Transmission Temp Sensor Ideas

I just came across this post where where the guy installed the sensor inline using brass fittings. Check it out, about half way down the first post, .

If this were installed just after an aux cooler would that work okay? Or would it be preferable to tap the transmission or transfer case instead?

 

Transmission temperature is one of the things available over OBDII and the Torque app (on my 2003). You may want a gauge that shows it all the time, but just wanted to make sure you know that it may be available to you over OBDII. I don't know where the sensor is located or how accurate it is. When I saw it in the Torque app, I remember thinking it could be useful to someone that tows.

 

I'm using a garmin gps that pulls everything from the OBDII, only it can't be programmed to get the trany temp. Considering the GVW of my rig I'm thinking that being able to keep an eye on the temp at all times is best. Thanks for the suggestion though!

 

are you sure?

I didnt think there was a sensor on 1st gens?...at least my 99 doesn't have one. That might have changed in 2000. I could be wrong.

to OP,You have an automatic right?

at close to the transmission as possible.. but if you're getting a consistent reading that's all the counts.

Not tapping into the transmission seems ideal. The line before it enters the radiator would be a good idea.

The transfer case uses gear oil so that's a completely separate issue.

 

The ultragauge mx reads tranny temps

 

I'm not sure where it's getting the temp from but I do know it's not an option with my current setup.

I also found this which looks like a way to get a more accurate measurement as it's about as close as you can get to the case without tapping it.

The guy at the dealership said the hard outlet line would be part #32922-04070, but I don't think that's the right one. Can anyone confirm this?

 

And one more thought... how about instead of welding a bung into the pan (if one were to install the sensor there alternatively), why not bring the plug to a machine shop and have then tap it with a 1/8 ntp that way any sensor can be installed as opposed to only a vdo?

 

Over the years I have installed many transmission temperature gauges installing the sending unit into the pan of the transmission.

Pretty easy to weld whatever fitting into the pan All kinds of weld in fittings on the market

Back in the old days you needed to pull the pan to drain the fluid what a mess I installed a few drain plugs as well.

 

Some do have the sensor, but don't trust it I've had my light come on yet with the torque app it shows no change in temp.

 

pretty much any transmission that has a locking converter 1996 and up use a trans temp sensor of some sort . The issue of tapping into the factory sensor and receiving communication from it is the difficult part .
Some guys believe its best to run an aftermarket temp sensor in the cooling line that dumps hot fluid from the torque converter going out to the radiator and other guys say its best to install the bung in the pan after the fluid has been cooled by the transmission cooler . Either way you decide to install the aftermarket temp sensor , you are creating another spot for trans fluid to leak and you need to add the guage to your dash and supply fused voltage to it . With this said , do it rite the first time .
My first choice would be to determine if I could read the factory trans temp sensor and eliminate the possibility of creating additional leak points .
More info here depending on what transmission you have in your truck .
Look into a scan guage or Ultra guage as a substitue . Not only will you eliminate leak points , but these guages offer much more than just trans temp
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/aisn-warner-340-series-transmissions

 

I very much agree with doing it once and doing it right.

For me I think that'll be a Tru-Cool LPD 4544 (the big one) transmission cooler, ISSPRO EV2 (R14599) temp gauge switched with a sensor both in the pan and outlet line, mounted in a Lotek gauge pod.

I think it'll be worth the investment.

What are y'alls thoughts on inline transmission filters? Are they necessary?

 

dont care for them in lines myself unless your using the filter for a temporary cleaning device .As the filter plugs up it restricts flow to the cooler


Here is some cooler information
If you do not have a transmission cooler on your truck and you plan to tow or haul heavy loads or you are in heavy stop and go traffic and use 4X4 low a lot , consider purchasing a cooler . The cooler thats built into your rad is designed to cool the transmission with the weight of just the truck by itself .When you are in 4x4 low , your torque converter is usually in the stall stage and creates a tonne of additional heat .
160 - 200 are considered normal temps providing your engine radiator is functioning properly . If your engine overheats , your transmission will also overheat
Normal fluid temperature in transmission to be 175 deg. F.

Rate of oxidation to double for each temperature increase of 20 deg F above normal (175 deg F). As oxidation rate doubles, useful life of fluid is cut in half.

At 175 deg F life is 100,000 miles
At 195 deg F (20 deg above 175) life is 50k miles
At 215 life is 25k miles
At 235 life is 12k
At 255 life is 6,250
At 275 life is 3,000
At 295 life is 1500
At 315 life is 750

At temperatures much above 300 deg F the metals in the transmission will tend to warp, twist etc. high temperatures causes the formation of varnish deposits which impair or pre vent transmission operation.

At a fluid temperature of 415 deg F fluid life is 30 minutes!

Source: Empire Lubricants Inc.
Consider a scan guage http://www.amazon.com/ScanGauge-Comp.../dp/B000AAMY86
Here is the best information for the scan guage http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/102837-scangauge-ii-can-read-oil-pressure.html
Ultraguage is now offering transmission temps http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/318340-ultragauge-transmission-temp.html

You could also use the Torque app with an Android phone as a cheap alternative to watch your temps http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/performance-tuning/183560-write-up-torque-app-obd2-reader.html

This is how Low Pressure Drop technology works::
When Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is cold it is viscous. The unique Tru-Cool design allows the colder, thicker ATF to flow more efficiently through two open bypass channels positioned at the top of the cooler. As operating temperatures increase, the ATF becomes hotter and thinner, It's then directed through the core where it is cooled. Tru-Cool's highly efficient cooling technology combines improved protection against lube failure with optimal heat transfer.
http://www.amazon.com/Long-Tru-Cool-.../dp/B005XZXB1M
Long Tru-Cool Oil Coolers offer advanced cooling protection for many towing applications. The advanced technology out performs TUBE & FIN Designs, Delivers up to 15 times less flow restrictions, 30% more cooling delivers maximum heat transfer, Self-Regulating for maximum lube flow protection through start-up, varied temperatures and driving conditions, heavy loads and towing.
Here is Toyotas fluid flow guide ...Look at page 8 on this PDF http://www.toyotatundraforum.com/pdf/A750E.pdf
And here is a guy who recently installed a cooler correctly http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st...agram-pic.html

cooler and fan install http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/352071-my-trans-cooler-fan-install.html

 

It shows up green in the Torque list (green are available sensors) and shows reasonable values that get warmer as I drive.

 

All 1st gen auto trans have the sensor but the earlier ECUs do not part with that information in a way the OBDII readers like a ScanGauge can utilize it. I don't know what model year was the first year to be able to read the data but my friend with a '97 could not whereas I am able to with my '02.

 

It reads it in mine but I don't trust it, app seems to work on mine, temp rises/falls but the light on the dash came up and the app showed little change.

 

Basic OBD2 compliance was mandated by the 96 model year, but some manufactures still lagged until 99 to 2000. What you mentioned is exactly the type of thing that took a few years to be standard in the PID reporting.

 

So what I'm taking from this is that the data available from the ODBII is unreliable, or at least lacks accuracy.

 

Or the program reading it isn't reliable.

 

No, your 2004 will be 100% compliant. If there is a sensor connected to the ECU, it will be present in the Mode 6 data, in other words it will be there. Torque has a plug in that will give basic readings of all available PIDs.

 

I remember that thread. I had a TRD cooler after the factory cooler with the sending unit coming out of the transmission. Now I have a TRU cool 4454 and bypassed the radiator cooler. Summer time it gets no higher than 180 on city streets with no load.