 09:07 AM

It's a new Federal mandate for 2004MY vehicles. IIRC, there are two types of acceptable systems. One signals a general alarm when any tire is ~20%-30% lower than any other. It's up to the driver to figure out which one. It's the less expensive system and the one most manufacturers are using, including Toyota. The other system alarms and ID's the suspect tire, like past systems in Corvettes and other high performance cars.

Google hits for more info.

floatplane · 10-26-2003, 04:01 PM

Thanks for the feedback gentlemen!

So it sounds like the only option is moving the factory valve stems over to the the new aftermarket wheels?

Greg

BT17R · 10-26-2003, 04:49 PM

Greg, I didn't know Toyota used special valve stems, but it makes sense. I thought they used something like the new Hall-effect sensors on the 4th Gen 'Runner that control the electronics for ABS/DAC/VSC/TRAC. Those see small changes in one tire's rotational speed compared to another and trigger ABS and all the rest, or in this case a low tire pressure alarm. I could be completely off base, though, I read about it last year and didn't Google.

bamachem · 10-27-2003, 05:28 AM

So, what will this do when you want to air down to go offroad? Is the monitoring system going to buzz until you go insane?

4RUNR · 10-27-2003, 06:12 AM

This is like StarTrek stuff!

How does this system work? RF?

**waskillywabbit** · 10-27-2003, 06:28 AM

We have this system on our 2001 Toyota Sienna and I'm glad we do. Once you have all the tires the correct pressure you press a button on the left side of the dash to set the acceptable tire pressure. If any tire falls below I think 20% of this pressure a light comes on on the dash, no buzzer. This has saved us a couple times as the light came on right before going on long trips, so I checked all the tires and one had a nail in it and a slow leak. While it is certainly not a necessity, this system gives me some piece of mind with my wife's car since I can't always be there to check it all the time. She knows what the light means and knows what to do if it lights. I can't imagine there not be some way to disable a buzzer and just use the light on the dash as an indicator.

Brian

decully · 02-15-2006, 12:54 PM

What does the indicator light look like?

4fun4me · 02-16-2006, 07:04 AM

I have the 04 4runner that has that sensor. It never buzzed, but the light would come on. I just installed after market tires w/o the sensors and the light has not come on. Yea when I air down and go into 4 wd, my dash board lights up like a christmas tree. Kinda pretty!

DealMaker · 02-16-2006, 08:53 AM

One small warning light lights up, but no audio alarms. After I air up when finished off road, the light goes bye bye. Its no bother for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamachem

So, what will this do when you want to air down to go offroad? Is the monitoring system going to buzz until you go insane?

Sharp4runr · 02-16-2006, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by decully

What does the indicator light look like?

It is a yellow icon with an exclamation mark going through it. If you don't want to be bothered by the icon after switching to aftermarket rims, rip out the bulb behind the dash. See this thread at T4R for a quick explanation: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showth...=tire+pressure

BTW - First post here, been lurking for a while...

AK95Taco · 02-24-2006, 03:50 PM

Yeah it's a good sytem, but I wish they would have thought about real world conditions a little more. We have a second set of wheels and tires for winter driving and to buy the special sensors it would have been over $400!! So my wife just drives around all winter with an idiot light on the dash... Kind of frustrating for a 2004 vehical.

Even in the summer ocassionally the light will come on (like if you go through a lot of mud and get it packed into the wheelwell. At least the 2005+ get a button under the stearing column they can reset the sytem with. Also some guys with aftermarket wheels are having good luck with having the special valve stems put in thier spare tire, at least then you don't have the light on in the dash.

Romer · 09-02-2006, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK95Taco

Even in the summer ocassionally the light will come on (like if you go through a lot of mud and get it packed into the wheelwell. At least the 2005+ get a button under the stearing column they can reset the sytem with.

My pressure in all 5 tires is fine and no mud packed in that I can see. Light is shinning bright and I can't locate this reset under the steering wheel. No codes are present either.

Can someone direct me to this reset switch in my 06 4runner?

cockatootx · 08-12-2007, 01:14 AM

I have the same bothersome yellow light on my '05. None of the dealers can find the " reset " button they all talk about. The light is mostly on in the winter, but is only on sometimes in summer. I saw a post saying there is a reset button. Thanks for helping me find it !

BlakeTTS · 08-13-2007, 08:12 AM

There is no reset button. I have an 06 Runner, and have had this same problem since I bought the truck. The one and only problem Ive had with the truck. All 5 tires are just right, and unless it gets to be about 85 degrees outside, the damn light shines bright.
Apparently, the Landcruiser has a reset button, but thats it.

v8sport4runner · 08-13-2007, 08:13 AM

There isnt a reset button. Check the pressure in all your tires, usually the spare tire is the culprit since it also has the sensor.

10-25-2003, 08:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
JGage Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: NW Florida Posts: 585	My friend just bought a 2004 V6 and it made no mention about this... However, he has metal valve stems, my 03 doesn't. The only difference I noticed was that the 2004's insturment's stay lit during the daytime. __________________ 2003 Galactic Gray Limited 4WD V8 w/ X-reas. Passenger and Driver window tint mod. <G> Royal Purple ! Amsoil in the Diffs and TC. "…..there’s always a way of balancing things. Someday it’ll come. Don’t hunt for it, don’t pledge revenge – revenge is for children. It’s a lot more satisfying to f#ck with their mind. Just keep your eyes open and wait for the chance. The take it for everything its worth. "

10-25-2003, 09:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
BT17R Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Da Gorge, Oregon Posts: 5,707	It's a new Federal mandate for 2004MY vehicles. IIRC, there are two types of acceptable systems. One signals a general alarm when any tire is ~20%-30% lower than any other. It's up to the driver to figure out which one. It's the less expensive system and the one most manufacturers are using, including Toyota. The other system alarms and ID's the suspect tire, like past systems in Corvettes and other high performance cars. Google hits for more info. __________________ '07 FJ Cruiser TRD SE 6M/T

10-26-2003, 04:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
floatplane Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 27	Tire monitoring system Thanks for the feedback gentlemen! So it sounds like the only option is moving the factory valve stems over to the the new aftermarket wheels? Greg __________________ 2004 4Runner Sport V6

10-26-2003, 04:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
BT17R Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Da Gorge, Oregon Posts: 5,707	Greg, I didn't know Toyota used special valve stems, but it makes sense. I thought they used something like the new Hall-effect sensors on the 4th Gen 'Runner that control the electronics for ABS/DAC/VSC/TRAC. Those see small changes in one tire's rotational speed compared to another and trigger ABS and all the rest, or in this case a low tire pressure alarm. I could be completely off base, though, I read about it last year and didn't Google. __________________ '07 FJ Cruiser TRD SE 6M/T

10-27-2003, 06:28 AM	#8 (permalink)
waskillywabbit Super Moderator-Sponsoring Member Staff Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 15,140	Tire Pressure System We have this system on our 2001 Toyota Sienna and I'm glad we do. Once you have all the tires the correct pressure you press a button on the left side of the dash to set the acceptable tire pressure. If any tire falls below I think 20% of this pressure a light comes on on the dash, no buzzer. This has saved us a couple times as the light came on right before going on long trips, so I checked all the tires and one had a nail in it and a slow leak. While it is certainly not a necessity, this system gives me some piece of mind with my wife's car since I can't always be there to check it all the time. She knows what the light means and knows what to do if it lights. I can't imagine there not be some way to disable a buzzer and just use the light on the dash as an indicator. Brian __________________ WabFab Off-Road, LLC MySpace Twitter Facebook 7th Annual South East 4Runner Jamboree, 2010 The toughest part of a Jeep is the chick driving it.

10-27-2003, 05:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
bamachem Banned Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 0	So, what will this do when you want to air down to go offroad? Is the monitoring system going to buzz until you go insane?

10-27-2003, 06:12 AM	#7 (permalink)
4RUNR Guest Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: North Pole Posts: 1,619	This is like StarTrek stuff! How does this system work? RF?

02-15-2006, 12:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
decully Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1	What does the indicator light look like?

02-16-2006, 07:04 AM	#10 (permalink)
4fun4me Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 40	I have the 04 4runner that has that sensor. It never buzzed, but the light would come on. I just installed after market tires w/o the sensors and the light has not come on. Yea when I air down and go into 4 wd, my dash board lights up like a christmas tree. Kinda pretty! __________________ "Nothing succeeds like a toothless canary."

02-24-2006, 03:50 PM	#13 (permalink)
AK95Taco Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Alaska Posts: 41	Yeah it's a good sytem, but I wish they would have thought about real world conditions a little more. We have a second set of wheels and tires for winter driving and to buy the special sensors it would have been over $400!! So my wife just drives around all winter with an idiot light on the dash... Kind of frustrating for a 2004 vehical. Even in the summer ocassionally the light will come on (like if you go through a lot of mud and get it packed into the wheelwell. At least the 2005+ get a button under the stearing column they can reset the sytem with. Also some guys with aftermarket wheels are having good luck with having the special valve stems put in thier spare tire, at least then you don't have the light on in the dash. __________________ It’s all fun and games, until somebody gets hurt… Then it’s hilarious!!!

08-12-2007, 01:14 AM	#15 (permalink)
cockatootx Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1	Where is reset button for tire pressure on 05 4runner I have the same bothersome yellow light on my '05. None of the dealers can find the " reset " button they all talk about. The light is mostly on in the winter, but is only on sometimes in summer. I saw a post saying there is a reset button. Thanks for helping me find it !

08-13-2007, 08:12 AM	#16 (permalink)
BlakeTTS Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 33	There is no reset button. I have an 06 Runner, and have had this same problem since I bought the truck. The one and only problem Ive had with the truck. All 5 tires are just right, and unless it gets to be about 85 degrees outside, the damn light shines bright. Apparently, the Landcruiser has a reset button, but thats it.

08-13-2007, 08:13 AM	#17 (permalink)
v8sport4runner Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 199	There isnt a reset button. Check the pressure in all your tires, usually the spare tire is the culprit since it also has the sensor. __________________ -Grant 2004 4Runner V8 4x4 Sport (Galactic Gray) -2004 Sequoia Rims Powdercoated Black Look Here -Wild Country TXR's 265/70/17

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