C1708 on 2012-2016 Nissan NV: TPMS 'No Data' Diagnosis and Fix

What's Unique About the 2012-2016 Nissan NV

The Nissan NV is a commercial work van, often customized with aftermarket electronics like GPS trackers, two-way radios, power inverters, and various chargers. Nissan has explicitly noted in Technical Service Bulletin NTB13-088A that these devices can cause radio frequency (RF) interference, leading directly to a C1708 'No Data' code. Therefore, ruling out RF interference by unplugging all 12V accessories is the critical first diagnostic step on an NV, even before suspecting a failed sensor. This issue is also prevalent on its platform-mates, the Nissan Titan and Armada.

Diagnostic Flowchart

Tap your situation to follow the diagnostic path that matches what you're seeing on this vehicle.

Symptoms You May Notice

• TPMS warning light flashes for approximately one minute at startup, then stays on solid.
• Inability to read the tire pressure for the front-left wheel on the vehicle's information display (if equipped).
• A 'Tire Pressure System Fault' or similar message on the dashboard.

Most Likely Causes

1. Dead TPMS Sensor Battery 🔴 High Probability → Shop Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Sensor TPMS sensors use a non-replaceable internal battery with a lifespan of 5-10 years. Vehicles in the 2012-2016 range are at or beyond the age where battery failure is the most common cause. Since all sensors are the same age, it is common for others to fail soon after the first one. Many owners opt to replace all four sensors at once to save on future labor costs, especially when getting new tires.
   How to confirm: Use a TPMS activation tool at the front-left wheel. If the tool cannot get a response or reading from the sensor, the sensor has failed.
   Typical fix: Replace the TPMS sensor in the front-left wheel and register the new sensor ID to the BCM using a compatible scan tool.
   Est. part cost: $40-$110
2. Radio Frequency (RF) Interference 🟡 Medium Probability As commercial vehicles, Nissan NVs are frequently equipped with aftermarket electronics (phone chargers, GPS, power inverters) that can broadcast interfering signals on or near the 315 MHz frequency used by the TPMS sensors. Nissan TSB NTB13-088A specifically identifies this as a cause for C1708. Forum users have confirmed that cheap, unshielded USB chargers are common culprits.
   How to confirm: Unplug ALL aftermarket devices from 12V power outlets. This includes any chargers, dash cams, GPS units, or inverters. Clear the code and drive the vehicle for over 10 minutes at speeds above 25 MPH. If the code does not return, one of the accessories was the cause.
   Typical fix: Identify and remove the specific device causing the interference. Replace low-quality chargers with higher-quality, certified ones that are properly shielded.
   Est. part cost: $0-$50
3. Failed TPMS Sensor (Electronic Failure) ⚪ Low Probability → Shop Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Sensor Physical damage from hitting a pothole, curb, or improper tire service can break the sensor.
   How to confirm: A visual inspection during tire dismounting may reveal damage. The sensor will also fail to respond to a TPMS activation tool, similar to a dead battery.
   Typical fix: Replace the damaged TPMS sensor. 🎬 See this walkthrough on how to replace a TPMS sensor.
   Est. part cost: $40-$110

Rare But Worth Checking

• Tires Rotated Without Relearning Positions: The code C1708 points to the front-left *position*, but the faulty sensor might have been rotated to a different corner of the vehicle. Always use a TPMS tool to check the sensor at the wheel before replacing it to avoid misdiagnosis.
• Faulty Body Control Module (BCM) or TPMS Receiver: → Shop Body Control Module This is extremely rare. Before condemning the BCM, all sensors and wiring should be thoroughly checked. This is typically a last resort in the diagnostic process and would likely affect more than one sensor.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Verify the symptom: Confirm the TPMS warning light flashes for about a minute upon startup before staying solid.
2. Scan for codes using a tool that can read the BCM/Chassis system to confirm C1708. A basic engine scanner will not see this code.
3. CRITICAL FIRST STEP: Unplug all aftermarket accessories (phone chargers, dash cams, GPS units, power inverters) from the vehicle's 12V outlets.
4. Clear the DTCs and drive the vehicle for at least 10 minutes at speeds over 25 MPH. If the light and code do not return, one of the accessories was the cause.
5. If the code returns, use a TPMS diagnostic tool at the front-left wheel to attempt to activate the sensor and read its data (ID, pressure, temperature).
6. If the tool gets no response, the TPMS sensor has failed (likely a dead battery) and must be replaced.
7. If the tool *does* get a response, the issue may be with the vehicle's TPMS receiver or BCM, which is less common. At this point, a professional diagnosis is recommended.
8. After replacing the sensor, the new sensor ID must be registered to the vehicle's BCM using a compatible scan tool (like Nissan's CONSULT) or a high-end aftermarket TPMS tool.
🎬 Watch: How to perform the TPMS relearn on your Nissan NV.
9. Confirm the repair by driving the vehicle to ensure the TPMS light stays off.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• TPMS Sensor (OEM #40700-CK001, superseded by 40700-JA01B or 40700-3AN1B) — This is the direct cause of the C1708 code when the internal, non-replaceable battery expires after 5-10 years of service. The original part 40700-CK001 is often superseded by newer versions.
  Trusted brands: Schrader (often the OEM supplier), Pacific, VDO, Autel (programmable), Nissan Genuine Parts
  OEM price range: $80-$110
  Aftermarket price range: $40-$70

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• C1709 — This code indicates 'No Data' from the Front-Right sensor. Seeing multiple codes (C1708, C1709, C1710, C1711) together could point to a systemic issue like widespread RF interference, multiple aged-out sensors, or a faulty TPMS receiver.
🎬 Watch: Diagnosing multiple 'No Data' codes on a Nissan system.
• C1710 — This code indicates 'No Data' from the Rear-Right sensor.
• C1711 — This code indicates 'No Data' from the Rear-Left sensor.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• NTB13-088A: Discusses TPMS/LTPWS systems and explicitly mentions 'Radio frequency interference causing a “No Data” (C1708, C1709, C1710, C1711) condition' as a key diagnostic point. It advises removing all aftermarket 12V accessories as the first step.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• Per Nissan TSB NTB13-088A, the NV platform is susceptible to TPMS communication issues caused by radio frequency interference from aftermarket electronics plugged into the vehicle's power outlets.
• Owners frequently report that low-quality, non-certified USB phone chargers are the specific source of the RF interference that triggers TPMS codes.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• TPMS Sensor Data Packet Analysis — expected: A transmittable data packet from the sensor containing a preamble, sensor ID, pressure, temperature, and status data. For example, a decoded packet might look like 'f0039041698c9c0461'.. Failure: No data packet received by the TPMS tool ('Trigger Failed'). If a packet is received, it can be decoded: pressure is reported as (value / 4) in PSI, and temperature is (value - 50) in Celsius. A bad reading would be nonsensical data or a failure to transmit.

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• Nissan CONSULT-III / CONSULT 3+: ID REGIST (ID Registration) — This is the primary function required after replacing a TPMS sensor. It writes the new sensor's unique ID into the Body Control Module (BCM) so the vehicle can recognize it. It is found under BCM > TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR > WORK SUPPORT.
• Nissan CONSULT-III / CONSULT 3+: DATA MONITOR > AIR PRESSURE MONITOR — Used to view the live data stream that the BCM is successfully receiving from the TPMS sensors. This is useful to confirm which sensors are communicating with the vehicle *before* and *after* a repair.
• Transmitter Activation Tool (e.g., J-45295-A): Sensor Activation ('Wake Up') — New sensors are often shipped in a 'sleep' mode to preserve battery. This tool is used to force the sensor to wake up and begin transmitting, which is necessary before it can be registered to the vehicle.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• BCM (Body Control Module) — Located behind the instrument cluster on the 2012 Nissan NV.. The BCM acts as the TPMS receiver. All sensor signals are sent to it. A fault with the BCM or its connections can mimic a failed sensor.
• Ground Points B7 / B19 — Located under the driver's seat for the 2012 Nissan NV.. Wiring diagrams indicate these are ground points for the BCM and the 'low tire pressure warning control unit'. A loose or corroded ground here can cause intermittent or total loss of communication from TPMS sensors, leading to a C1708 code even if the sensor itself is good.
• TPMS Reset Plug — A single-wire white plug located next to the OBD-II port in the driver's side footwell.. This connector is used for a manual, tool-free relearn procedure. Grounding this wire in a specific sequence puts the BCM into learning mode, which can resolve registration issues without a dealer scan tool.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• Project:Keira (Nissan Frontier Forum) (Nissan Frontier (shares F-Alpha platform and TPMS architecture with the NV)) — TPMS light was on after a sensor was physically broken during a tire change.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replacing the broken sensor with a cheap, non-OEM sensor purchased from eBay.
  ✅ What actually fixed it The cheap eBay sensor was found to be faulty and would not respond to the dealer's TPMS tool. The fix was to purchase a genuine OEM Nissan TPMS sensor. After installation, a manual relearn procedure was performed by grounding a specific wire near the OBD2 port, which successfully registered the new sensor and extinguished the light.

"I Checked Everything" — The Actual Cause

• A common advanced diagnostic scenario occurs when a technician's TPMS activation tool can successfully read the sensor at the wheel (receiving its ID, pressure, and temperature), but the vehicle's BCM still sets code C1708. This proves the sensor is transmitting, but the signal is not being received or processed correctly by the vehicle. The root cause in this case is not the sensor, but a problem 'downstream' in the BCM, its wiring, or a poor ground connection at a point like B7/B19 under the driver's seat.

OEM Part Supersession History

• 40700-3AN1A → 40700-3AN1B — Revision/update.
• 40700-CK001 → 40700-JA01B, 40700-3AN1B — Part consolidation and revision over multiple model years.
  Heads up: Crucially, some Nissan models use different sensors depending on whether the vehicle is equipped with the 'Easy Fill Tire Alert' system. For example, part 40700-3AN1B may be for 'Easy Fill' models, while 40700-3AN0B is for models without it. Installing the wrong functional type, even if it physically fits, will prevent it from registering with the BCM.