transmission Temp Too Low to Read??

[JVantreese]

I had my dealer add a ISSPRO Transmission Temp Gauge and a PML Transmission Pan today. The tech checked it out and said I was set to go. When I drove off I noticed the gauge was sitting on the 100 degree peg. Five miles down the xway still no movement of the needle. I called the dealer and spoke with the tech who said come on back. I drove the 5 miles back and when I exited the freeway I saw the gauge finally move off the peg and stop at 130 degrees. At the dealership my tech checked the ground and other connections and found all were good. He then used an infered thermometer to check the PML transmission case. It showed 130 degrees. He then hooked up his diagnostic meter and said the internal temp of the transmission was 167 degrees per the built in sensor.

I thanked him for the quick review and headed back toward the expressway. The gauge dropped down to 100 degrees and sat on the peg for the next 90 miles as I headed home. The air temp was a brisk 42 degrees and I can only conclude that the either the aluminum case is acting as a excellent cooling devise or my gauge is goofy out of the box.

Please advise as to any experience you have with a transmission temp gauge.

 

[WDimig]

my isspro gauge work the exact same way... drivin on the free way in od, barely any temp reading, but if i stop, or do some stop and go driving for a while, i register about 130-145 on the guage. the reason why there is very little reading is because your on od, and the transmission fluid is not being sheard, causing heat build up, and the cooler is able to do a good job at freeway speeds, due to lots of air movement. i think it also has to do with the outside air temp as well. ive noticed quicker readings now that its warmer outside than i did in the winter. im in the process of geting the updated transmission line, so i can move the themocouple into the return line of the transmission, to get a better reading of whats goin on inside the transmission.



wes

 

[DDT]

I thought my gauge did not work untill I was draging a 6 ton trailer and low lock backing up a hill. That makes the needle move.

 

[JVantreese]

Thanks, Wes and DDT, I will sleep better tonight knowing that the gauge will let me know if and when I try to work the transmission too hard. It sure is nice to get some feedback from those who have been there and done that.

 

[BIG BOB]

im in the process of geting the updated transmission line, so i can move the themocouple into the return line of the transmission, to get a better reading of whats goin on inside the transmission.



wes

Wes,



You must mean the out line of the transmission to the cooler. Is it the one that is made by MassDiesel?



I have MassDiesel's line and my temps are as stated above. Also thought something was wrong with the gauge. Freeway driving temps are very low, however in town with stop and go driving will raise the temps to about 140. I'm also noticing that with daily temperatures going up, the transmission is heating up alot faster and transmission temps are rising. I'm really interested to see what my transmission temps do when it get's 90-100 degrees.

 

[DocDetonancour]

Very little reading at highway speed. Can see 140 to 150 around town. Doc

 

[tschwab]

I thought my gauge did not work untill I was draging a 6 ton trailer and low lock backing up a hill. That makes the needle move.

That is for sure.



JVantreese - What did your dealer charge for the parts and install?

 

[JVantreese]

Install cost

I had several things done by my dealer but in trying to isolate the cost of the gauge install I would say about $260. for labor, trans filter and fluid. The pan, gauge and the A pillar single gauge mount came from Geno's.



Some might say that this is a little pricey and could be done at home. I am happy to have someone else pull the stock trans pan that has no drain plug.



I also found out that the replacement pan holds about 1 1/2 pints more fluid then stock. My tech also mentioned that the 48 transmission has an internal heat sensor and is programed to lock out overdrive when it hits 250 degrees. It is his experience that the 48 is pretty much bullet proof with a stock engine. My tech drives a 2002 CTD and seems to be a sharp young man.



I feel that most of us do not NEED a transmission temp gauge, but then there is the concept of not limiting ourselfs to what we NEED and getting what we WANT.

 

[viper700]

If you are not going to haul much behind your truck you would not need a transmission temp guage. When I picked my truck up from Dave Smith last July I had them put in the 3 guages even though I am capable of installing them. This way it was done. I also had them put in a Mag HyTec double deep pan that added 4 quarts to the transmission. I was planning to pull a 5er that was 14,075 empty and probably closer to 15k loaded up. When first driving the truck empty it never moved the needle off the peg and in traffic in town it might rise to 140 once in a while. When pulling the 5er up a big hill as Nevada 163 out of Laughlin heading to US 95 on our way to Las Vegas I will guarantee you the transmission temp will come up. I am new at this heavey towing but watching the transmission temps come up and the Pyro siting on 1100 I would be dropping a gear till I was in 2nd and about 2500 RPMs and transmission temp about 200 and about 800 degrees now on the pyro. The most I ever got was 220 on the transmission on another hill going into Prescott on highway 89 from the south. Watching those 2 guages with a load on will keep you out of trouble. I have a 04. 5 DRW CTD QC 3. 73 48RE. I might have been better off with 4. 11's but I drive the truck from Anchorage to Yuma and needed the better fuel milage. Watch your temps and you will do OK.

 

[BHanks]

My new Isspro transmission temp gauge will reach 190 towing my 5th wheel up a steep hill and will fall back to 0 when it reaches 190 and after I top out the hill and start down the other side it will jump back to 180 until the next hill. . I checked all the connections and could not find any that was loose. . The transmission gauge is hooked to the same hot and ground as the pyro and no problems with the pyro except I reach 1200 I take my foot out of it. and it's stock except for the air filter and free flow muffler...

 

[JLitton]

My new ISSpro gauges work exactly the same way and at the same temps. My sensor is located in the passenger side of the pan. I also used the B&M drain plug from Geno's. That makes for a nice install.



BTW, I paid $112 and change for my 3 gauge A-pillar install at D&L Diesel Performance in Marietta, OH. Real nice job.

 

[bill8333]

Hello. I was reading on the TDR and came accross your trans post. Can you tell me where the sensor is in your trans.



Bill

 

[ECappleman]

Either inline or the middle port on the trans are the two best places.



Mine is in the trans port.

 

[viper700]

On the Mag Hytec double deep pan the port is on the back of the pan out of the way. This also adds about 4 quarts more fluid to your pan.

 

[DaveHess]

I installed the PML pan with a DiPrico Trans Temp gauge and found the same results. The highest mine has gone has been 180 and that was sitting after hauling a trailer. Got back on the road and it promptly begain it's march down to 120 and at times between 100 and 120. Glad to hear someone else with same results.

 

[SSage]

Pan temps are lower, I get 170 around town empty in my gasser. The sender is on the transmission out put line. I need to add one to the 03 diesel, waiting for the first trans service.



Is the Mag pan the way to go? The PML is smaller right, and you pay $25 more for the temp prep?

 

[red-rider]

Not sure if you guys would like to know but has anyone here ever thought of monitoring their differential temps? I know that my differential runs alot hotter then my transmission. Just a suggestion.

 

[SSage]

Couldn't hurt. What temps are you running with the Mag Hytec?





Oo. PML also has one with a temp boss for $150 and up:



http://www.yourcovers.com/dc_10361.shtml

 

[red-rider]

when Im towing on my transmission I will see temps at 180 or sometimes slightly above it, on my differential its a different story I will see anywhere between 190 and 220.

 

[wantabe351]

I have 2 trans gauges installed,First one is in output trans line before cooler,towing 14K 5er got as high as 240*... the other is in the test port for the govener pressure and that was at 200*... we were running up a steep grade at 45 mph no lockup... next time will try it in 2nd gear wth it in lockup... just ordered a 16pass cooler W/fan to put in return line and installed under the bed... remote fan control... going on a 10,000 mile 2 month vacation... ... towing camper out west (coast to coast vacation)... . was a former Dodge Tech and Trans/Electrical was my area. . the 604 trans was my daily repair for many years(mini van,car 89 to 95 they were junk). . then a back trouble and 12 surgeries later, now Im a stay at home Dad for the pass 5yrs. . so have lots of time on my hands to play some what... . Rich