Tire Pressure Sensor

[eugene.s]

Dear All,

One of my tire pressure sensors went off (no signal). Well, their battery is not designed to withstand 7 years...

I am looking to buy replacement sensors (all 5). There is no official dealer in my place (Russia). A Toyota dealer could give me a catalogue # 42607-35010 for my sensors and quoted a $170 price for each.

I couldn't find such # in ebay, but found a lot of other allegedly compatible (and much cheaper) sensors.

Can someone knowledgeable guide me which sensors to order (e.g. make/specific model)?

Many thanks in advance,

Eugene

[eugene.s]

The cheapest compatible sensors I was able to find were Orange Electronic TO35010 ($37.30 per each). Hope to get them in a few more weeks, will revert with feedback.

[eugene.s]

Got the Orange Electronic TO35010 sensors from Amazon (posted there a shorter version of this review):

Ordered 5 sensors from Amazon (it also being the seller) a month or so ago and installed them today, fit Lexus GX470, 2005.

The delivered sensors looked slightly differently (not so elegant) than on the Amazon picture and came with plastic (not metal) caps.

They came in 2 batches: the 1st of 4 sensors, built in Nov 2009, and the 2nd of 1 sensor, built in Dec 2011. The manufacturer's support explained that year/month built comes from the batch number - in my case, 510-091117006 and 511-111221012 respectively.

Manufacturer's support service is very quick. They explained that though an average sensor's life is 5-7 years, the year built should be of no concern as sensors use no power until activated (by inflating the tire up to 26psi).

Installation by a dealer should not take more than 2 hours. The dealer was not happy to deal with aftermarket sensors but did not charge extra fees.

He inputted the sensors into the computer before their installation on wheels. He applied pressure on them with his hands (as if he wanted to break them into two pieces) and warmed them, again in his hands. The 2011 sensor woke up within a minute or so. The dealer's computer started indicating the applied pressure and temperature. The '09's did not activate this way and I was said they are junk. I've noticed that the 2 top pin-holes on the '09 seem to have some seal or membrane which the '11 did not have. I asked to install them and pressurize to 34psi just in case in a hope to break the seal, before reducing the tire pressure back to the normal 32psi. This worked and the '09's also activated.

I had checked with a few authorized U.S. Lexus dealers, they were selling at ~$130 per sensor (the lowest quote I got was ~$105). For the system to work, you need 5 -- for the main and spare tires -- i.e. $650 ($525, if you are lucky). So, Amazon's price for the Orange sensors ($36 each or $180 for 5) makes the difference. By the way, the removed original sensors look exactly like the Schrader sensors also sold by Amazon at approx $130 each.

One needs to know that Orange sensors are aftermarket and untested. I'll update this report if any failures or sudden death.

[NancyinLA]

I was told today that the batteries failed on 2 of my tire pressure sensors, and dealer wanted $400 to replace them. I declined. This was for an 8-yr. old RX 350.