Blocking Your TPMS Light

OK, you swapped wheels and you didn't swap in your TPMS sensors. This means that you experienced several minutes of glee when your TPMS light didn't illuminate, but then it started flashing in your face. While there may be some fancy technical way to disable the system, I chose to take the shade-tree mechanic route and just block the light. Here is how I did it.

CLARIFICATION: Removing your TPMS sensors from the car will NOT affect the traction control system. You can still disable traction control no matter what. Also, the TPMS sensors need movement to activate, so sealing them in a canister in your trunk (or inside your spare tire) will not work because they won't be rotating.



Start by removing the single Phillips screw that is above your tach.



Now you can lift the front edge of the cluster cover while also pulling forward. I placed my palm near the back of the cover while pulling forward, and simultaneously lifted the front edge up.



Now you have revealed two more screws that have to come out. These fasten the instrument cluster to the dashboard.



Now over to the left side of the dash. Use your finger to pry the lower part of the cover out toward you.



The cover will just pop off.



Now remove the Phillips screw that is near the bottom area revealed when you removed the cover.



Just above your gas pedal is another Phillips screw that needs to come out.



The lower dash cover will pop out now. Disconnect any plugs. I like to use a small flat-tipped screwdriver to push in the tab, then twist to force the plug out of the socket. NEVER pull on the wires to get the plug out.




With the lower cover off, you need to pry the radio surround out a little. You don't need to remove the entire piece, just get it off enough to slip the cluster surround out from beneath it.



You have to firmly pull the top left and right corners of the cluster surround out of the clips. I pried pretty hard and it finally came out without breaking. (whew)



Now you should be able to remove the cluster. Oops, did we forget something?



Don't forget to unplug the cluster! Not too hard.



We need to get to the cluster dial face, so lets split this sucker open. There are six plastic tabs around the cluster that we need to loosen. Start with these two on the top.



Then hit the two on the sides, and lastly the two on the bottom. Use a small flat-tipped screwdriver and LIGHTLY pry the black plastic tab up. Don't go crazy or you could snap it off!



After attempting to remove the needles to get the cluster face off, I realized I didn't have the skills, so I just gently pried the lower speedometer face away to reveal the light cavity for the TPMS.



I used some black electrical tape that I folded over on itself several times. I cut it roughly to the same dimensions as the light cavity, only slightly larger.



Finally, I used some long needlenose pliers (or tweezers would work) to slide my black tape piece into the cavity. Follow the instructions in reverse to reinstall everything.


It worked perfectly! The light is now hidden from my view and I will never be annoyed by it again!