Blocking Your TPMS Light

[DarrenDriven]

Blocking Your TPMS Light

OK, you swapped wheels and you didn't swap in your TPMS sensors. This means that you experienced several minutes of glee when your TPMS light didn't illuminate, but then it started flashing in your face. While there may be some fancy technical way to disable the system, I chose to take the shade-tree mechanic route and just block the light. Here is how I did it.

CLARIFICATION: Removing your TPMS sensors from the car will NOT affect the traction control system. You can still disable traction control no matter what. Also, the TPMS sensors need movement to activate, so sealing them in a canister in your trunk (or inside your spare tire) will not work because they won't be rotating.



Start by removing the single Phillips screw that is above your tach.



Now you can lift the front edge of the cluster cover while also pulling forward. I placed my palm near the back of the cover while pulling forward, and simultaneously lifted the front edge up.



Now you have revealed two more screws that have to come out. These fasten the instrument cluster to the dashboard.



Now over to the left side of the dash. Use your finger to pry the lower part of the cover out toward you.



The cover will just pop off.



Now remove the Phillips screw that is near the bottom area revealed when you removed the cover.



Just above your gas pedal is another Phillips screw that needs to come out.



The lower dash cover will pop out now. Disconnect any plugs. I like to use a small flat-tipped screwdriver to push in the tab, then twist to force the plug out of the socket. NEVER pull on the wires to get the plug out.



With the lower cover off, you need to pry the radio surround out a little. You don't need to remove the entire piece, just get it off enough to slip the cluster surround out from beneath it.



You have to firmly pull the top left and right corners of the cluster surround out of the clips. I pried pretty hard and it finally came out without breaking. (whew)



Now you should be able to remove the cluster. Oops, did we forget something?



Don't forget to unplug the cluster! Not too hard.



We need to get to the cluster dial face, so lets split this sucker open. There are six plastic tabs around the cluster that we need to loosen. Start with these two on the top.



Then hit the two on the sides, and lastly the two on the bottom. Use a small flat-tipped screwdriver and LIGHTLY pry the black plastic tab up. Don't go crazy or you could snap it off!



After attempting to remove the needles to get the cluster face off, I realized I didn't have the skills, so I just gently pried the lower speedometer face away to reveal the light cavity for the TPMS.



I used some black electrical tape that I folded over on itself several times. I cut it roughly to the same dimensions as the light cavity, only slightly larger.



Finally, I used some long needlenose pliers (or tweezers would work) to slide my black tape piece into the cavity. Follow the instructions in reverse to reinstall everything.


It worked perfectly! The light is now hidden from my view and I will never be annoyed by it again!

[MRZ415]

I wonder wont it be easier to disable TMPS via software ?
on my VW for example I used VCDS and disabled TMPS sensors,
so I can only imagine something similar can be done on Subarus ?

[blalor]

Mods, please sticky this!

[Dave-ROR]

No need for a sticky it's in the directly which is already a sticky.

Darren, can the white housing be separated? If so you can just remove the bulb which would be cleaner IMO.

[neutron256]

Excellent write up. Althought I think I'll just be living Witt the light or buying the sensors.

[russv]

Way too much work for outcome.

[DarrenDriven]

I tried to separate the gauge cluster to remove the light, but to do that you need to pull all the needles, pull the dial face off and access the screws underneath it. I gently tugged on one needle to see if it would come off easily and it didn't. I feared that I would damage the cluster by removing the needles, so I went this route instead.

russv: wait until you have that yellow light flashing in your face for a few days and then see if this ten minutes of work is worth it! I think you'll change your mind.

[Zaneman]

The last time I pulled off my needles I used 2 plastic spoons... Just a thought for the next person that tries this.

[MTeator]

bravo for the effort and documenting that. But holy crap I'm not that brave with taking apart my dash

[Chenslee]

meh.

[yayforaddison]

Or just get sensors put in your new wheels. Much easier

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by Chenslee

meh.

Too bad that won't work. The sensors need to be awake which requires motion, not pressure. This isn't a Toyota Tundra

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by yayforaddison

Or just get sensors put in your new wheels. Much easier

Yes.. and $400 from Tire Rack plus dealership charge to reprogram them since the ATEQ tools and such don't work yet.

I've been driving on mine since yesterday and the light still hasn't come on, I guess my driving has all been under the threshold for the system to complain, but still, I've driven with CELs for years so the little fishbowl light isn't going to bother me

[DarrenDriven]

The mod only took about 10 minutes, was like five screws and is completely reversible. I'm not sure why people are freaking out about it!