Petra Martinez Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 I've had the vehicle for one week and today my low tire indicator light came on. I went outside and checked all the tires. The day I was taking the vehicle off the lot and purchased it which was a week ago I was told that all the tires we're checked for correct pressure. So what my indicator light came on I was a little concerned it's only been a week. I took my tire pressure indicator and found that the front driver side tire was 52, front passenger tire was 42 pressure, the back passenger tire was 22. And I tried to check the back driver side tire but I could not unscrew the cap. So I decided to drive the truck the oil change place that I usually go to. I explained to him that I couldn't get the cap off the back driver side tire and asked if they could assist me and of course they did. He also tried to take the cap off and it would not come off so he went and got pliers and when he pulled it off the stem came off and the tire went flat on the air came out. Luckily they were able to put a new staff in there and it only cost me $18. But my issue is why were all the tires pressure completely off. I was told that these metal stems do this often and I shouldn't ask them to replace them with plastic stems. Also also the metal screw part broke off which was not the faults of them. You could tell it was already corroded and I bet the other ones are too. I did purchase the extended 3 year warranty bumper to bumper. So should all this be covered under the warranty? But even if I didn't have a warranty I've only had the car a week all these repairs should be done free of charge or am I wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petra Martinez Posted July 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 This is a piece that broke what they were trying to replace the stem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petra Martinez Posted July 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 Here is a pic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bramfrank Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 (edited) The older metal sensors required that you use the original metal caps and internal Schrader valve assemblies - you COULD use anti-seize to reduce corrosion - those are the same ones that my old 2002 LHS used - and I ran those in Montreal's salty winter environment without ever suffering corrosion. In fact in the LHS they were extremely accurate because the car had a TPMS system that reads out each wheel (including the spare) individually in 1/8 psi steps - the newer Journey's system reads in 1 psi steps. But, if you just bought the vehicle and if it really came with a 3 year bumper-to-bumper warranty I see no reason why they shouldn't replace the sender with a new one - and correct any issues with the remaining ones. But you have the documentation. We don't. So see if there are any exclusions. You should have 36 psi in each wheel - tire pressure should be set with the tires 'cold' (at the local ambient temperature and not having been run or exposed to direct sunlight). Note that lots of pressure gauges are pretty wonky. Having a good one that is accurate should be one of your priorities. Your tires will thank you. If you measured something different, then blame the dealer that sold you the vehicle. Edited July 25, 2015 by bramfrank rolly 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petra Martinez Posted July 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 When I bought the vehicle it didn't even have any caps at all except on the one which happens to be the one where the stem came out with it. So are you suggesting I go and buy metal caps instead of these plastic black ones? I didn't know that they made metal ones but I will definitely buy them if they're available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfurth Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 The TPMS sensors with integrated valve stems Chrysler used on MANY vehicles in 2009/2010 are terrible. They are cheap aluminum, they will corrode, and they will break. Even better - the OEM sensors have no means of removing the valve stem. You have to go aftermarket if you want the ability to just replace the stem while keeping the sensor. http://www.amazon.com/Dorman-974-061-Chrysler-Pressure-Transmitter/dp/B004AITV9Y/ref=au_as_r?_encoding=UTF8&Make=Dodge%7C40&Model=Journey%7C6800&Year=2010%7C2010&ie=UTF8&n=15684181&newVehicle=1&s=automotive&vehicleId=3&vehicleType=automotive - this may work, but you should always check the part manufacturer for vehicle fit before buying something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petra Martinez Posted July 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 I wanted to make a correctio. it did not come with a three year warranty. I'm actually paying for 3 year warranty that I purchased when I purchased the vehicle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfurth Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 (edited) NO!!!!!! Don't use metal caps!!! That will increase the speed at which those stems will corrode! It's called galvanic corrosion. The 2009/2010 valve stems can use the cheap plastic caps that would also fit on any bicycle tire. Edit: To be more accurate - there are 4 pieces to that valve stem/pressure sensor. There is the pressure sensor and integrated valve stem (the part containing the transmitter and batter, and the aluminum valve stem that comes out of it - yours broke about 5/8 of an inch from the tip), the valve core (the pin which actually seals the valve when pressurized aire is behind it (ie, inside the tire), the valve stem nut (yours ripped open down the side) which is used to secure the valve stem/sensor to the wheel, and the valve stem cap (should be plastic, keeps gunk out of the opening of the valve stem you would use to add or remove air). You COULD use an aluminum cap, but plastic is fine. Edited July 24, 2015 by bfurth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petra Martinez Posted July 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 The cheap plastic one is the one that was used and the stem came out with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfurth Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 (edited) Because the valve itself was already corroded and weak. I have a 2010 Town and Country* that had the same problem. 3 out of the 4 valve stems broke within a month of me buying it used in 2011. *The Town and Country/Grand Caravan and Journey share a LOT of parts. This is one of them. Edited July 24, 2015 by bfurth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petra Martinez Posted July 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 So to avoid this from happening on the other tires what should I ask the dealership to replace? I have an appointment they haven't looked at this coming Thursday. So any suggestions to help would be greatly appreciated. I don't know exactly what to ask them besides for them to look at the others to make sure they're not corroded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bramfrank Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 (edited) No, they do NOT corrode if you use the caps that come with the vehicle they are made of the same metal as the stem and the nut. There is even a warning in the LHS manual about that (can't speak for the 2010 Journey). But that picture shows the nut that holds the valve assembly in place has being cracked and the stem is corroded. I suspect the caps were not the originals.To prevent this sort of thing you can have the nuts removes and coat the threads with anti-seize. Edited July 24, 2015 by bramfrank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petra Martinez Posted July 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 Here's a picture of the plastic cap when removed the stem came off and the tire deflated. How do I avoid this from happening again or the other tires. What exactly needs to be done or replaced. I wanna be ready to tell them what I want done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petra Martinez Posted July 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 When I purchase the vehicle a week ago it did not come with any caps except one of the tires which is the one that the stem came off of today. I did not notice there was no caps until a day later when I brought the vehicle home. I didn't think much of it so I went to the store and just purchased the black plastic caps. And today my tire pressure indicator light came on which is why I took the car to the oil change place to help me unscrew the cap on the one tire that it did have a cap that I couldn't get off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petra Martinez Posted July 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 So I guess when I go in on Thursday I'm going to have to ask them to order the original caps because it did not come with any except one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfurth Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 Chrysler part 68078768AA http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHRYSLER-JEEP-DODGE-TPMS-TIRE-PRESSURE-SENSOR-VALVE-STEM-MOPAR-OEM-68078768AA-/330635394618 That is a plastic cap, exactly as it comes shipped from Chrysler's supplier. A Chrysler dealership replaced 3 of mine, and the 4th I paid a shop for, and they ordered from a Chrysler dealership. The stock part is plastic. What you can do to avoid it is to stop driving a vehicle that has ever been in the US rust belt. And move south of it yourself. Bramfrank - you are correct, if the valve caps are aluminum, then it shouldn't corrode any faster than the valve stem itself. If it was any other metal, there is a chance of corrosion to one part or the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petra Martinez Posted July 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 Okay so I should ask them to order the original caps and to remove the nuts and coat the threads with anti-seize is that correct? Everything else you guys would suggest? Thank you very much everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petra Martinez Posted July 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 This is what I have on my list first I want them to order the original caps that came with this vehicle, I'm also going to ask them to remove the nuts and coat the threads with anti seize and ask them to look at all the valves and replace any that are corroded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfurth Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 You're within 1 week of purchasing a used vehicle, so it depends on how much that dealership wants to do business with you in the future. I would ask for replacement TPMS modules on the remaining 3 wheels - ESPECIALLY if they show signs of corrosion. Before you go, GENTLY clean them with automotive soap and water and a soft cloth (don't use anything more abbrasive than a hand towel). If they appear black after that, that is a sign of possible corrosion. A replacement TPMS will have all the necessary parts. The next time you get tires, make sure the shop doing the replacement rebuilds the valve cores correctly. There is a specific kit for the aluminum stems. If they use the wrong metal, it will corrode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhh3 Posted July 25, 2015 Report Share Posted July 25, 2015 (edited) On ebay, there is a set of plastic chrome valve stem covers with the Mopar M on the top. Everywhere I go, people ask me where I got them. Put plastic caps on all of your stems and you will solve this problem. This problem has been going on ever since Mopar has installed TPMS..I had this problem on my 2003 Liberty Renegade and my 2006 Commander; it has gone back that far. You can only use plastic valve stem covers. Edited July 25, 2015 by dhh3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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