Hi, I am in the process of installing a tranny temp gauge for my truck (01 Supercrew 4X4). The B&M kit says to install the temp sender in the return line from the cooler. This to me doesn't seem right. I was wondering if the pan install (requires drilling and welding) or one of the pressure testing ports is better? Is there a prefered location?

Cheers

Spiff

 

The return line is the proper location.

 

Hi Warwagon, thanks for the reply. I am not mechanically inclined so please bear with me. Can you tell me why the return line is the prefered location? I would have thought that since heat is the main culprit for tranny fluid degradation, that the peak temp of the fluid would be in the line going to the cooler?

Thanks

Spiff

 

You want the sender in the line coming from the transmission before it enters the cooler.

That way you can monitor real time temperature.
Not after it has been cooled.

 

That's how I have mine. In the line that goes from the transmission to the cooler.....before the fluid gets cooled. This would give you the hottest reading that your transmission will experience and thus make reading this chart more practical:

http://www.tciauto.com/tech_info/tra...expectancy.htm

 

That is what I kiinda figured.


Thanks guys
Spiff

 

I guess there are many schools of thought on this one. One thing to consider is that by putting it in the line to the cooler you are also getting the fluid after the torque converter heats it. Ideally, I guess, would be to measure it before it goes to the converter. I guess it doesn't matter, as long as "you" know where you are getting your reading.

 

Ditto on what stuart1 said.

I have to disagree with you warwagon, the primary reason is to make sure the fluid stays under 200 no matter what device heats it. If the fluid goes over 200 it begins to degrade and that lessens it's ability to lube your transmission. If the hottest your fluid hits is 200 then chances are everything is fine in transmissionland.

This works well as a stress meter too. If your transmission normally runs 130, and today you're towing over big hills and it's almost 200 then you are pushing it too hard.

 

Your point is well taken and you are free to diagree, but I have always installed the sender on the return by way of advice from B&M. I think the know w little more than we do.

 

Boy does my typing suck today !

 

I doubt that.
I was a transmission rebuilder long before B&M were invented.

It stands to reason the hottest fluid will be coming out of the convertor.
A sensor in the cooler line exiting the transmission prior to entering the cooler gives you real time temperature.

Then if it gets too hot you can take your foot out of it.
If it is in the return line this will show cooler temperature.
By the time this temperature reads in the hot zone it is game over for the transmission.


B&M are also the ones to tell you to leave the separator plate gaskets out of the valve body when installing one of their shift kits.
Ha.

 

whatever.....I'm not going to get in a pissing contest over it.

 

Just adding some of my 50 years of transmission experience.

 

Thanks for the thoughts guys.

Spiff

 

http://www.automatictransmission.com...p?NewsId=12031