Universal Mustang TPMS Sensor Kit Installation Guide

The below installation instructions work for the following products:

• Mounting Band and Bracket Kits for Ford Mustang Tire Pressure Monitoring System Sensor

Here at American Muscle, we're all about DIY (do it yourself). Of course, there's nothing wrong with seeking out a little bit of tech help prior to taking on an installation on your own. Our Mustang installation guides will provide valuable instructions and hopefully answer any how-to questions that you may have along the way.

(Right Click, Save Target As)

The purpose of this kit is to allow the reuse of your wheel mounted TPMS sensors in aftermarket or replacement wheels. On your 2007+ Mustang, you must retain your TPMS sensors to avoid the “Tire Pressure Monitor Fault” error upon every start and the random flashing “flat tire” bulb while driving. In this guide, the kit will be used to install TPMS sensors in Ford accessory wheel; however, the install is essentially the same on any aftermarket wheel.

Please note that the sensors must be kept in the same exact locations on the car that they came from, i.e. the sensor from the driver side front wheel needs to be install back onto the driver side front, etc.

Tools required:

• Flat blade screw driver

Optional (but recommended):

• Side cutters
• Surface prep chemical (rubbing alcohol, brake clean, etc) and rag
• 8mm socket w/ratchet wrench

The job can be completed with only a flat blade screw driver; however a superior install can be achieved through the use of the additional tools listed above. Side cutters will be used to trim the excess from the bands (optional) to prevent unwanted slapping or rattle noise at low speeds when inertial force is not sufficient to control band end. Alternatively, you could devise another method to secure the bands without cutting them. You might want to do this if you plan to later upgrade to larger diameter wheels and want to reuse the bands. Also, it is a good idea to prep the surface of your wheels (even if new) where you will affix the double sided tape for the sensor cradle. The task can be considerably sped up by using an 8mm socket to drive the worm clamp on the bands, but can be completed with the flat blade screw driver if you so choose.

Time Required:
Approximately 8-10 minutes per wheel, non including time required to retrieve sensors from stock wheels.  

Fig. 1 - Kit Contents when purchased for four wheels

Installation:

1. You must remove the TPMS sensors that are mounted inside of your stock wheels. This requires going to a tire shop and having your tires removed. The sensor is located inside of the tire, banded to the wheel. It is a good idea to remind the tech removing the tires that you do have a band mounted TPMS sensor in the wheel so that they will be cautious of it so as to not damage it when removing the tire. Once the tire is separated from the wheel, the sensors are easily removed by squeezing the ends of the brown stopper together and then carefully prying the metal tab outward with a small flat blade screwdriver and swinging the sensor upward on the hinged tabs. Take note of how the sensor is oriented. You must mount the sensor the same way in the new wheel, keeping the same edge parallel to the outer face of wheel. No problem if you forget to check, as the sensor is marked.
   
   
2. The sensor will be mounted on the new wheel in the same orientation as removed from the old wheel. You should position the new sensor 180 degrees from the valve stem. The new (supplied) cradle will be affixed to the wheel with the (supplied) 3M double-sided adhesive tape. I chose to prep the location where the sensor would be mounted by wiping the area clean with rubbing alcohol and a clean rag. You want the area to be clean and dry for best adhesion of the cradle mount. It is important to install the cradle to allow the sensor to be mounted with the proper side toward the outside edge of wheel. See sensor to make sure. Remove tape and mount cradle.
   
   Note: for my installation, I chose to cut the “tab” off of the side of each sensor cradle. I did this so that cradle would fit the contour of my wheels. This is probably not necessary for all wheels, but I felt it was justified for my application.
   
   
3. Thread the band through the installed cradle. Tighten the band, with the clamp end positioned near the valve stem (180 degrees from the sensor). After tightened I chose to trim the excess. If you do not trim the excess I would suggest restraining the loose end of the band to avoid unwanted noise when the vehicle is in use at low speeds, such as coming to a stop. In Figure 2 below, take note of the position of the clamp end relative the valve stem (black circle). Note: picture taken before I trimmed the excess from the band.
   
   

   
   Fig. 2 - Band Installed

4. Snap the sensor in place. Hooked end installed first, then lower the sensor to snap firmly in place. See figure 3 below.





Fig. 3 - Sensor installed

5. TPMS install is now complete and you are ready to have your tires mounted and balanced. Congratulations!

Installation instructions provided by AmericanMuscle customer Daniel McCartan