Experiencing problems with your 2012 Silverado’s key fob and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) can be frustrating. Many Silverado owners find themselves puzzled when their TPMS light comes on, or their key fob stops working correctly. Sometimes, dealerships struggle to pinpoint the exact cause, leading to further confusion. If you’re facing similar issues with your 2012 Silverado, understanding the relationship (or lack thereof) between your key fob and TPMS is the first step to finding a solution.
It’s a common misconception that your 2012 Silverado Key Fob directly activates the TPMS learn mode. Unlike some other vehicles, the key fob on this generation of Silverado doesn’t initiate the tire pressure sensor relearn process. So, if you’re trying to reset your TPMS by solely using your key fob, you might be going down the wrong path.
To correctly activate the TPMS learn mode on your 2012 Silverado, follow these steps:
- Turn the Ignition ON: Ensure your Silverado’s ignition is in the “ON” position, but do not start the engine.
- Engage the Parking Brake: Firmly set the parking brake. The parking brake light should be illuminated on your dashboard.
- Headlight Switch Maneuver: Locate your headlight switch. Within 3-5 seconds, rapidly turn the headlight switch to the PARK lamp position four times in a row.
- Confirmation Horn: If you’ve performed the steps correctly, your Silverado’s horn will chirp twice. This double horn chirp indicates that your vehicle has entered TPMS learn mode.
Once your Silverado is in TPMS learn mode, you’ll need a TPMS relearn tool to activate each tire pressure sensor. A popular and affordable option is the EL-50448 tool, readily available online.
Here’s how to use the relearn tool:
- Start with the Left Front (LF) Tire: Begin at the left front tire. Hold the TPMS relearn tool against the tire sidewall, near the valve stem, and activate the sensor according to the tool’s instructions.
- Horn Confirmation: When the sensor is successfully learned by your Silverado, the horn will chirp once.
- Proceed Clockwise: Continue to the remaining tires in a clockwise direction: Right Front (RF), Right Rear (RR), and finally Left Rear (LR). Activate each sensor with the relearn tool.
- Learning Completion: After successfully learning the Left Rear (LR) sensor, you will hear one final horn chirp followed by a double horn chirp. This confirms that the TPMS learning process is complete.
While your 2012 Silverado key fob isn’t directly involved in TPMS reset, it’s important to note that both the keyless entry system and the TPMS are managed by the Body Control Module (BCM). The BCM acts as the central receiver for both your key fob signals and the TPMS sensor data.
If you’re experiencing issues with both your key fob and TPMS, and your tire pressure light or “Service TPM” message is displayed, consider these points:
- Key Fob Battery: A weak key fob battery can cause intermittent or complete failure of your key fob. Try replacing the battery in your 2012 Silverado key fob as a first step.
- Key Fob Circuit Board: Sometimes, cleaning the key fob’s circuit board can resolve connectivity issues. Use a cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol to gently clean the circuit board, as demonstrated in many online videos.
- BCM Antenna: If you suspect a more significant issue, the antenna within the BCM that receives signals from both the key fobs and TPMS sensors could be malfunctioning. However, diagnosing this often requires professional equipment.
By understanding the correct TPMS reset procedure and the role of your 2012 Silverado key fob, you can effectively troubleshoot common issues. If the TPMS learn mode activates successfully using the steps outlined and a relearn tool, and your sensors are learned, it indicates that the BCM antenna is likely functioning correctly for both TPMS and key fob signal reception. If problems persist, seeking professional diagnosis may be necessary to address potential BCM or sensor malfunctions.
