Trany temp sensor install Question?

[DHalbrooks]

Just recieved the Pyro, Boost, and Trany guages for the windshield mount today. Ordered the new Isso that match the dash exactly. I understand how to do the boost and the pyro, but am a little fuzzy on the Trany temp sensor itself. The wounderful directions that accompany the guages does not address the sensor placement. Do I have to drill, tap and dy the trany or does the bolt fit into an already existing slot? Any help and pictures would be appreciated. I also was amazed that the guages did not come with the wiring for the lights just the prongs. May be a common thing but I am new to the diesel world and guage world. I am going to try and do the install myself if I can figure out the transmission sensor. Thanks in advance.

 

[SLinse]

I'm in the process of installing a transmission temp myself. I checked out DTT websight forums...

http://www.dieseltrans.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=558



they go threw several possible locations, but they only recomend one. They say mounting the sensor in the transmission line going out to the cooler is the best spot to get the actual transmission temp. An outfit called Mass diesel makes a replacement line with the fitting. DTT is currantly out of them, but they told me more are order, and will be there in a few days. Good luck

 

[DocDetonancour]

Installed mine in an existing port. There was a thread on here at that time that compared to other options, and the readings were basically 6's. Sorry don't have a way to post picture, but the port is on the left side near the top. Good luck, Doc

 

[Bertram65]

I have a picture in my reader rig of the port I installed it in, works great and reacts quickly when conditions change.

 

[JVolpe]

I recommend get the replacement line from the trans to cooler. Easiest and best location for temp reading. At least that what the experts told me.

 

[phicks]

Use existing middle plugged hole, passenger side, works great.

 

[BIG BOB]

Use existing middle plugged hole, passenger side, works great.

You will not get an accurate reading there. The only place to get an accurate reading for transmission temp is from the out line of the transmission going to the transmission cooler. (stated in other posts) Get the replacement line from Mass Diesel This will allow you to know exactly what your tranmission is doing!

 

[BIG BOB]

Here is a quote from Bill Kondolay of DTT:



the average temps going downt the highway in the cooler line is between 160 - 170 range, in the pan it is going to be between 130 - 150 so yes it is faiirly closee. However the heat is not generated cruising down the highway in lock up mode,stop and go traffic and in reverse is where the most heat is generated. It is not uncommon to see temps of 205 in the transmission outline . Lets follow that oil, say the oil comes out of there at 210, it is going to the passenger side of the engine block where it enters the water to oil cooler. If your engine is operating at 160 degrees it is going to turn the transmission temps to approx 160 - 170 degrees . From there it goes to the transmission cooler which is located by the front bumper. This is going to drop the transmission oil temps by about 20 degrees . From there it goes back into your transmission through the intermediate shaft. If you have a temp gauge in the pan ,you may see a 5 degree increase over your normal temps driving down the highway, which wouldnt cause you any concern. In reality the transmission oil has been heated to over 200 degrees , and the same senario would be true if your transmissioin hit 300 degrees. The way the oil is routed though the water to oil cooler , through the front of the vehicle where it is then cooled by a oil to air cooler then back through to the transmission via intermediate shaft where your pan temps may register as high as 160 -165 which wouldnt cause you to panic or change your transmission oil.



Again to me the main purpose is to help me determne when to change my oil. A typicial vehicle should service their vehicle every 15,000 miles . I have personally witnessed in my own shop having to change a customers oil after only 6 miles, he took forever trying to back up his trailer and was well over 350 degrees from the line , we had to bring the truck back in and change his oil.





For me, I listened to the expert and purchased a line with the temp bung already in it from Mass Diesel! JMO

 

[Bouncy]

Well I have to put my 2 cents in here.



I bought that stupid transmission line. Hooked up 2 gauges to my transmission for a week. On to the port on the passenger side back of the transmission and the other in the magic line port.



BOTH I repeat BOTH were identical.



So if you want to waste your hard earned $$$$$$$$$ and 75 bucks in the process... Buy that inline trans line.



If you play it smart... Just use the port on the transmission and save your money for something else.



This is not my opinion... This is FACTS.

 

[akshadow]

Does anyone know where the Dodge overheat sensor gets its reading? I know it is just an idiot lite on the dash but as I understand it the sensor in the transmission is not just on off reading.

 

[Bertram65]

Well I have to put my 2 cents in here.



I bought that stupid transmission line. Hooked up 2 gauges to my transmission for a week. On to the port on the passenger side back of the transmission and the other in the magic line port.



BOTH I repeat BOTH were identical.



So if you want to waste your hard earned $$$$$$$$$ and 75 bucks in the process... Buy that inline trans line.



If you play it smart... Just use the port on the transmission and save your money for something else.



This is not my opinion... This is FACTS.

Awsome, thanks for posting this, I have talked to others with the fitting on the line and they have reported the same readings I see in the port, great to see actual proof.

 

[phicks]

The tapped port on the side of the trany is the trany oil temp on it's way to the cooler. Go to your dealer, ask to look at the service manual and read it for yourself.

 

[MadMike]

I am about to install my transmission gauge. Looking at the passenger side of the transmission I think I see three test ports. Is the one located closest to the rear axle the best one to use?



Thanks,

MadMike

 

[phicks]

Mad Mike,

It would be the middle port.

 

[rono]

Where do you get the sensors and guages kits?

Ron

 

[MMead]

Go easy on me here... but what about just using a dipstick sensor?

 

[JimBob24]

Dipstick sensor and pan sensor are going to give you the same thing ..... the fluid temp in the pan, but that is after the hottest oil has left the trans and gone thru the oil/water cooler at the rear of the engine, then thru the cooler at the radiator, then back to the pan. It takes some time for the larger volume of oil in the pan to heat up. The oil coming directly out of the trans on its way to the coolers can change temp very quickly... long before the temp in the pan reflects the change. There can be a 30 deg or more drop in fluid temp after it goes through both coolers. You could easily reach an excessive fluid temp in the trans for a short period of time and never see it in the pan temp reading.

 

[red-rider]

DHalbroks,

Im pretty sure your sender is not going to fit into the housing, so your going to need the following from your local hardware store.

1/8NPT X 1/4NPT Bell Reducer and a 1/4NPT X 1/8NPT Bushing

I had the same problem, the supplies should run you about $3. 00 out the door, and should only take you about five minutes to install.

Remember to use Anti-seize though

 

[Matt400]

Does anyone know where the Dodge overheat sensor gets its reading?

Yes, its in the pan on the right front/passenger upper corner and turns the light on at 275. I use my gauge to determine when to pull over, using the output line would have me pulling over when the trans is not truly overheated. I put my sender in the pan next to where the factory thermistor is.



I also installed a second sender (as I had a spare) in the right rear test port, swapping the gauge cable from one to the other proved they were within 1 degree as I have a digital gauge. I agree the output line is the hottest but you are reading superheated fluid from the converter that dumps right into that line and not actual fluid temperature the transmission is being subjected to.



I suppose it all depends on what you want to use the gauge for. Use the line out if you plan on changing fluid based on # of fluid over temp events that you expose the truck to often.

Use the test port if you never overheat but want a better warning (of when to pull over) than the factory 275 and change fluid every 15K for towing, 30K empty.



Don't waste your time drilling the pan, I did.

 

[E2360]

duel senders

I put in two senders. One in the output line and one in a test port. Most of the time they are the same. tooling around town exactly the same. Towing at highway speeds the two vary with the trans being 20-40 lower than the cooler line. In stop and go traffic both creep up. Up a hill or backing while towing, the cooler line is much higher.



Seeing that it is the highest temp that effects the fluid, I put more weight on the cooler line.



Two senders/one gauge toggle between them with a spdt switch.



Just my 2 cents, not saying any one way is better than another. Guess it is most important that you are at least monitoring the temp.