Over the next couple of months, we will be reviewing the best-selling Cars, SUVs, Minivans, and Trucks of 2019. During the month of May, we will focus on the best-selling Minivans in 2019 in the United States.  

After the TREAD Act was mandated in 2007, all vehicles manufactured in the United States beginning in 2008, must be installed with direct or indirect TPMS systems. The Chrysler Pacifica vehicle has had TPMS sensors installed in all vehicles since 2004.

The Chrysler Pacifica uses a direct TPMS system, which means TPMS sensors are installed in the wheel. If one or more tires indicate low tire pressure, the TPMS sensors will transfer the information to the vehicle’s ECU. An indicator light (low-line TPMS system) or each tire pressure will show on the dash (high-line TPMS system).

When a tire is inflated, rotated or changed in one or more tires of a Chrysler Pacifica, a TPMS relearn must be performed to write the IDs to the vehicle.

Type of TPMS system:

• Direct TPMS, TPMS sensors are installed in the wheel, tire pressure is communicated via radio frequency (RF) technology from the sensor to the vehicle’s ECU

Type of TPMS frequency:

• 2005 – 2008: 315 MHz
• 2017 – 2020: 433MHz
• 2004 models use both 315 and 433 frequencies

Type of Relearn procedures:

• Auto relearn procedure
• Bonus OBD relearn procedure coverage as an option on the VT56, requires OBD module

Type of TPMS tool required for TPMS reset:

• TPMS activation tool such as VT15, VT30, VT31, VT36
• VT56 TPMS scan tool with OBDII module

Auto relearn procedure, years 2008-2019:

• Confirm TPMS sensors are properly installed
• Adjust tire pressure to placard value
• Hold TPMS tester on left front tire sidewall next to the valve stem, use TPMS tool to activate the sensor
• Repeat for the right front, right rear and left rear sensors
• Drive vehicle for up to 20 minutes above 15 mph or until TPMS light is off

Bonus coverage, OBD relearn procedure:

• OBDII dongle is required
• Confirm TPMS sensors are properly installed
• Adjust tire pressures to placard value
• Hold TPMS tool on left front tire sidewall next to the valve stem
• Repeat for the right front, right rear and left rear tires
• Apply OBD module to the DLC
• Turn ignition ON
• Press OK on TPMS tool to transfer sensor data to the ECU
• Disconnect OBD module from DLC
• Turn ignition OFF, then ON
• Drive for up to 5 minutes at 28 mph

Troubleshooting tips

Auto-relearn, the light won’t turn off?

The auto relearn procedure steps require the technician to drive for at least 5 minutes at 28 mph. Unfortunately, when you’re at the shop, it is not always easy or time-valuable to drive a vehicle around at over 28 mph for that amount of time. If the shop is in a city, it may not be possible to drive for over 28 mph unless the user drives outside of a city environment where it is possible to drive at higher speeds.

Solution? For most Chrysler vehicles, the bonus OBD relearn procedure is available for the ATEQ VT56, thanks to patented Sync-ID technology. This advanced feature allows the user to perform an OBD relearn to turn the light off, with minimal to no driving time required to turn the light off, saving the technician time and the customer labor costs.

Push-button start – transfer failure

If your Chrysler vehicle has a push-button start ignition, try this tip if there is a transfer failure issue. There are two modes for Chrysler’s push-button start, ACC for accessories, and RUN. Make sure to press twice to reveal RUN during the relearn procedure when the step requires the ignition to turn on before transferring the TPMS sensor IDs.