Tire shops sell these sensors and they also sell the oldest stock first. It's a big problem.

The AC DELCO sensors are less likely to have short lives. I replaced mine when I got new tires. Three still work. One failed after about 18 months. But this is maybe only the 2nd time it's ever happened to me. Usually they go as many years as the tires last. I choose to replace them all when getting new tires. They might last through more sets of tires but I don't want the hassle.

Just curious, confused did you install just two winter tires (studs?) or all four? I can't figure out why you mentioned 2 in the back and 2 in trunk, so had to ask.

 

Does anyone know of a good online place to get AC Delco sensors?

RockAuto usually a safe place to shop car parts. Good selection and I've always received genuine parts.

 

I tried Rockauto but they didn't have enough of them. I might go to the tire shop and buy whatever they sell. They must sell allot of them and they wouldn't want people bitching if they die early.
Now I know why the ones i bought 2 years ago were cheap. Never buy from Metro 24 wholesale.

 

Sorry did not write it as well as I could. I have 4 all seasons on stock rims and 4 snow on Saturn rims, no studs. I tried just 2 snow tires on a Corsica I had and the car spun 180 on a straight road, no damage but I got 2more snows for the rear.
The two tires in the back and front were my all seasons that got changed for the for snows. The tire store charged $20 to change all 4 and program them. Next spring I am buying 4 all seasons from them, great shop.

 

I just replaced all of my TPS. They failed some months ago. I wanted to disable it if I could but wasn't able to do that so I asked my local tire shops. They recommended Schrader Programmable Tire Pressure Sensor (TPMS). I got them at Advance Auto and one was dead on arrival. Discount Tire didn't charge much to put them in and Advance replaced the defective sensor. Of course when I carried it back the store manager said, "We don't accept returns on electronics." So I laid my receipt down and said, "So why did you sign me up for warranty, and why is it on my receipt?"

The thing is, it's common to find bad sensors because like Griz says, you never know how long they've been on the shelf nor if the battery used was good. Make sure you look for parts with 1-year replacement if defective. Around here most shops carry Schrader and they come pre-programmed. My sensors lasted for 11-12 years with one not transmitting occasionally for the last year or two, then 2 more died. I waited until I changed tires but it wasn't hard to change out even if you don't.

 

I just brought mine into my local les schwab, they have been my favorite go-to tire shop chain for probably ~30 years no matter where I got transferred out west. Sometimes I ask them to do other stuff if I can't get to it.

I brought-in the four new ACDelco TPMS's I got for my studded tires, mentioned earlier, which I still haven't needed to put on this season. Yet lol. So I still have my non-studded tires on. They replaced all 4 sensors and rotated tires. Now my dash is clear of all alerts etc. Nice.

Rain returns tonight or so. I'm gonna order 4 more for my studs in case I need them (at 5000' elevation it freezes in a heartbeat). I'll go see Advanced and look at the Schrader Programmable Tire Pressure Sensor (TPMS).

@HJohnson
Do you know if they are somehow "more programmable" than other sensors?

 

I just brought mine into my local les schwab, they have been my favorite go-to tire shop chain for probably ~30 years no matter where I got transferred out west. Sometimes I ask them to do other stuff if I can't get to it.

I brought-in the four new ACDelco TPMS's I got for my studded tires, mentioned earlier, which I still haven't needed to put on this season. Yet lol. So I still have my non-studded tires on. They replaced all 4 sensors and rotated tires. Now my dash is clear of all alerts etc. Nice.

Rain returns tonight or so. I'm gonna order 4 more for my studs in case I need them (at 5000' elevation it freezes in a heartbeat). I'll go see Advanced and look at the Schrader Programmable Tire Pressure Sensor (TPMS).

@HJohnson
Do you know if they are somehow "more programmable" than other sensors?

I just know for the Impala they are ready to install and relearn and I assume for any other vehicles too. I also imagine mine lasted so long because we live here in SC where it's warm much of the year. If you're in a cold climate I believe that would put a strain on the batteries in the sensors but I still think you would get a fair amount of life out of them. It all hinges on how old the sensor you buy is. I don't know that or how to find out.

 

I bought sensors from Amazon and eBay. Some are still working 6 yrs later. When a sensor dies I replace them on my own. Remove the tire . Lay a 2 by 6 by about 4 ft on the tire with a block under the 2 by 6 so you don't damage the tire sidewall. Drive up the board and break the bead. Then rip out the sensor and replace. To blow up the tire I use a ratchet strap and tighten up the strap and air up the tire. I have done this on my impala regular tires and snow tires. Six time on my 2009 impala. You can do it.