My 2010 R56 started showing the error: "Tire Pressure Monitoring System is Inactive." I took the car to a local garage that used a hand-held device to check the the wheel sensors, and all 4 were reporting low batteries. Apparently, it is not uncommon for the wheel sensor batteries to be low on a 12-year-old car.

But after installing new OEM sensors in all 4 wheels, the shop is having trouble getting them to work. After a brief phone conversation at quitting time on Friday, I am not sure what the exact problem is, but it sounds like the car can't communicate with the new sensors. The shop is modern and well equipped, but not a dealer. They have a reputation for quality, and they have done good work for me before (at premium prices). I will find out more on Monday, and I am trying to understand more about how the system works before then. Any help with the following question will be appreciated:

Should any modern shop be able to read the codes needed to troubleshoot this, or does it require a proprietary code reader found only at a MINI / BMW dealer?

If there is a problem with the signal receivers in the wheel wells, or the TPM control module, or the central TPM antenna in the rear bumper -- will there be codes stored which can pinpoint the faulty part?

If I understand corectly, each wheel sensor is in radio communication with a receiving unit in each wheel well. So what is function of the antenna in the rear bumper?

Why does the procedure for Reset of the TPMS require that the car be driven? I can understand why that was necessary with the previous ABS-based system, but for the direct reading sensors?

If installing new OEM wheel sensors, is "reprograming" the car's computer necessary? (I don't mean simply resetting the TPMS, but something more involved?)

Thank you,
-gw

 

The new sensors do not need programmed to the car. Once you hit the TPMS reset on the stalk it takes about 1/4 mile of driving for the car to recognize them and the TPMS light to go out. My car was giving a TPMS "inactive" a while back. A scanner that can read BMW/MINI codes pointed to the antenna as the problem. When I took a look at the antenna, water/salt had penetrated the glued seam on it and the circuit board inside was corroded. I replaced it with a used one I found on ebay and that solved the problem.

 

Scott13, thanks so much for your reply. On Monday, I will ask if they have driven it since replacing the sensors.

When you say your antenna was the problem, do you mean the one in the rear bumper, or was it one of the receiving units in a wheel well?

 

In my clubman, the antenna was behind the rear passenger wheel well under a plastic shield. It's about 5" x 1" x 1". There is a plug on one end that unclips easily with a small screwdriver. I think the antenna in an r56 is somewhere behind the rear bumper and should be similar.
Not one of the receiving units at each wheel. They're about 4" x 4" x 3/4". A MINI/BMW scan-tool should be able to point to the problem area
It is a bit convoluted but the TPM sensor in the tire communicates to the receivers at each wheel-well, then they talk to the antenna which then passes the info on to the control module.
Not like the old days when you walked around the car and noticed if any tires seemed a bit flat.

 

1/4 mile or more. Reset the TPMS in my 2023 MINI S and it took several miles of driving before the reset was complete.

 

Did you replace the antenna yourself, or was it done in a shop? The reason I ask is, I wonder if the Reset process is even possible if the antenna is not working. That is, if I navigate to the screen where I start the Reset for the TPMS, does it look the same whether the antenna is working or not? You may not know if the work was done in a shop.

The way they described it, I got the impression my local repair shop was not able to find any codes, but was not able successfully reset the TPMS after the new wheel sensors were installed. If they want to start replacing parts without any codes to tell them what is at fault -- should I take it to the BMW dealer under the assumption they might be able to read codes which my local shop cannot?

I don't know anything about these code scanners. I am guessing my local shop is using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment -- but they probably don't have BMW-specific tools(?) Does anybody know if it matters?

 

OK I talked to the repair shop today. Their OBD2 scanner is indicating a communication problem with "RDC Module" (aka "Tire pressure control unit"?). Problem is, they cannot find the RDC Module.

Does anyone know where the RDC Module / TPMS Control Module is located on a 2010 R56 base model hatchback?

tl;dr
Some parts sellers are showing a "TPMS Antenna" in use up until 8/2009 as fitting my 2010 R56 Hatchback. That pn is 36-23-6-771-043-BOE and it costs about $100, US. But also shown is a part that looks exactly the same, but which is called "TPMS Control Unit" That part went into use in 9/2009, pn 36-10-6-868-194-BOE and it sells for $350-380 US. Obviously, my car with a production date of 07/10 needs the latter one.

Not sure, but it looks like the location of the RDC/Control unit may have changed, too?

I have a Bentley's Manual but I believe it is showing the location for the older "TPMS Antenna" which apparently was a separate part from the older TPMS control unit?

 

If the screen says "inactive", then the TPM sensors will not reset. There is a different problem then, either a sender, antenna or control module. I did replace the antenna myself, and after I did, the TPMS showed "active" and they could be reset.
You'll need to find a MINI specialist shop that can read the codes. Most generic scan tools will not read BMW/MINI codes involving TPMS and other minor things.
I think my RDC unit in the clubman is inside the trunk area under the driver's side covering. I saw that in diagrams but never had to dig for it since the antenna was the problem.

 

Thanks to all who replied. The repair shop finally found my "TPMS Control Unit" (aka "RDC Control") for my 2010 R56 Hatchback (Base model). Mine is embedded in the foam of the rear bumper. Access requires removing the exterior plastic bumper cover. According to the repair shop SOME (early) 2010 model MINIs are shown as having a completely different location, but apparently my late 2010 model (production date 7-2010) ihas the control unit located more like a 2011 JCW.

Anyway, they found my control module in the rear bumper, they tested it, and it checked out as OK. They also found the wires that feed my TPMS Control Module had been chewed through by rodents! After they repaired the wiring, they were able to "relearn" the TPMS and now everything is working normally. Fortunately, they stuck to their original cost estimate and did not try to charge me by the hour!

scott13 - I believe MINIs prior to about August-September 2009 may have had both an "antenna" and a "control unit" - possibly in different locations(?) Starting in Sept 2009, I believe these two parts may have been combined into one "TPMS Control Unit"(?) The weird thing is, the old "antenna" and the new "control unit" are pictured as looking exactly the same (although they are priced quite differently, as mentioned in post #7).