C1709 on 2009-2014 Nissan Cube: Front Right TPMS Sensor Failure Causes and Fixes

What's Unique About the 2009-2014 Nissan CUBE

For this generation of Nissan vehicles, including the Cube, the manufacturer issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB NTB13-088a) acknowledging that radio frequency (RF) interference can cause this exact code. Aftermarket devices, especially inexpensive or low-quality cell phone chargers, wireless charging docks, and dash cams plugged into the 12V outlets, can emit RF noise that blocks the 315MHz signal 🎬 Watch: How to avoid common TPMS signal interference issues from the TPMS sensor, triggering a C1709 code even if the sensor is perfectly healthy.

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 remains solidly lit.
• Inability to read the tire pressure for the front-right tire using a scan tool.
• TPMS warning light may come on intermittently, especially during long drives, which can be a sign of either a failing sensor battery or RF interference.

Most Likely Causes

1. Dead TPMS Sensor Battery 🔴 High Probability → Shop Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Sensor The sensors have non-serviceable batteries with a typical lifespan of 7-10 years. The 2009-2014 model years are now at an age where battery failure is the most common cause of sensor failure. A weak battery can cause intermittent issues before failing completely.
   How to confirm: Use a TPMS diagnostic tool to attempt to activate or 'wake' the front-right sensor. If the tool cannot get a response, or if it reads a 'low battery' status, the sensor has failed.
   Typical fix: Replace the front-right TPMS sensor and register the new sensor ID to the BCM.
   Est. part cost: $30-$70
2. Radio Frequency (RF) Interference 🟡 Medium Probability As documented in Nissan TSB NTB13-088a, these vehicles are susceptible to RF interference from aftermarket electronics like phone chargers, dash cams, or power inverters. Cheaply made switching power supplies in these devices are known to emit RF noise that jams the TPMS signal.
   How to confirm: Unplug all aftermarket devices from the 12V power outlets. Clear the code and drive the vehicle to see if the code returns. If it does not, one of the devices was the cause. Some owners report the light only comes on after 15+ minutes of driving with the interfering device plugged in.
   Typical fix: Remove the interfering electronic device. If the device is necessary, replace it with a higher-quality, well-shielded version.
   Est. part cost: $0
3. Faulty TPMS Sensor ⚪ Low Probability → Shop Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Sensor Physical damage from hitting a pothole, corrosion, or damage during a tire change can cause the sensor electronics to fail, even if the battery has life. Use of aftermarket tire sealants can also damage the sensor.
   How to confirm: If the sensor responds to a TPMS tool but still won't register or provides erratic data, the sensor itself is likely faulty. This is confirmed after ruling out RF interference.
   Typical fix: Replace the front-right TPMS sensor and register the new sensor.
   Est. part cost: $30-$70

Rare But Worth Checking

• Faulty Body Control Module (BCM) or TPMS Receiver: This is very rare. Before suspecting the BCM, all other possibilities, especially the sensor and RF interference, must be exhaustively ruled out. This would typically involve more than one TPMS code being present and a failure to register any new sensors.
• Corroded Sensor Mounting Nut: Nissan issued a recall (NHTSA ID: 09V393000) for 2009-2010 models for TPMS sensor nuts that could corrode in salt-belt states, potentially leading to a loose sensor and rapid air loss. While not a direct cause of C1709, it's a related hardware failure point to be aware of during inspection or replacement.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Verify the symptom: Confirm the TPMS light flashes for ~60 seconds on startup before turning solid.
2. Unplug all aftermarket 12V accessories (phone chargers, dash cams, GPS units, wireless charging pads, etc.) to eliminate potential RF interference.
3. Clear the DTCs with a scan tool and drive the vehicle for several minutes to see if the code C1709 returns. If the light stays off, the issue was RF interference.
4. If the code returns, use a dedicated TPMS tool (e.g., from Autel or Bartec) to attempt to read the data (ID, pressure, temperature, battery status) from the front-right sensor.
5. If the TPMS tool cannot get any response from the sensor, or reports a low/dead battery, the sensor has failed and must be replaced.
6. If the tool can read the sensor, attempt to re-register the sensor IDs to the vehicle's BCM following the procedure for your specific tool. A successful re-registration may solve the problem.
7. If a known-good sensor (either the original or a new one) reads correctly with the tool but will not register with the BCM (and RF interference is ruled out), investigate the wiring and connectors for the TPMS receiver and BCM.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Sensor (OEM #40700-1AA0D) — This is the direct cause of the code in most cases, as its internal, non-serviceable battery dies after 7-10 years. This part number may be superseded by others like 40700-JK01C or cross-compatible with 40700-3AN0B. Always verify with VIN.
  Trusted brands: Schrader (often the OEM manufacturer), Continental/VDO, Denso, Huf, Autel, Standard Motor Products
  OEM price range: $60-$100
  Aftermarket price range: $30-$70

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• C1708 — This is the code for the front-left TPMS sensor. Seeing both codes suggests the sensor batteries are failing around the same time due to age, or a significant RF interference source is present.
• C1710 — This is the code for the rear-right TPMS sensor. Multiple TPMS codes at once can point to a widespread issue like RF interference or multiple sensors failing from age.
• C1711 — This is the code for the rear-left TPMS sensor. The presence of multiple 'No Data' codes strengthens the diagnosis of either multiple aged-out sensors or a systemic interference problem.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• NTB13-088a: This bulletin summarizes common TPMS issues and specifically calls out 'Radio frequency interference causing a 'No Data' (C1708, C1709, C1710, C1711) condition' and explicitly mentions 'Smart cell phone chargers' as a potential cause.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• As per Nissan TSB NTB13-088a, this vehicle is known to be sensitive to radio frequency interference from aftermarket accessories, which can trigger TPMS communication codes like C1709. Forum users have specifically identified cheap USB chargers and wireless phone charging cradles as culprits.
• A recall was issued for 2009-2010 models for corroding TPMS sensor nuts in salt-belt states (NHTSA ID: 09V393000), which could cause air leaks.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• TPMS Sensor Signal Frequency — expected: 315 MHz. Failure: No signal detected by a TPMS tool, or a very weak signal that drops out.
• TPMS Sensor Battery Status — expected: OK / Good. Failure: A TPMS tool reads the battery status as 'LOW' or 'FAIL'. A weak battery can cause intermittent signal loss before complete failure.

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• Nissan CONSULT-III / CONSULT 3+: Work Support > ID Regist — This function is required to register the unique ID of a new TPMS sensor to the BCM after replacement. The system will not recognize the new sensor until this is performed.
• Nissan CONSULT-III / CONSULT 3+: Self-Diagnostic Result > BCM > TPMS — To view the currently stored TPMS-related DTCs, including C1709 and any other related codes. This is the first step in dealer-level diagnosis.
• Autel, Bartec, or similar professional TPMS tool: Clone Sensor ID — If the old sensor can still be read by the tool (even if its battery is weak), its unique ID can be copied to a new programmable/universal sensor. This makes the BCM think it's still communicating with the original sensor, often bypassing the need for an OBD-II relearn procedure.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• BCM (Body Control Module) — Located under the driver's side dashboard, typically behind the main fuse block or near the steering column.. The BCM is the central computer that receives the signal from the TPMS sensor via the TPMS antenna. It processes the signal and triggers the warning light. A poor connection or faulty ground at the BCM can cause various electrical issues, including TPMS problems.
• TPMS Antenna — On many similar Nissan models, the TPMS antenna is a small wire connected directly to the BCM. On some vehicles, it is a separate receiver module located in a pillar or under the rear parcel shelf to better receive signals from all wheels.. This antenna receives the 315 MHz signal from the wheel sensor. If the antenna wire is damaged, disconnected from the BCM, or its path is obstructed, it can cause a 'No Data' condition identical to a failed sensor.
• BCM Ground Points — The BCM relies on several chassis ground points. Common locations on Nissan vehicles are behind the driver's and passenger's kick panels and on the A-pillars. A wiring diagram should be consulted for exact locations like M57 or M79.. A corroded or loose ground point for the BCM can cause intermittent and difficult-to-diagnose electronic faults, including the inability to receive or process the TPMS signal correctly.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• Forum posts on platforms similar to the Cube (e.g., Versa, Sentra) (2010 Nissan Sentra) — TPMS light was on constantly. Attempts to use the manual relearn procedure (grounding a wire near the OBD-II port) failed; the light would flash but then go solid, indicating the relearn mode was not working.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Checking and adjusting tire pressures., Attempting the manual TPMS relearn procedure multiple times.
  ✅ What actually fixed it The user concluded that the failure of the relearn procedure pointed to a bad TPMS sensor that was not transmitting, preventing the system from entering the learning mode. The next step was to have the sensors scanned and the faulty one replaced.
• General mechanic knowledge from TPMS-focused repair videos (Nissan Titan (demonstrating a common issue)) — TPMS light on, code indicating a sensor failure.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replacing the sensor with a cheap aftermarket part that failed to program or work correctly.
  ✅ What actually fixed it The problem was resolved by using a programmable sensor (in this case, an Autel MX-Sensor) and a compatible tool to properly clone the original sensor's ID or program a new one for the specific vehicle. This highlights the risk of incompatible or faulty-out-of-the-box aftermarket sensors.

OEM Part Supersession History

• 40700-1AA0D → 40700-JK01C, 40700-3AN0B, and others. — Standard part evolution for cost, reliability, or supplier changes.
  Heads up: While many numbers are cross-compatible, it is critical to verify the correct part number for the specific vehicle's VIN. Using a sensor designed for a different Nissan model (even if it fits) may result in a failure to register with the BCM.

Model Year Variations Within This Range

• 2009-2010: These model years were subject to NHTSA recall 09V393000 for TPMS sensor retaining nuts that could corrode and crack in salt-belt regions, potentially causing a rapid air leak. Technicians working on these years should pay close attention to the condition of the sensor hardware.