2009 e93 BMW 335i TPMS Tire Pressure Monitor Receiver Replace Tip

[matreyia]

2009 e93 335i Convertible

Here are tips and notes on replacing the tire pressure monitor sensor receiver antenna (popsicle stick device) for my particular make and model. The location of this module is in different places depending on make and model.

LOCATION OF DEVICE:
Front driver side under floor board behind underbelly splash shielding.

PROCEDURE:
Remove underbelly left side and disconnect wire and replace module, clips on and off easily. Make sure clips hold snuggly when installing.

NOTES:
No need to disconnect battery.
Coding NOT necessary for this year and model.

*Follow jackstand safety protocols and use common sense. Do not attempt under a jack without proper jackstands and backup mechanisms in case anything fails.

See photo for reference:
Top module is new, bottom module is old.

2009 BMW E93 335I (convertible)

 

[doublespaces]

What is your build date? My TPM receivers are square boxes and they are connected to the fender liners right by the fog lights unless this is something different than what I'm thinking.

 

[matreyia]

What is your build date? My TPM receivers are square boxes and they are connected to the fender liners right by the fog lights unless this is something different than what I'm thinking.

There are 4 receiver/transmitters and one receiver RDC popsicle stick device and 4 sensor transmitters. Each wheel/tire, each wheel well, and the popsicle stick is under the driver floor board.

 

[doublespaces]

Gotcha, what does the popsicle thing do?

 

[matreyia]

Gotcha, what does the popsicle thing do?

The popsicle receives the transmission from the four squares at each wheel well fender lining. The four squares receive transmission from the 4 sensors inside each tire.

 

[doublespaces]

The popsicle receives the transmission from the four squares at each wheel well fender lining. The four squares receive transmission from the 4 sensors inside each tire.

So why are the four squares wired up if they communicate wirelessly?

 

[matreyia]

So why are the four squares wired up if they communicate wirelessly?

The 4 squares are hardwired to the car system connected to the popsicle. The only wireless thing that happens is the transmission of the pressure sensors inside each tire to the 4 squares. Once there, the squares send the signal via wire to the popsicle stick.

 

[doublespaces]

I see, so the Popsicle stick is like the TPMS hub/router.

 

[NoQuarter]

I am pretty sure the communication is wireless between the sensors in the wheel wells to the Popsicle stick as well. That is why it is an antenna/receiver on 433Mhz after-all. It is also fairly centrally located in relation to the wheels.

 

[matreyia]

I am pretty sure the communication is wireless between the sensors in the wheel wells to the Popsicle stick as well. That is why it is an antenna/receiver on 433Mhz after-all. It is also fairly centrally located in relation to the wheels.

Could be. I just assumed that the popsicle stick used the wires directly with the squares since there are wires connecting it to the ecu. Doesn't make sense otherwise unless wires are only for power supply. Who knows.

 

[NoQuarter]

Those wires connect to the RDC control unit in the trunk. The RDC asks the wheel modules to take a measurement (over the wires). The measurement data is sent wirelessly to the popsicle/antenna which converts it all and sends to the RDC module.

Not sure why they send the data wirelessly when they are already connected to the RDC module.