Towing today for the first time in hot temperatures (about 94F), I was driving the Interstate at about 65 mph, running about 14 pounds boost. I was changing in and out of overdrive by readings on the transmission temperature gauge, and all was well, then I looked down and saw I'd pegged the transmission temperature gauge, which with my gauge is over 280F. Only a minute or two before it had been reading normal about 220-230F. I immediately backed off the throttle and put her in neutral, and within 3 seconds the temperature on the gauge came down to 240F.

I coasted under light throttle for a couple of miles, and there seemed to be no problems, the temps dropped and stayed around 220F. First chance I got I pulled into a closed weigh station. Pulling in, when I started to use more throttle, I saw the temperature on the gauge starting to climb really fast. I backed off again and this time the temperature came down within 1-1/2 seconds. I stopped and checked the oil. Didn't look or smell burnt, and right at the full mark. Now 240F within a couple of minutes I could buy, but 280+ that's hard to believe. I'm guessing a faulty gage or sender. Rest of the way home (another 50 miles) I had no problems, the temps would run higher than I'm used to, but not over 230F. But there again I was really taking notice of what was happening.

I'm running Isspro gauges. Anyone else seen anything like this?

John

 

Temps can climb faster than you can blink, i pulled a 450g dozer and by time i was to the road, wich is a 1/4 mile it was hot as well as the engine. but dont panic , the temp gauges are cheap swap it out if you feel the need, but my guess is its really hot. but 280 is a bit much unless you were working the snot out of her.

our trannys like 180 degrees its their designed operating temp, if your pulling a load and its getting warm first thing check the fan make sure its working, second get a auxillery cooler, its cheap insurance.

my 89 has 1/2 od steel lines, the later ones used 5/8, just make sure the cooler has the right size,,,restricting your flow wont help cool it, might even run warmer.

 

where do you tap in for a tranny temp guage?

my cooler (big factory one mounted at rear of truck) has been running a bit lately, since ambiant has got up to 78F

I was at 15100# GCVW yesterday, with only my baby tractor (farmall cub) and JD rider mower, on the 'Eager-Beaver' 26,000GW trailer. When I get the 'crawler' loaded, up I think I'll see 28,000#. I need to haul it about 150 miles, and it ain't exactly flat around here.

question... rent a real truck, or use the 1st gen?

janb

 

Are you suggesting a 1st gen is not a "real truck"?!?!

Why I outta...

 

whoops. sorry, my slip

 

I have a feeling the factory cooler is about useless, at least down here in FL. I normally see 190-210 driving empty and I think it's time for a aux cooler.

If I see the temp rising at lights I shift into neutral and let it cool down while I'm sitting there waiting.

Somebody (wish I could remeber...chime in) posted about a coolor/fan setup they purchasedand I think I'll be purchasing the same deal which was something along the lines of a Flex-a-lite - Oil Cooler, 10 1/ 2 in. x 15 in. x 4 1/ 4 in. Cooler, 10 in. Fan, 1/ 2 in. NPT Female, Kit - FLX-45951 (summit number)
and a remote switch PRM-18907

 

I'm hooked in to the transmission outlet, before it normally goes to the engine cooler, or in my case the auxilliary cooler.

What gets me is the speed at which it came back down. I've never seen it do that before. It has always taken minutes, not seconds. That's why I think it might be a gauge problem.

John