You're most welcome!

As I recall, I purchased the sway bar links from Autoparts123.com. As I mentioned, just make sure the ones you get are equipped with grease fittings.

Trust me, I DO understand your motivation to have the STSS message looked at by the dealer. I'd be interested in learning if they have a magic wand that can make it disappear. I'll prepare you for that visit by offering one piece of info. on that before you go. The wheel sensors have batteries that are non-replacable and are integrated into the valve stem. Collective wisdom seems to dictate that they are only good for about five years, so you can expect them to want to replace all four before they try to clear the message. The part cost is about $65 apiece from a dealer, so expect it to cost about $100 per corner installed, and then tack on the $60 or so for diagnostic cost. What a racket!

Enough ranting. I'd really like to see what you have related to the Timing Belt replacement schedule. I looked at my manual again, and at both Sch. B, 105M, and at Sch. A, 102M, the schedule of maintenance reads: "Inspect the serpentine drive belt, replace if necessary." The words "Timing Belt" are not mentioned anywhere in the manual. BTW, my Owner's Manual is identified as "81-026-0441" and "First Edition" on the outside back cover. If there was an update to that, it might have been nice if they would have notified me of it!

 

I have bookmarked that link -- hopefully I'm a ways off from needing it, but you never know.

That is a pretty good racket they have going there. I could see $50 a wheel -- but either way, I probably will have to bite the bullet and do it. If I can get 5 years service out of them, I guess that would be pretty good. Do you think there are any alternatives to the dealer for this? I know Costco is now selling these valve stems in their tire operation, but I'm assuming they don't have the right diagnostic tool.


Here's something odd: my Pacifica was manufactured a month or so before yours, but my owners manual says "Second Edition" on the back cover! Odd. Anyway, here's a scanned image of the addendum. My in-laws told me they received it in the mail from Chrysler, and it was just a single sheet of yellow paper, the same size as the pages of the owners manual.




Hopefully this helps. Unfortunately, my in-laws do not recall when they received this notice (they've owned the Pacifica since late '04).

 

Well, that pretty much eliminates any intrepretation, doesn't it? Thanks for taking the time to reproduce that for me. Again, as an original owner, that would seem to be something that I should have received directly from Chrysler. Guess I have some decisions to make.

Back to the STSS issue. Let me save you a BUNCH of heartache on this. On 2004 Pacs., there were TWO different TPM sensors used. It is absolutely imperative that you get the correct sensors for replacement, as the incorrect one, although it is physically identical in appearance, will not communicate with the computer in your car. Isn't that just great?? Incidentally, 99% of the vendors out there are unaware of this and you won't find out until you have the sensors installed and the tires re-mounted. I had to find out the hard way, trust me on this.

I purchased two O.E. sensors from dealers early on, both Shrader units, and both of the incorrect fitment. What I subsequently learned from Dorman Products (mfgr. of replacement units) is that a changeover occurred in 2004 in vehicles with VIN # higher than "4R499999". If you are shopping for sensors, and someone tries to sell you a "one size fits all" unit for your 2004, run away as fast as you can! For the record, I purchased Dorman units on-line for under $30/sensor. If you are interested, the correct Dorman Products replacement for an early '04 Pac. (again, with VIN of 4R499999 or lower) is "974-002". My VIN # is 4R296---", so I am definitely early.

Hope this helps. Thanks again for the Timing Belt addendum.

 

That does eliminate any interpretation, you're right. I think someone at Chrysler must have gotten paid on how little ink they used on the addendums, because this one is pretty spartan. I guess I'm still a bit surprised that they didn't have this service included in the owner's manual the first time around. I know my Lexus calls for it at 90,000 miles, so you get a bit of a break with Chrysler. I'm right at 100,600 miles, so it's time for me to do something as well, especially since the Pac is likely off on a 2,000 mile drive sometime in late August.

Huge thanks on the TPM sensors, and I guess that's not shocking that they have some communication issues out there! The good news is that my VIN # is early as well -- 4R179xxx -- so I will use the same part number as you posted. That's a big savings over the dealership pricing.

So is it possible to have these sensors installed at any tire place? Or will they not be able to get the STSS light off?

 

Yes, you can have the sensors installed at any tire dealer, Costco, etc., but only a dealer can clear the fault permanently. I was able to clear mine for a matter of a few days by doing the magnet trick once I got the car home after replacing the tires last time. Shortly after that, however, it asked me if I was using the spare and, before I could even respond, it slipped back into "STSS" mode. I suppose that's where a dealer steps in. I haven't taken that step because I'm not convinced it would have any permanent effect.

As an aside, I had been having a significant problem with air pressure loss in all four wheels. As much as ten pounds of loss over a day or two. I finally concluded that the chrome plating in the bead area of the wheels was flaking and causing a bad seal. When I replaced the tires, I had them de-mounted and took the wheels back home with me. I then filed and ground the bead area clean and applied a couple coats of good build-up primer to all the bead areas. Once that dried, I installed the replacement sensors and then brought the wheels back to have the new tires mounted. No more air loss.

Hope this has been helpful.

 

Good info here -- I am getting ready to have the tires rotated and balanced, and the place that does that for me said they will install the sensors for $10/tire. Is the magnet that you are using something that came with your Pac? Or are you able to use any magnet? I looked in the glove box and a few other places, but didn't see one. And am I correct in assuming that you are supposed to answer "no" to the "are you using your spare?" question?

That's some amazing air loss in your tires, but it sounds like you got it fixed. I've been checking mine this week just to make sure they are still inflated to the correct amount, and so far, no loss. I'll keep your fix in mind, as I'm not too sold on the condition of the chrome near the bead on my wheels either.

 

No, the magnet does not come with the car. I had been successful a number of times in retraining the sensors by using a two magnet set I purchased at Lowe's. I would place one magnet on one side of the valve stem, and the other against the opposite side. As I said, that worked several times, but the system won't even respond to me now. I believe the magnets used in dealerships are specially formed to go over the stems. I've never actually seen one though.

The answer to whether or not you are using the spare would depend upon whether or not you are. The system can only track sensors within thirty feet of the car, so if you are using the spare, I suppose it would take one of them out of the equation if it sensed low pressure in one.

Not to gripe more about this lousy system, but I will, anyway. I have a far better TPMS on my 'Vette, in that it identifies each tire, and gives you a readout of the PSI in each tire, so there is no guessing. If, and when, you have your system restored, you'll find that it will only display "1 (or "2", "3", or "4" tires Low (or "High") pressure. It doesn't tell you which tire is at fault, and doesn't tell you what the pressure actually is. That's the real reason I'm not all that keen on spending $$$ at a dealership to have it restored. For purposes of "domestic tranquility", I understand that your motivation may be more intense, however.

 

Qckslvr, the system on the Pac sounds like it is more trouble than it's worth if I do fix it, so I think I'll just leave it as is and keep checking the pressure with my tire gauge. I can imagine how aggravated I would be if I paid to have the new sensors installed only to have the light return a day or two later. My wife's just going to have to learn to like the look of the STSS light...haha.

Sounds like the 'Vette system is a far better solution. Thanks for the info, though -- if I do choose to replace the sensors I'll know which ones to purchase.

 

I just bought my 2007 and I just love it. 6 sp trans with AWD

 

Ermm, yes. 2004 was the worst year, but what car DIDN'T have first model year issues? This car was developed VERY quickly and at a low amount of money. Mine has treated me fairly well, except for the fact it needed a new engine at just shy of 100,000 miles (I believe that was previous owner abuse, probably lack of oil changes because everything was caked in layers upon layers of carbon and sludge when our mechanic tore it up) Little electrical foibles may pop up, like my blower motor resistor (just under $100 at the dealership for the part and an absolute breeze to install (just behind glovebox). My steering and front suspension need an overhaul (tie rod ends are shot, sway bar links and bushings are shot, recently replaced the wheel hubs because the bearings were shot). But, it's a very smooth cruiser and has been an awesome first car to me