2011 BMW 128i

ecompany07 · 05-11-2015, 02:51 PM

Hello Addicts,

My 128i has been giving me the INACTIVE warning message for a couple of weeks now. I replaced on sensor which I thought it was bad, but still the Inactive warning is ON. My question is, have somebody ever had to deal with this before?

The system goes inactive when either one of the sensors is bad, it will stop working completely? Is that correct?

I do not want to think the transmitter is bad... That might cost me more...

Thank you,
Edgardo

krando67 · 11-02-2015, 10:15 AM

Hi Edguardo,

My car had the same issue when I bought it where TPMS would say INACTIVE and the light would just stay on. I just wanted to inform you in case you didn't know that the TPMS system used on our cars is overly complicated in my opinion.

There are 4 sensors in each wheel which have their own battery. Then there are 4 transmitters in each wheel well, a receiver in the trunk and a TPMS module.

There are tools used to check the battery on the sensors in the wheels. Most auto shops in the US will check them for free. If those are all fine, then the issue is one of the other parts of the system.

What I did to fix mine was to change the software in order to tell the car it doesn't have a TPMS system so it would stop bugging me. Now I just check my tire pressure once a week.

Good luck and hope it isn't one of the more expensive parts.

Dackelone · 11-02-2015, 10:40 AM

Perhaps the TPMS sensor you bought was the wrong freq? In 2011 the sensors changed frequency/type.

Ankur194 · 11-05-2015, 11:14 PM

I had this happen as well, car under CPO, they changed the sensors at first too but the problem came back. Ultimately it was the transmitter. I'm a 2011 as well.

05-11-2015, 02:51 PM	#1
ecompany07 Enlisted Member 8 Rep 48 Posts Drives: Fast Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: PR iTrader: (0)	2011 BMW 128i - INACTIVE Hello Addicts, My 128i has been giving me the INACTIVE warning message for a couple of weeks now. I replaced on sensor which I thought it was bad, but still the Inactive warning is ON. My question is, have somebody ever had to deal with this before? The system goes inactive when either one of the sensors is bad, it will stop working completely? Is that correct? I do not want to think the transmitter is bad... That might cost me more... Thank you, Edgardo
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

11-02-2015, 10:15 AM	#2
krando67 New Member 5 Rep 9 Posts Drives: '10 128i N51 Black Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Norfolk, VA iTrader: (0)	Hi Edguardo, My car had the same issue when I bought it where TPMS would say INACTIVE and the light would just stay on. I just wanted to inform you in case you didn't know that the TPMS system used on our cars is overly complicated in my opinion. There are 4 sensors in each wheel which have their own battery. Then there are 4 transmitters in each wheel well, a receiver in the trunk and a TPMS module. There are tools used to check the battery on the sensors in the wheels. Most auto shops in the US will check them for free. If those are all fine, then the issue is one of the other parts of the system. What I did to fix mine was to change the software in order to tell the car it doesn't have a TPMS system so it would stop bugging me. Now I just check my tire pressure once a week. Good luck and hope it isn't one of the more expensive parts.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-02-2015, 10:40 AM	#3
Dackelone European Editor 10528 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	Perhaps the TPMS sensor you bought was the wrong freq? In 2011 the sensors changed frequency/type. __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-05-2015, 11:14 PM	#4
Ankur194 Private First Class 8 Rep 111 Posts Drives: One Two Eight Vert Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Menifee iTrader: (0)	I had this happen as well, car under CPO, they changed the sensors at first too but the problem came back. Ultimately it was the transmitter. I'm a 2011 as well.
	Appreciate 0 Quote