Chevrolet Silverado: Why is the Service Tire Monitor Light On?

This article applies to the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (1999-2006).

The service tire monitor light is a warning bulb connected with the TPMS or Tire Pressure Monitor System, which notifies the driver of low or high air pressure in the tires. These sensors became especially popular on vehicles from the late 1990s onwards, and are a prominent feature on first generation Silverado 1500's. Although the feature itself does well in preventing damage from under or over-inflated tires, the sensor can become worn or damaged, resulting in a light that will not turn off. Common causes of a stuck light include damaged TPMS sensors and incorrect tire pressure. However, some cases may only require the tire pressure system to just be reset.

Step 1 – Tires may need some air

The tires may be under inflated.

Tires are always in use on a vehicle, and overtime air may seep out causing it to become under-inflated. If the tire reaches under 25 PSI, the tire pressure monitor service light will turn on. To fix this problem, use the following instructions.

• Take an air pressure gauge and measure all the tires, making sure they reflect the correct PSI numbers.
• Use an air compressor to fill each tire to their recommended psi.

After refilling the tires to their recommended air pressure, the TPMS sensors may need to be reset. Move on to Step 2 to learn how.

Step 2 – Reset the TPMS sensors

The tire pressure system may need to be reset.

Resetting the tire pressure system is always done after refilling the air or replacing a wheel on your truck. However, in some cases the sensors may just fall out of being synchronized with each other, in which case a reset procedure is necessary to erase the service warning light. The reset procedure is tedious, and as most Chevy owners agree, unorthodox. However, this procedure must be completed in order to reset the service light.

• Set the truck to park.
• Turn the ignition to the RUN position, while the engine remains turned off.
• Turn the headlight switch "On" and "Off" four times in three seconds; this puts the vehicle into reset mode and will alert you with two horn chips. The Tire Pressure Monitor light will also begin to blink.
• Begin removing air from the driver-side front tire.
• Remove air from the tire for about 10 seconds, then wait for the truck's horn to chirp. Each chirp signifies that tire sensor as matched with the monitor system. Note: If the horn does not sound, the system has reset itself and the procedure will need to be re-done.
• Continue to repeat the process for each of the tires.
• The horn will honk twice on the last tire, which will alert you that the reset process is complete.
• Turn off the truck.
• Connect the air compressor to each tire and refill them to the specified pressure ratings.
• Turn on the truck and check the TPMS light.

Step 3 – Replace the TPMS sensors

The sensors may be damaged.

Although unlikely, the TPMS sensors on a wheel can become damaged, usually due to issues that occur on the tire mounting process. If the sensor itself is damaged, the tire will need to be removed. The only safe way to remove a tire requires using a tire mounting machine. However, once the the tire is removed, use the following instructions to replace the sensor.

• Mount a wrench on either side of the TPMS sensor and break it loose from the wheel.
• Remove the old sensor.
• Place the sensor behind the wheel.
• Mount the new sensor to the wheel.

Featured Video: Resetting the TPMS on your Chevy Truck

Related Discussions and Sites

• Service Tire Monitor System and TPMS - Chevroletforum.com
• 2007 Silverado TPMS - Chevroletforum.com
• How-To: Install TPMS Sensors and Reset TPM System- 355nation.net
• 2004 Tahoe "SERVICE TIRE MONITOR" message? - AR15.com