Tranny temp. probe in pan?
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From: Wisconsin
Tranny temp. probe in pan?
I need to install a temp. sending probe in my 47RE for a guage. I planned on putting the probe in a aftermarket tranny pan. Is it ok to put the probe in the pan or should it be in line somewhere? Thanks
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From: Roseville, CA
Put it in the feed line to the tranny cooler, that is where it will be the hottest. I forget who I bought it from but I bought the line all set up for the sender. It was one on he vendors on this BB.
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From: Fort McMurray, Alberta
I think personally, that it would be much more accurate right in the pan, hence that is where all the heat is, not several feet away allowing time for cooling. I have had mine in the pan for 2 years now and find it to be excellent
Kevin
Kevin
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From: Hudson Valley N.Y.
Ask any transmission shop that knows what their talking about and they will tell you to put it in the pan.
The pan is where the filter draws fluid from to bathe the gears and supply pressure to the clutch packs and bands. This is what you want to monitor. The temp will be higher coming out of the torque converter to the cooler but if the cooler can't cope with the conditions the pan temp will reflect this.
Some have installed probes on both the pan and the outlet to the cooler so that they can compare and to have just one more gauge to look at
.
The pan is where the filter draws fluid from to bathe the gears and supply pressure to the clutch packs and bands. This is what you want to monitor. The temp will be higher coming out of the torque converter to the cooler but if the cooler can't cope with the conditions the pan temp will reflect this.
Some have installed probes on both the pan and the outlet to the cooler so that they can compare and to have just one more gauge to look at
.
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From: So. Cal.
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From: McDonough GA
Ask any transmission shop that knows what their talking about and they will tell you to put it in the pan.
The pan is where the filter draws fluid from to bathe the gears and supply pressure to the clutch packs and bands. This is what you want to monitor. The temp will be higher coming out of the torque converter to the cooler but if the cooler can't cope with the conditions the pan temp will reflect this.
Some have installed probes on both the pan and the outlet to the cooler so that they can compare and to have just one more gauge to look at .
The pan is where the filter draws fluid from to bathe the gears and supply pressure to the clutch packs and bands. This is what you want to monitor. The temp will be higher coming out of the torque converter to the cooler but if the cooler can't cope with the conditions the pan temp will reflect this.
Some have installed probes on both the pan and the outlet to the cooler so that they can compare and to have just one more gauge to look at
.
It matters nothing to bathe the trans internal parts in fluid that has already been cooked past its ability to retain the volatiles it needs. It matters exactly zero if you find out the the cooler can't handle its duties cuz the fluid is already roasted. There is a huge differential in time and temp between cooled fluid in the pan and the heat built in the TC. By the time the pan reflects a danger the trans is already well on its way to major problems with clutches and seals since this generally happens under heavy load.
Put it in the front line and monitor temps for time to slow down or shift down. Your transmission will thank you with a long happy life.
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From: Rockford, Illinois
I don't know how fast a pan mount would react but I have mine on the transmission line. I pull a boat that weighs in at #6300 empty. After a few stop lights and hills in the city can see temperature climb within 3-5 minutes. I can easly adjust my driving to cool it down just as fast. What was really surprising is when I back the boat up my driveway
It only takes me one try to get it there but the temperature will climb 180* easly. I idle it in the street and unload the truck in neutral to cool transmission when getting home. I did try 4wl, no difference. I understand reverse gear is not very efficient. I do not think a pan mount would be as responsive in my opinion, someone that has one could chime in and correct me if I'm wrong. Dieselmanor has the transmission line one for $20 or $30 I believe.
It only takes me one try to get it there but the temperature will climb 180* easly. I idle it in the street and unload the truck in neutral to cool transmission when getting home. I did try 4wl, no difference. I understand reverse gear is not very efficient. I do not think a pan mount would be as responsive in my opinion, someone that has one could chime in and correct me if I'm wrong. Dieselmanor has the transmission line one for $20 or $30 I believe.
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From: Sask, Canada
From a guy who works at DTT (Diesel Transmission Technology) - builders of high performance transmissions for modified diesel trucks. This is why my sender is in the hot line out to the cooler.
Where to install the transmission temp sensor is one of the most frequent question and discussions I have with guys. My question to you guys is this, why are you buying a gauge?
If you are buying a tranny temp gauge just so you have one and you can tell your friends you have one then you can pretty much put it wherever you want, as it really doesn’t matter in that case.
To me, a gauge is there to monitor tranny temps and indicate how often to change the oil. If you want a gauge for what I consider to be its primary functions then lets look at the oil. Oil temp is what we are trying to monitor so keeping that in mind lets look at the common places people install their gauges and what they are learning by doing so. Decide for yourselves where you want to monitor your tranny temps from and at what cost.
First lets deal with when and why tranny oil gets hot. Most will agree that trans temps are the hottest in stop and go traffic when the transmission is in first or second gear or in the reverse position, in most cases when trying to back up a trailer.
One of the favourite locations by people is the front servo on the passenger side of the transmission. The problem with that is there is no oil in that port in first gear, 2nd gear, or reverse so what are you measuring?
If you do have a transmission temp sensor in that port, take it out, not only is it not monitoring your oil it is probably causing damage to the transmission as the probe is most likely making contact with the servo spring.
Middle port passenger side better known as accumulator port is another, while this port does measure transmission temp in first, second, drive and od, it is measuring stagnant oil. It other words oil fills up and stays there. There is no oil present in the accumulator while you are in the reverse position. So it is useless to measure from this location also.
Another favourite place is in the reverse port on the passenger side. This port only has oil in the reverse and manual low positions. This means no oil in the in the drive position. I have had guys phone me arguing with me that they are seeing temps of 200 degrees while driving down the road in stop and go traffic when measuring from this port. My comment to that is congratulations we now know the temps of your tranny case, we can only guess at this point what your tranny temps are.
As far as I am concerned, there is only one location to accurately measure your tranny temps from. That is your transmission cooler outline. I have seen temps get as high as 300 degrees coming out of that line. That line sees every 20 seconds 1 quart of oil pumped through it at 1100 rpms. 3.8 gallons at 2100 rpms every minute, in 3 minutes you have pumped out basically 12 gallons of oil. So lets say you see temps of 300 degrees from this line and you have pumped it through your tranny At this point in time you can change the oil in your tranny or you can wait a little longer and change your tranny , rest assured you will be doing one or the other. I don’t make any extra money selling you guys the Chrysler lines, I give you the number we use, 5011244AA. The 1995 and earlier trucks it is a little more difficult to hook up the tranny temp gauge, but the 96 and later trucks you guys only have one choice, use the Chrysler line if you tow and want an accurate reading. To me, a gauge is there to monitor temps and indicate how often to change the oil.
Here's the line you need for your 3rd gen truck:
DIESEL MANOR TRANS TEMP GAUGE COOLER LINE
Where to install the transmission temp sensor is one of the most frequent question and discussions I have with guys. My question to you guys is this, why are you buying a gauge?
If you are buying a tranny temp gauge just so you have one and you can tell your friends you have one then you can pretty much put it wherever you want, as it really doesn’t matter in that case.
To me, a gauge is there to monitor tranny temps and indicate how often to change the oil. If you want a gauge for what I consider to be its primary functions then lets look at the oil. Oil temp is what we are trying to monitor so keeping that in mind lets look at the common places people install their gauges and what they are learning by doing so. Decide for yourselves where you want to monitor your tranny temps from and at what cost.
First lets deal with when and why tranny oil gets hot. Most will agree that trans temps are the hottest in stop and go traffic when the transmission is in first or second gear or in the reverse position, in most cases when trying to back up a trailer.
One of the favourite locations by people is the front servo on the passenger side of the transmission. The problem with that is there is no oil in that port in first gear, 2nd gear, or reverse so what are you measuring?
If you do have a transmission temp sensor in that port, take it out, not only is it not monitoring your oil it is probably causing damage to the transmission as the probe is most likely making contact with the servo spring.
Middle port passenger side better known as accumulator port is another, while this port does measure transmission temp in first, second, drive and od, it is measuring stagnant oil. It other words oil fills up and stays there. There is no oil present in the accumulator while you are in the reverse position. So it is useless to measure from this location also.
Another favourite place is in the reverse port on the passenger side. This port only has oil in the reverse and manual low positions. This means no oil in the in the drive position. I have had guys phone me arguing with me that they are seeing temps of 200 degrees while driving down the road in stop and go traffic when measuring from this port. My comment to that is congratulations we now know the temps of your tranny case, we can only guess at this point what your tranny temps are.
As far as I am concerned, there is only one location to accurately measure your tranny temps from. That is your transmission cooler outline. I have seen temps get as high as 300 degrees coming out of that line. That line sees every 20 seconds 1 quart of oil pumped through it at 1100 rpms. 3.8 gallons at 2100 rpms every minute, in 3 minutes you have pumped out basically 12 gallons of oil. So lets say you see temps of 300 degrees from this line and you have pumped it through your tranny At this point in time you can change the oil in your tranny or you can wait a little longer and change your tranny , rest assured you will be doing one or the other. I don’t make any extra money selling you guys the Chrysler lines, I give you the number we use, 5011244AA. The 1995 and earlier trucks it is a little more difficult to hook up the tranny temp gauge, but the 96 and later trucks you guys only have one choice, use the Chrysler line if you tow and want an accurate reading. To me, a gauge is there to monitor temps and indicate how often to change the oil.
Here's the line you need for your 3rd gen truck:
DIESEL MANOR TRANS TEMP GAUGE COOLER LINE
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Alta Loma, CA
Every tranny guy I have ever spoke to says put it in the pan. Never has one recommended putting it in the output line. When I get my Mag Hytec pan I'll be putting it in there. In the meantime I have it in the test port on the passesger side.