407 TPMS Valves

[moizeau]

Chaps, In the UK right now, just picked up my 'new' 407 2l hdi 6 speed semi auto. Lovely car. It's been sat for 4 weeks waiting for me. When I started it last night the screen was blurred, then shortly afterwards the STOP came on showing a puncture! Looked at the tyres, all good. Went to a garage to check pressures and I couldn't get 2 of the dust caps off! Back to my brothers to eat the chips then out with the pliers. The metal end of the valves sheared off on the 2 rh wheels exposing the centre pins, and lots of white powder corrosion. That'll be the fault then. Booked in tomorrow for 2 new valves....But why? Heat exposure in the UK? If it is heat then that may be the reason for the screen, which died to black today, then came back in places for a while, and now is black again. I'm going back home Tuesday and would prefer to have a screen that tells my what's going on. I plugged it in, no codes or faults so I presume the car thinks it's working? Any ideas what be much appreciated. Cheers

[Paul-R]

When a car has TPMS valves (as I'm fairly sure yours has) it's important NOT to use metal valve caps which can react with the alloy of the valve stem. The easiest way is to use plastic valve caps but it sounds like someone has tried to pimp the wheels a bit and fitted some metal ones.

If the threads have crumbled so a cap can no longer be fitted then it sounds like it's replacement time for the valves. Ouch on the price though. And you'll need an exciter to go with your Lexia to pair the new valves to the system.

It may be a coincidence about the screen. As no error codes are being returned it may be a distinct possibility there is a physical problem with the screen.

[GiveMeABreak]

The original TPMS valves suffer from the brass inner core and the aluminium outer casing, which causes a reaction and eventual failure. Also, never use metallic valve caps.

I had all mine replaced with the newer type after I had a catastrophic blowout on a dual carriageway. The whole valve shot out leaving a hole with the tyre instantly deflating.

I complained to Citroen head office as they new about this happening and told them had I been going through the high street and that had happened there, it could of killed a young child like a bullet!

Suffice it to say they replaced the lot with the newer type. So make sure they are using the newer type.

I’ve changed the title of this post as it is mostly to do with the TPMS valves. When you have more infor about your screen, post it up into the Telematics section.

[moizeau]

Cheers chaps, the valve caps were plastic and both on the same side? The LHS unscrewed fine and look good, having new ones fitted tomorrow (erm this) morning. The screen 90% came back tonight? Hopefully condensation from standing. Interesting about the 'chemical corrosion' similar to the back of a Landy where the ali bolts to the steel. Thanks again

[GiveMeABreak]

Good news about the screen - battery issues can also be a cause, so I would give it a good charge up. If disconnecting battery to charge, remember Battery disconnect procedure (same as BSI reset), but can be charged on the vehicle.

Note: Be aware, you will probably have one of the Battery Charge Status Units fitted onto the negative battery clamps pictured below. If charging on the car, make sure you connect the Battery Charger negative onto the FLAT metal blade to the right of the unit pictured and not directly to the negative battery post itself.

The main function of the battery state of charge unit is to calculate the state of charge of the battery and to transmit this information to the built-in systems interface in order to refine the activation of the energy economy mode.

And back to the tyre valves - always fit rubber / plastic caps.

[EDC5]

I never knew this, although it makes perfect sense. The last time I charged my old battery it was directly to the battery terminals. That probably didn't help the economy mode issue!

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes it's not obvious by any means, but I think important to note Elis

[moizeau]

Thanks for the advice Marc. Took the car in this morning, the chap said that the TPMS valves were 60 squids a wheel, but depending on the MOT laws in France and whether I really wanted them, he could just fit normal valves. (for nought, the gaffa is my mate). Gone with this for the minute with having the screen issue and the car not have run far yet, the car only cost 650. Going to dis-activate the sensors later. The screen was spot on this morning but after a few miles got worse and worse until it went black. Whilst it was working I set all the auto stuff up as I want and be playing with any buttons until it comes back!! Thanks again, I think there are going to be a few more questions being posted now that I'm slowly coming out of the stone age.

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok, no problems, but please be aware that until the TPMS system is deactivated using PP2000 diagnostic hardware / software you will possibly be getting warnings about the tyres not being monitored and that can be pretty distracting.

The valves are expensive, but can be bought cheaper online, but they do tend to last years and years. If you are going to opt out of them (depending on French laws as you say), and fit with normal ones then no problems as long as the system is deactivated. If you ever do decide to get them replaced, then apart from fitting the valves, you will need the system reactivating and each of the valves paired and programmed.

There are also some aftermarket affairs now that you can get with simple transmitters which send a wireless signal to a dash mounted unit if you ever wanted a non OEM warning system.

I have mine all working and they are 99% correct when they alert me - the quality of tyre fitting these days is so bad I often have to go back and get the tyres re-fitted because of the slow leaks.

[moizeau]

Thanks Marc, I've just got back home, at last. I'm going to dis activate the valves, I see from reading you have do the 'radio' 'tpm' and 'BSI'. I saw the options yesterday after I set off and then the car went into surge mode after I hit the Cruise Control, (that's for anther post), then I got a windscreen chip half way down France (that's just bad luck) and the screen is still playing up (also going to be another post) I want to really like the car, it drives beautifully, but it is testing me at the moment. So for this afternoon as I've had 3 hours sleep since 6am yesterday.... time for a beer and an early night.

[GiveMeABreak]

Sounds like a plan - plenty to dream about then!

[moizeau]

Right then, the tpms is disabled. Off to start a new thread on the screen, cheers for all the comments and advice.