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Auto Transmission + Temp Sensor

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Old Apr 30, 2015 | 07:27 PM
  #1  
catbones's Avatar
catbones
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Auto Transmission + Temp Sensor

I've got. 2003 F150 FX4 and I'm trying to find a photo where I can install my transmission temp gauge. All I've seen was the 100s trannies on 250s and 350s.

Anyone with a photo and location?
 
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Old Apr 30, 2015 | 08:57 PM
  #2  
Bluegrass 7's Avatar
Bluegrass 7
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There are some things you should consider in the placement of the temperature sensor.
1. In the transmission Pan.
2. In the transmission case.
3. In the cooling line outlet from the converter to the radiator cooler.
All these locations respond differently for how soon and at what temperature value the readings indicates.
*
Position info.
1. In the pan, the fluid temperature is well after the fact and delayed when sensing the pan temperature only.
2. In the trans case location, the sensor responds to the case, the fluid and engine heat flow through the bell housing.
3. In the outlet from the converter you see the quickest temperature change versus load and of course the cool down is very rapid
In this position you see the highest temperatures right out of the converter. These temperature reading will be much higher under load such as towing and can be a concern the first time you see the temperatures.
These higher temperatures are there whether you monitor there or not.
In my opinion this is the better location to see faster what is happening rather than seeing the results later in the Pan area when it may be to late due to the huge heat lag time..
Good spec fluid is well rated to at least 260+ degrees before significant fluid breakdown begins to degrade the fluid.
At the converter you could well see 260 degrees under high and heavy long time loads in summertime towing but would be normal because it happens anyway under those conditions.
Normal empty running should produce temps in the location of about 145 degrees +/- and responds quickly to in town running, in or out of OD, ambient temp differences, loading etc.
One other item is Pan volume. Larger pans delay the average temperature level time from a cold start, delays OD upshift until fluid temp gets to about 98 degrees and is of little value in extra cooling but does provide more fluid in cases of leakage.
More than you thought about but well to know about the different options you have.
Good luck.
 
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Old May 1, 2015 | 10:18 AM
  #3  
catbones's Avatar
catbones
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Originally Posted by Bluegrass 7
There are some things you should consider in the placement of the temperature sensor.
1. In the transmission Pan.
2. In the transmission case.
3. In the cooling line outlet from the converter to the radiator cooler.
All these locations respond differently for how soon and at what temperature value the readings indicates.
*
Position info.
1. In the pan, the fluid temperature is well after the fact and delayed when sensing the pan temperature only.
2. In the trans case location, the sensor responds to the case, the fluid and engine heat flow through the bell housing.
3. In the outlet from the converter you see the quickest temperature change versus load and of course the cool down is very rapid
In this position you see the highest temperatures right out of the converter. These temperature reading will be much higher under load such as towing and can be a concern the first time you see the temperatures.
These higher temperatures are there whether you monitor there or not.
In my opinion this is the better location to see faster what is happening rather than seeing the results later in the Pan area when it may be to late due to the huge heat lag time..
Good spec fluid is well rated to at least 260+ degrees before significant fluid breakdown begins to degrade the fluid.
At the converter you could well see 260 degrees under high and heavy long time loads in summertime towing but would be normal because it happens anyway under those conditions.
Normal empty running should produce temps in the location of about 145 degrees +/- and responds quickly to in town running, in or out of OD, ambient temp differences, loading etc.
One other item is Pan volume. Larger pans delay the average temperature level time from a cold start, delays OD upshift until fluid temp gets to about 98 degrees and is of little value in extra cooling but does provide more fluid in cases of leakage.
More than you thought about but well to know about the different options you have.
Good luck.
Thanks for that detailed info. I think just to monitor an about temp, I'm trying to figure out which hole to pop this sensor in on the tranny case... maybe in the near future since my pan is rusky as heck I may put it there too. Thanks for the info.
 
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Old May 1, 2015 | 10:25 AM
  #4  
catbones's Avatar
catbones
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From: Buffalo, NY
So here is the driver side of my transmission 4R70W... as you can see the pan, needs replacement. However so if I'm correct that is the test port circled in red??

Just take that out and put the sensor in it or do I need some kind of converter fitting.

Can anyone confirm?

 
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Old May 1, 2015 | 04:10 PM
  #5  
Mark Kovalsky's Avatar
Mark Kovalsky
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Take that plug out and install the sensor. It is a 1/8 NPT thread, which is what most of the sensors have.
 
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