GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Learn Mode Description

The Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) System uses the antenna module, dash integration module (DIM), keyless entry transmitter, 4 radio frequency transmitting pressure sensors, and the serial data circuit to perform the sensor learn functions. The sensor learn procedure must be performed any time a sensor is replaced, or after the vehicles tires have been rotated. Once the learn mode has been enabled, each of the sensor's unique identification codes can be learned into the antenna module's memory. When a sensor's identification (ID) code has been learned, the antenna module sends a serial data message to the DIM to sound a horn chirp. This verifies the sensor has transmitted it's ID code and the antenna module has received it. As soon as the first sensor ID code is learned, all other IDs are erased from the antenna modules memory. When the last sensor's ID has been learned, the DIM sounds 2 horn chirps.

Sensor Functions using pressure increase/decrease method

Each sensor takes a pressure measurement sample once every 20 seconds while in stationary mode. If the tire pressure increases, or decreases by more than 11 kPa (1.6 psi) from the last pressure measurement, another measurement will occur immediately to verify the change in pressure. If a pressure change has indeed occurred, the sensor sends a re-measure transmission to the antenna module. When the antenna module receives a re-measure transmission while in sensor learn mode, it will assign that sensor's ID to that location on the vehicle.

Sensor Functions using J-46079

Each sensor has an internal low frequency (LF) coil. When the J-46079 TPM tool is used in activate mode it produces an LF transmission that activates the sensor. The sensor responds to an LF activation by transmitting in learn mode. When the antenna module receives a learn mode transmission while in TPM learn mode, it will assign that sensor's ID to the location on the vehicle relative to the order in which it was learned. .

Sensor Location

The antenna module must learn the sensor ID codes in the proper sequence in order to determine the sensor location.

Learn Mode Cancellation

The TPM system will cancel the learn mode if more then 2 minutes have passed and no sensors have been learned, or if the system has been in learn mode for more than 5 minutes. If the learn mode is canceled before any sensor ID is learned, the antenna module will remember all previous sensor IDs and locations.

Using the Keyless Entry Transmitter

Important: Before proceeding with the steps below, ensure that no other sensor learn procedure is being performed simultaneously, or that no tire pressures are being adjusted on another TPM equipped vehicle within close proximity.

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Apply the parking brake.
  3. Using the keyless entry transmitter, lock and unlock the vehicle doors 3 times in order to synchronize the transmitter with the antenna module.
  4. Simultaneously, press the keyless entry transmitter's lock and unlock buttons until a single horn chirp sounds indicating the learn mode has been enabled.
  5. Caution: Refer to Safety Glasses and Compressed Air Caution in the Preface section.

    Important: If a horn chirp does not sound after 35 seconds for any of the 4 sensors, turn OFF the ignition to exit the learn mode and repeat the procedure from step 1.

  6. Starting with the left front tire hold the antenna of the J-46079 TPM tool against the tire sidewall close to the wheel rim at the valve stem location then press and release the activate button and wait for a horn chirp, or increase/decrease the tire pressure for 5-8 seconds then wait for a horn chirp. The horn chirp may occur before the 5-8 second pressure increase/decrease time period has been reached, or up to 30 seconds after the 5-8 second pressure increase/decrease time period has been reached.
  7. After the horn chirp has sounded, proceed as in step 4 for the next 3 sensors in the following order:
  8. 6.1. Right front
    6.2. Right rear
    6.3. Left rear
  9. After all sensors have been learned, exit the learn mode by turning OFF the ignition.
  10. After the learn mode has been exited, adjust all tire pressures to the recommended kPa/psi. Refer to Vehicle Certification, Tire Placard, Anti-Theft, and Service Parts ID Label in General Information, or to Tire Inflation Pressure Specifications in Maintenance and Lubrication.

Using the Scan Tool

Important: Before proceeding with the steps below, ensure that no other sensor learn procedure is being performed simultaneously, or that no tire pressures are being adjusted on another TPM equipped vehicle within close proximity.

  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. With the scan tool, select Special Functions.
  4. Select Sensor Learn Mode Enable and press the ENTER key.
  5. Press the ON soft key. A single horn chirp will sound indicating the learn mode has been enabled.
  6. Caution: Refer to Safety Glasses and Compressed Air Caution in the Preface section.

    Important: If a horn chirp does not sound after 35 seconds for any of the 4 sensors, turn OFF the ignition to exit the learn mode and repeat the procedure from step 4.

  7. Starting with the left front tire, increase or decrease the pressure for 5-8 seconds, or until a horn chirp sounds. The horn chirp may occur before the 5-8 second pressure increase/decrease time period has been reached, or up to 30 seconds after the 5-8 second pressure increase/decrease time period has been reached.
  8. After the horn chirp has sounded, proceed as in step 6 for the next 3 sensors in the following order:
  9. 7.1. Right front
    7.2. Right rear
    7.3. Left rear
  10. After all sensor IDs have been learned, exit the learn mode by turning OFF the ignition.
  11. After the learn mode has been exited, adjust all tire pressures to the recommended kPa/psi. Refer to Vehicle Certification, Tire Placard, Anti-Theft, and Service Parts ID Label in General Information, or to Tire Inflation Pressure Specifications in Maintenance and Lubrication.