TPMS System Failure?

mkurp

I have had my 2012 370Z Roadster for just over 2 years. Unbelievably, it still has the factory warranty until April 2017 - The original owner bought it in April 2014, and I purchased it 6 months later.

Living in Michigan, the past two winters I put on a set of all season tires/wheels without TMPS sensors and the warning light would annoyingly flash. I just ignored it. This year, after doing that, the light isn't flashing, so I feared the system itself isn't working. At the same time, I decided to buy a new set (staggered 19") with TMPS, so I really would like to have the whole system working considering I paid for the TPMS sensors when I bought the wheels/tire online.

I went to the dealer, (while it is still under warranty) and they wanted to charge me just to look at the system because I didn't have the original wheels on. I said shouldn't the warning light be flashing that the TPMS sensors are not functioning? I gave up that line of argument and asked how much to program the new sensors to the car, figuring out that they would find the problem when they went to program it, but when they wanted $125 to program the TPMS, I drove away. Really? That seems outrageous!

I contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs (NCA) and was told that the dealership could charge me to look at it because I modified my vehicle. Again, even after explaining that the service guy originally told me that I didn't need to worry about TPMS, because the green caps on my new tires meant they were filled with nitrogen and everything will be OK. Seriously? That comment alone made me decide to find a new dealership. The fact that NCA wasn't surprised by that comment made it clear they really didn't understand my issue and they weren't willing to listen anymore.

Part of me wants it fixed (assuming I am right and it is broken) and the other part doesn't care. What you think? Any one else have a similar issue? Any suggestions?