Transmission Temp

[yycguy]

For the 48RE what is considered a temperature to start worrying about when towing? IE what should we never exceed?

Thanks

 

[TCDiesel]

For the 48RE what is considered a temperature to start worrying about when towing? IE what should we never exceed?

Thanks

Normal operating 140 to 180 , 190 Ok , 200 Get out of it, 220 backoff, 230 do immediate fluid change, 240 get check book out, 250 start to right out check,260 to 280 write out second check for Tow charge. Always try and remember that these are temps at the sensor ,You could be a easy 100 plus in the TC if you drop out of lockup and start to pull with fluid coupling.

 

[yycguy]

Normal operating 140 to 180 , 190 Ok , 200 Get out of it, 220 backoff, 230 do immediate fluid change, 240 get check book out, 250 start to right out check,260 to 280 write out second check for Tow charge. Always try and remember that these are temps at the sensor ,You could be a easy 100 plus in the TC if you drop out of lockup and start to pull with fluid coupling.

Thanks for the info. I was pulling a steep grade on the weekend with my TT, the temp got up to 195. I then built up enough speed to lockup and then it cooled down to my normal 170 ish temp. I find that as long as I am locked up my temperatures stay down, its when I have to start and stop like in heavy traffic that it warms up. So if I get on a steep grade and I can't get lockup in 3rd I guess it would be better to drop down to 2nd and get the torque converter locked up. Any thoughts?

 

[BHolm]

Sounds like you have the right idea. The un-locked convertor is the heat generator. If the temps come up like that, getting it to lock up is the best way to get it to cool down. Stopping and idling is next but that souldn't be a problem unless the load is really big and the hill really steep and long. I agree with TWest that if you see 220 it is time to act or prepare to PAY. Synthetic fluid will give you an extra 20-30* cushion, but long term I wouldn't want to run that hot for fear of clutch and other internal damage.

 

[MDW]

Lock the converter and keep the rpm's up.

 

[yycguy]

Lock the converter and keep the rpm's up.

Sometimes that easier than said with a 4 speed auto, sure wish DC would have built a 5 speed auto long ago.

 

[PScheren]

Everything above sounds like good advice, but sometimes hard to do. Towing a 10K trailer up the 20-30 MPH. 5 miles of steep switchbacks into Black Rock Canyon of Gunnison and Colorado National Monument, I saw my temps approach 225 at the top. There is no place to stop on the way up.

 

[yycguy]

Everything above sounds like good advice, but sometimes hard to do. Towing a 10K trailer up the 20-30 MPH. 5 miles of steep switchbacks into Black Rock Canyon of Gunnison and Colorado National Monument, I saw my temps approach 225 at the top. There is no place to stop on the way up.

just curious did you drop it down to 2nd and get lockup? I would think that would cool it down

 

[PScheren]

I dropped it in 2nd occasionally, but not consistently as I was under the impression that it would keep it locked up if you were locked prior. I didn't think or know that dropping it would initiate a lockup under 48 mph. But I could be wrong.

 

[TCDiesel]

If you experience Temps above 200*,Installing a manual fan override will help tremendously. You will rob the engine of some HP,If you set your Truck Up correctly climbing most hills will be no problem. The Stock TC is not up for the task even with only stock HP, It is terribly intractable

 

[yycguy]

I dropped it in 2nd occasionally, but not consistently as I was under the impression that it would keep it locked up if you were locked prior. I didn't think or know that dropping it would initiate a lockup under 48 mph. But I could be wrong.

Well I am no pro on torque converter lockup theory but I have found with mine is if I can't maintain lockup in 3rd because of too steep a grade then I need to manually shift down to 2nd and keep my speed and rpm's up say 2000-2500 and maintain lockup that way. Hope that makes sense

 

[DBond]

I'm interested in what you are using for a temp gauge. Does it use the stock sensor?



I am stock with only the idiot light, and I have no idea what temp that goes off at. Anybody know?



I'll only have ~3000 lbs truck camper, maybe I'm not likely to get into a situation.

 

[opiefire]

I have the new isspro gauges, and see temps at 200 in stop and go traffic with out towing anything. Out side temp is averaging 93 degrees. My gauge temp sensor is in the side of the transmission pan as described in the TDR magazine a couple of issues back. Is the temps I'm seeing normal? I also would like to hear if anyone knows what the stock transmission idiot light goes off at?

 

[TCDiesel]

I have the new isspro gauges, and see temps at 200 in stop and go traffic with out towing anything. Out side temp is averaging 93 degrees. My gauge temp sensor is in the side of the transmission pan as described in the TDR magazine a couple of issues back. Is the temps I'm seeing normal? I also would like to hear if anyone knows what the stock transmission idiot light goes off at?

250*260*... .

 

[PScheren]

DBond, I am using the X-Monitor Gage. The transmission readout is tied into the green wire/orange tracer going from pin 29 on the ECM to the transmission. This wire is connected to the stock Dodge TC that turns on the Idiot light at 250-260*. Easy installation, but I am not sure where exactly the TC is actually located.