I have a 03 SD 6L with the torqshift trans. I think the temp sender is on it's last legs. Today driving along the temp gauge spiked into the red and the check gage light and the tow haul light came on blinking. The tranny shifted fine so i kept drive watching the gage, it would come back to normal and then keep going down to cold and thats when to T/H light stopped blinking, and then starts all over again. My ? is could this be just the sender, and were would this tranny temp sender be located.
Thks..

 

Our 03 did the same thing. The sensor was located inside the transmission oil pan. You got to drop the pan to see it.

 

thks for the info

 

Same thing was happening to me and had the trans temp sensor replaced 2 weeks ago. No problems since.

 

Do you happen to have a part number or know how much this tranny oil temp sensor costs? My 03 seems to be doing the same...tranny temp normal, then pegs hot w/ flashing T/H button...

 

It's called the TFT sensor.

 

Over the counter price is around $75 and to give you an idea of the size of it, you could put about 30 of them in a pack of cigarettes. If your going to let Ford replace it expect to pay several hundred. If you decide to do it yourself, it's a fairly easy job and will only cost you the price of the sensor and 8 qt. of SP or LV fluid. If you do a search, you will find detailed instructions on replacing the sensor.

 

Thanks Guys for the quick feedback! I've dropped the tranny pan before to replace the internal filter at 100K. Will go ahead and get the TFT sensor...however, I forgot to mention that also the check engine icon light (lower left side) came on...I'm assuming that there must be a code thrown and that this will 'go away' once i replace the TFT sensor...

Cheers,
Gus

 

Just a thought, you can get a tranny temp gauge from autometer for $40

 

Thanks for the tip, not a bad idea to have a second tranny temp gage.
Gus

 

The gauge on the dash is just for looks. Once you get a good gauge in there you will figure that out.

 

Remember to turn the sensor 90 degrees before pulling it down, it's T shaped on the end so it can twist lock in place. Easiest way to remove it is with needle nose pliers. P.S. keep your face clear when you remove it because another few oz. of fluid will squirt out, do you want to know how I know?

 

Hi ljutic,

OK, i think i know the answer, but how do you know about the extra fluid?
Cheers,
Gus

 

Well the extra few oz's of fluid went down the front of my neck and T shirt. The only good thing to come of it was warming my chest last March. The bad part was smelling like SP for a few days because the odor don't wash off easy.

 

Thanks again guys for the tip on the TFT sensor.

I replaced it over the weekend.
I rotated it 90 degrees and pulled (considerable force) which caused the little plastic thermocouple housing to snap off inside the tranny.
But i was able to get the rest of it out with a very small pair of needle nose pliers.
Everything is back to normal now.

Cheers,
Gus