Are 2025 and 2026 TPMS sensors (sending units) the same?

[NorskieRider]

The reason I ask ....

Last night, first cold'ish night (3F) with the truck, the dash warned me that fronts were down to 31 psi. Figured it's fine for getting home (~20 miles). After a few miles the dash lost all contact with the TPMS in the tires.
Got home, tires are at 36F. Left in the heated garage overnight, and this morning, still no readings on the dash. Went for a drive (properly cold now, -9F) > 50 mph > 20 minutes and still no bueno.

This is a 2026 1500 with ~1200 miles on it - but not the original rims tires and sensors. Two weeks ago I had a local shop mount new snow tires on used rims and installed new sensors. Worked great for those two weeks.

Today I went back to that shop, and asked them to scan the tire sensors, and they're ok. However ... their tool only supported up RAMs up to 2025. There is a remote possibility that, if the 25 and 26 TPMS runs at different frequencies or protocols, they installed the wrong ones. That wouldn't explain why they worked for two weeks, but I'm hoping to eliminate.

My guess is that the TPMS receiving unit is bad, considering that it lost contact with ALL the sensors at the same time. I just don't want have the dealership charge me $180 diagnostic fee to tell me that the wrong sensors were installed.

 

[NorskieRider]

Talked to the dealer, they said 25 and 26 sensors are the same.
They also said that the sensors must be "paired with the vehicle using a special tool".
I asked "I thought they would do that automatically when driven for a few miles?"...
She said "no, that's the calibration, it's like bluetooth, they need to be paired first".
I asked "why then would it work for two weeks and then they all dropped at the same time?"
"I don't know" she said, "bring it and we'll diagnose it for you, for $180".

Ugh. Ok, I'm going to my storage unit to get my OEM wheels and sensors. I'll install one wheel and see if it can see that sensor.

 

[dew.man]

Let us know how this plays out

 

[NorskieRider]

Installed one of the original tires, went for a 15 minute drive, still no TPMS recognition on the dash.

Called the dealer, talked to a different person who was not interested in talking, got an appt set up for two weeks time. Took my phone # and name.
An hour later my brother says he got an email confirming my appt. WTF ? I didn't give the dealer my email, they didn't ask. It's nothing like my brother's email address; he lives an hour away, never been to that dealership and currently only owns Porsches (but when he lived 1200 miles away had a Jeep).
The email confirmed my appointment for a 2013 Ford Focus. About five years ago my mom had a 2013 Ford Focus which I took to that dealership for her to get a transmission replaced.

I think I need to find a different shop.

 

[dew.man]

FWIW, I just swapped wheels and the trucked recognized the new TPMS sensors in the new wheels without having to do anything. This is consistent with how it behaved in my last truck (F150) so you shouldn't need a dealer to reprogram as long as the sensors are compatible with your model year truck

 

[NorskieRider]

The shop fixed it. Their notes (paraphrased):

"the RFH locations do not match analyzer locations. Performed learn cycle. Test drove vehicle and found all 4 tires learned their locations and now display all tire pressures on evic as designed".

When I picked up the truck I quizzed the service advisor "when I switch to my all-seasons do I need to bring it back to reprogram?" and she said "yes" and I asked "what if I rotate the tires in my garage, will the TPMS come on again because the tires aren't in the locations the ECU expects them?" and she said "yes" and I asked "can I fix this myself or do I need to pay you to do the learn cycle?" and she said I'd need to pay them unless I bought the ODB device to do it.

Three miles down the road, it lost the TPMS signals again.

Got another appt for Monday.

 

[Jako]

The shop fixed it. Their notes (paraphrased):

"the RFH locations do not match analyzer locations. Performed learn cycle. Test drove vehicle and found all 4 tires learned their locations and now display all tire pressures on evic as designed".

When I picked up the truck I quizzed the service advisor "when I switch to my all-seasons do I need to bring it back to reprogram?" and she said "yes" and I asked "what if I rotate the tires in my garage, will the TPMS come on again because the tires aren't in the locations the ECU expects them?" and she said "yes" and I asked "can I fix this myself or do I need to pay you to do the learn cycle?" and she said I'd need to pay them unless I bought the ODB device to do it.

Three miles down the road, it lost the TPMS signals again.

Got another appt for Monday.

Wish you the best of luck. My 2019 Ram OEM TPMS pick up tire rotations, no programming required.
My 2011 Honda Fit I have to program.

 

[Granite Goat]

This is all interesting. I put my snows on steel wheels from a 2025 Tradesman and installed on my 2026. It recognized the TPMS on the first drive and all is well. No programming procedure or dealer visit necessary.

 

[NorskieRider]

I have no doubt there's a problem with the TPMS receiver. But I guess I have to play the game and go through the process.

 

[NorskieRider]

I had a chat with customer service at Mopar, asking how TPMS is supposed to work. Their response:

OK - so if I rotate the tires, so the sensors are in different
positions, do I need to take it to the dealer and have
them perform a re-learn on it?

Joshua P You don’t need to take your 2026 RAM 1500 to the dealer
for a TPMS re-learn after a tire rotation — the system is
designed to automatically recalibrate itself once you
drive. How the TPMS Handles Tire Rotations
Auto-Locate Feature: The RAM 1500’s TPMS uses the
Radio Frequency Hub and wheel speed data to determine
sensor positions. After a rotation, it automatically
identifies which sensor is on which wheel.
Driving Recalibration: Once you drive above about 15
mph, the system begins updating sensor locations. It can
take up to 20 minutes of driving for the cluster display to
fully reflect the new positions.
No Manual Reset Needed: Unlike older vehicles that
required a dealer tool or manual reset, the newer RAM
1500 models (including 2026) rely on this self-learning
process.
Warning Light Behavior: If tire pressures are set correctly
, the TPMS light should clear on its own after the relearn
cycle. If it stays on, double-check pressures against the
doorjamb sticker and drive again to allow the system to
finish recalibrating.
01/23/2026 05:33 PM GMT

You OK. Next question. I have a separate set of wheels/tires
with TPMS (i.e. snow tires).
You WHen I switch to the snow tires in the fall, and back to
the all-season tires in the spring, do I need to take it to
the dealer to have them do a re-learn procedure?
01/23/2026 05:38 PM GMT

Joshua P That’s a great question — and the answer is reassuring.
On your 2026 RAM 1500, you don’t need to visit the
dealer for a TPMS re-learn when swapping between two
complete sets of wheels/tires, as long as both sets have
compatible sensors installed. How It Works with Multiple
Wheel Sets
Automatic Recognition: The truck’s TPMS system is
designed to detect and learn sensors on its own. When
you install your snow tire set, the system will pick up
those sensors once you drive for a short period.
Driving Cycle: Typically, after driving above about 15 mph
for 15–20 minutes, the system updates and recognizes
the new sensors.
No Manual Reset Required: Unlike older systems, the
RAM 1500 doesn’t require a dealer tool or manual reset
for seasonal wheel changes.
Consistent Monitoring: As long as both sets of wheels
have OEM-compatible TPMS sensors, the system will
continue to provide accurate pressure readings.

That's good news and is consistent with what the rest of you are experiencing.
It lends further credibility to my theory that there is a problem with the TPMS receiver in my truck.

 

[Granite Goat]

I had a chat with customer service at Mopar, asking how TPMS is supposed to work. Their response:



That's good news and is consistent with what the rest of you are experiencing.
It lends further credibility to my theory that there is a problem with the TPMS receiver in my truck.

Well, crap. That's kind of a good news/bad news sort of thing.

 

[NorskieRider]

And today it starting working again on my way to the gym.
And it stopped working on my way home.

At least it gives me something to post about.

 

[Granite Goat]

And today it starting working again on my way to the gym.
And it stopped working on my way home.

At least it gives me something to post about.

So weird

 

[NorskieRider]

This just gets weirder.
Yesterday it started working again, warning that all four tires had 31 psi.
I got home, and put 39 psi in the DRIVE SIDE tires, when for a drive - and the dash said the FRONT tires were at 39 psi.
Then it stopped working again.
I'm starting to find this humorous!

 

[CaptMilks]

Looking to install new wheels on the 2026 Rebel 1500. In researching TPMS I see ones good for 2019-2026 68293199AA. However, in reading, might be misguided google info, I see that a change was made in 2025. Indeed, I see part number 68591551Ab for the 2025-2026 2500, and 3500. But not the 1500, in all but one description. So, my question is what is the difference between the two TPMS? Both look like short rubber stems. I would hate to have to break them down just to install a different sensor.

 

[Bt10]

This is all interesting. I put my snows on steel wheels from a 2025 Tradesman and installed on my 2026. It recognized the TPMS on the first drive and all is well. No programming procedure or dealer visit necessary.

Those are ‘21 sensors by the way!

I just put ‘23 Limited wheels on my ‘21 and all 4 will not read. Dealer wants all new sensors. I asked if he thought all 4 died at the same time at 2 yrs old with zero miles - uhhhhhh…

 

[troymi]

Chime in to confuse further: I have 25 Ram and expected TPMS would need to change due to electronics. I put 22 Rebel wheels/TPMS on (with 34.5") to test fit. The TPMS synced within 1/2 mile. Been months now, no issue.

 

[NorskieRider]

Just to follow up ... the dealer re-programmed the TPMS again and this time it's been working well with both sets of tires.

But ... I still don't think they got the locations right. I dropped the air in the driver rear tire and it gave me a warning about the driver's front tire. Not going in just for this, but will get it looked at when I bring in for the DTC's.

 

[Vulpes]

At times I have carried a materials testing device in the truck for work, and I noticed when it was in the truck, the TPMS would not read the tires. Removed the device from the truck and it would read the tires after a few miles. Is there maybe anything in the truck or near the truck which might be giving off a similar frequency to the TPMS? I believe it would be 433 MHz.