Auto transmission gauge install?

[diesaldual]

I getting ready to install my transmission temp gauge and was wanting some input on how most of you guys installed the sensor in your pans. . I still have the stock pan and I'm not to sure on brase welding the brass fitting to the pan!!!

 

[Extreme1]

Go for the line option!

Replace the line going from the trans to the cooler on the side of the engine with one from a '94. It has a guage port in it. (1/4"npt I think) Or, if you are handy, shorten the stock tube at the cooler and install a pipe T and sender there.



The pan isn't as good a spot as the fluid comes out of the TC and goes through the coolers before dumping back into the pan. As a former pan installed sender vetran, I can tell you it doesn't do much there.

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Trans Temp

My view was why reinvent the wheel? Dodge has a replacement cooler line from the transmission pressure coupling to the A/T-coolant exchanger. Yes its a little pricer than DIY but 30 minutes and it fits exactly. The reason is this line has a port (its either 1/8" or 1/4" NPT) and will take the sender directly. This should give you the hottest temp the ATF can be—and what you want to know!

 

[ProvenPerformance]

So what do you recommend for the guys driving '95s with the line already installed and being used for the stock sensor?

 

[Extreme1]

Look Here...

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21211

 

[EMDDIESEL]

www.jannettyracing.com sells a complete in line trans temp sender mount kit for about 45 bucks. Simple to install and much more accurate then pan readings

 

[Howard Durand]

This is an interesting and informative thread.



I punched a couple of holes in my stock transmission pan and welded in threaded bosses for a pan plug and a temperature sender.

Consequently, I am reading temperature of the oil in the pan.

I guess I could also stick one in the outflow tubing from the TC but am wondering if that is what I want to know.



Am I wrong in the assumption that the oil in the pan is what will be flowing through the internal working parts of the transmission and the TC is the last place it is used before sending it through the cooling process?

It is my understanding that the temperature rise is greatest in the TC and that it can be controlled somewhat by how the transmission is used.

At least, by reading pan temperature I can tell if the cooling components are doing their job or not.



Also, I am using an external cooler in the return line just before it goes into the transmission. It has a manually controlled fan on it but I have never had to turn it on.

 

[vc]

DieselDoghouse,

have you got a part number and price for the Mopar replacement line you mentioned above?

Thanks.

vc

 

[EMDDIESEL]

The reason you want to read temps from the outlet to the cooler and not the pan is this way you will no how hot the trannie is running, the reading in the pan is after the cooler, so the temps will be much lower and therfore, wont let you know right away there is a problem

 

[Dennis Garrett]

I cut the rubber line going into the hot side of the oil cooler on the left side of the radiator. I spliced in an aluminum block & 10 micron hydraulic filter, most commonly used on wood splitter return lines. (bolted it up to the cross member under the radiator. )It flows 25 gpm, and filters to 10 micron, better than the 40-50 micron you get with the internal trans filter. Anyway, it has a port for the temp. sensor, and it's a pretty close indication of what's coming out of the TC. The block AND filter cost about $20 bucks at Tractor Supply. It has a check valve in it, flow directional arrows, & 3/4" pipe openings. I used brass barb fittings & good stainless clamps. Keeps the fluid nice & red. I also put another sensor in the top of the engine oil filter housing, and ran both into an "On-On" switch. I just toggle left or right for what ever temperature I want to check.

 

[samb]

transmission temp

Dennis you are reading the temp after it has been cooled by the cooler on the side of the motor. The oil comes out of the transmission and goes to the cooler on the side of the motor and than to the cooler in front of the radirator so you are not getting an accrant reading of the transmission.



Sam B.

 

[Dennis Garrett]

I think that's right, it goes through that thing on the right side of the engine, then to the radiator area. I don't know how much cooling we get from that unit on the engine, my trans temps before it reaches the trans cooler are about 165-175, and the engine oil stays around 195. I might try to re-install the sensor ahead of the engine mounted cooler & see if it's any different.

 

[diesaldual]

Thanks guys!!! You all have made my guess work a hell of alot easier!!

Now that I have gotten my transmission up and running right. I want to be able to make sure all is well with the temps. .

Now if all my other gauges would show up!!!

 

[jwdeeming]

EMDDIESEL,

Thanks for your post about Jannetty's kit for installing the sensor in the cooling line. It doesn't seem to be on their website, but I just called them and got it ordered. Sounds a whole lot nicer than drilling the pan.

JimD