Scan tool ate my TPMS
 

The dealer was re-mounting my tire (after they forgot a chunk of rubber in it) and re-programming the tire pressure system, when the service manager came out holding my obd2 Bluetooth adapter. Said every time they plug it in, the flat-tire light comes on. So for about an hour, there are a half-dozen guys hovering around my car & the service manager says the TPMS module is dead, and he thinks my scan tool broke it but can't prove it. They ordered me a new one & installed it, but is that possible? I was wondering if there was a pin dedicated to the tire pressure system, and if so, then I guess it's feasible that the scan tool might have tried to talk on that pin when testing for the right protocol. So... I decided to avoid the problem. I made an extension cable that just carries pins 4, 5, 6, 14 & 16 (two grounds, canbus high & low, plus power)

http://www.ls1m.com/demo/obd2ext.jpg


So far so good. And at least I can see the lights on the BT without standing on my head :)


btw, I have part numbers if anyone is interested
Red shell: Delphi 12110252
Retaining clip: Delphi 12110254
Cap: CaPlugs VRF-500x1250-16
Male pins: Delphi 12047581
Female pins: Delphi 12129373-L
Black (female) connector: Delphi 12110250
Cable was a euthanized cat5

It happened again. I bought an Android tablet and a holder, put it in the car this morning. Went to start up after work and 3 or 4 lights were on - ABS, traction, engine - and the a/c wouldn't get cold. Turned the car off, unplugged the BT adapter, started it back up & everything is fine. Cleared the code with Torque - said something about network failure. Sounds like the BT adapter is messing up the CAN bus.


Anybody else ever seen this happen??

I've seen something like this before, but not this specifically. Sucks. Got warranty on the adapter?

Yes. You think the adapter is bad?

Well, if it doesn't seem to actually cause permanent damage, try it on another car for a bit? (loan it to someone or something?) Who knows exactly what's up with it, possibly nothing. But, I can say that I've seen odder things over the years working with electronics and computers. I've seen a monitor that worked everywhere but an electrician's home, peripherals or hardware that, when plugged in, caused random stupid-ness or outright failures (even brand-new stuff!)

Otherwise, reach out to the company and inquire. It looks like it's not a cheap knock-off so hopefully they're actually responsive and whatnot.

C