Omitec OM504 Users Manual
User’s Manual
OmiDetect 50
TPM Sensor Tester
CH041006 Rev A.1
OM504/2
The information, specifications and illustrations in this manual are based
on the latest information available at the time of publication. The
manufacturer reserves the right to make equipment changes at any time
without notice.
© Copyright 2007 Omitec, Inc.
All rights reserved. OmiDetect is a
registered trademark of Omitec, Inc.
Printed in the U.K.
.
OmiDetect 50
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION............................................................................2
Direct Versus Indirect Systems ..................................................3
About Sensors ............................................................................4
Activating Sensors......................................................................4
Reprogramming..........................................................................5
2. SAFETY INFORMATION...............................................................7
3. KIT CONTENTS.............................................................................9
4. CONTROLS AND INDICATORS.................................................10
5. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS....................................................11
6. WHAT TO DO IF OMIDETECT CANNOT
ACTIVATE THE TPM SENSOR ..................................................14
Technique A..............................................................................14
Technique B..............................................................................14
7. REPROGRAMMING THE TPM CONTROL MODULE................15
8. VEHICLE COVERAGE GUIDE....................................................16
9. SPECIFICATIONS .......................................................................19
10. TROUBLESHOOTING ...............................................................20
11. CARE AND MAINTENANCE .....................................................21
12. WARRANTY...............................................................................21
13. TECHNICAL SUPPORT.............................................................21
Introduction
1. Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the OmiDetect 50 Tire
Pressure Monitoring (TPM) sensor tester. To enjoy safe and the
best performance from your OmiDetect 50, please read and
follow all instructions, recommendations and warnings.
Understanding the basics of tire pressure monitoring systems
is essential to using the OmiDetect effectively, so be sure to
review the following sections thoroughly.
OmiDetect is a state-of-the-art tester designed especially for
automated and manual testing of Schrader TPM valve sensors for
correct operation. Used properly, it will allow you to quickly:
Confirm that the vehicle’s Schrader TPM sensors are
working properly before you start tire/wheel service work
(including rotating, changing or balancing tires/wheels).
This will reduce the risk of your having to replace a sensor
that was defective prior to your starting the work.
Confirm that the vehicles Schrader TPM sensors are
working properly after you complete tire/wheel service
work.
After rotating the vehicle’s wheels, activate their Schrader
TPM sensors to allow the vehicle control unit monitoring
the TPM sensors to identify their new location.
Diagnose problems with Schrader TPM sensors and other
TPM system components.
Confirm that a Schrader TPM sensor you replaced is
working properly.
Confirm that you installed the correct type of sensor.
History of TPM Systems
In the wake of tire safety issues involving SUVs in the late ‘90s,
Congress passed the Transportation Recall Enhancement,
Accountability, and Documentation (TREAD) Act in 2000. The
TREAD Act mandated that automotive manufacturers start phasing
TPM systems into all their new light vehicles with a GVWR of 10,000
pounds or less beginning in November 2003. By 2006, 90% of all
light vehicles are to comply, and by Sept. 1, 2007, all new light
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Introduction
vehicles must comply. The total population of vehicles with TPM
systems will grow from approximately 4 million units in 2003 to close
to 50 million units by the end of the decade.
The NHTSA, which is responsible for establishing and enforcing
vehicle safety standards, published a mandate requiring that the
TPM system must be capable of monitoring all four tires and alerting
the driver if a tire is under inflated by 25% or more of the OEM’s
recommended tire pressure. Testing showed that proper tire inflation
significantly improves vehicle handling safety, decreases tread wear,
improves fuel economy, and decreases stopping distances.
Underinflated tires are dangerous because they build up internal
heat that can damage the tire structure, potentially resulting in fatal
blowouts.
Direct Versus Indirect Systems
The NHTSA’s mandate on TPM systems allows two system
architectures. The first, called the “direct” system, uses a direct RF
link from each wheel to a central receiving control unit, and the
second, called the "indirect" system, works in conjunction with the
vehicle's antilock-braking (ABS) system.
Direct Systems. Wireless sensor in or on each wheel that
measures internal tire air pressure and temperature
separately and communicates the readings by RF signals
to a receiver/controller control unit at regular intervals. The
sensors have an integral low frequency transmitter and
are typically built into or mounted on the valve stem. The
end of the valve stem serves as the sensor’s antenna.
Most direct systems share the receiver control unit with
the vehicle’s keyless entry system.
Indirect Systems. Monitors rotation of tires via the
vehicle’s antilock braking system (ABS) to calculate
whether they are properly inflated. Does not measure tire
pressure or temperature. The system measures the wheel
speed of all four tires and calculates a “rolling
circumference” for each one. In the event of a tire
pressure loss, the rolling circumference of that tire is
reduced, producing a change in the tire’s rotational speed.
The NHTSA found that direct TPM systems are preferred
because they are better able to detect under- or overinflation and are quicker to provide alerts. Virtually all
vehicle manufacturers today have moved to direct
systems.
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Introduction
Schrader TPM Sensor
Vehicle manufacturers using Schrader TPM sensors:
Ford
Chrysler
GM
Infiniti
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Saab
Volvo
About Sensors
TPM sensors are micromechanical devices (a silicon-based vacuum
cell) powered by a lithium battery with a minimum life expectancy of
up to 10 years. Using their piezoresistive technology, they monitor
tire pressure via measuring the deformation of an internal
diaphragm.
They typically transmit measurement values and sensor ID data at
433 MHz (for European systems) or 315 MHz (for U.S. systems) to
the receiver control unit once per hour when the vehicle is parked
(and only if the pressure changes), to preserve battery life, and
every few seconds when the vehicle is traveling above a certain
speed (typically about 20 mph). If the tire pressure rises or falls
outside calibration limits, a warning light or message is displayed in
real time on the vehicle’s instrument panel, along with an audible
warning, to alert the driver.
Activating Sensors
To activate, or “wake up,” a TPM sensor to test its ability to sense
and transmit tire pressure and sensor ID information to the TPM
control module, you must use one of three different methods,
depending on the type/brand of sensor:
4
Introduction
Send the sensor a 125 KHz “continuous” wave command
signal ( ).
Send the sensor a 125 KHz “modulated” wave command
signal ( ).
Position the magnetic tool specified by the OEM in close
proximity to the sensor. The tool is provided with the
vehicle or is available from the OEM.
OmiDetect 50 can activate only sensors capable of being activated
with a continuous wave command signal, primarily Schrader
sensors. Many current-generation sensors can be activated using
that method.
Once a sensor is activated, OmiDetect will listen for the appropriate
response signal. If it detects a valid signal, it will provide both visual
and audible confirmation and indicate its frequency (either 315 MHz
or 434 MHz).
Note: Older generation sensors may not have the electronics
required to activate them using these methods.
Reprogramming
Each TPM sensor has a unique internal identification code. With
most current generation TPM systems, anytime you rotate a
vehicle’s tires or replace one or more TPM sensors, you must “reset”
(reprogram) the TPM system’s control module by placing it in the
“learn” mode and activating each sensor so the control module can
identify the new sensor locations. Refer to the Omitec TPM System
Quick Reference Guide provided with your OmiDetect system for
instructions on how to reset the TPM system of a specific vehicle
make and model.
IMPORTANT: If you do not reprogram the control module, it will
continue to report the correct tire pressures, but will assign
them to the wrong wheel locations.
Other Cases Where You Will Need to Reprogram the TPM Control
Module
If the vehicle’s battery or the TPM control module is disconnected or
the voltage to the TPM system drops below a certain value, the
control module will loose all its sensor ID information and will set a
5
Introduction
DTC for a TPM fault. In this case, you will need to reprogram the
control module and clear the DTC.
Figure 1. OmiDetect shown in use in testing a TPM sensor.
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