My truck has a bit of an interesting trait. Unless it's just about freezing, my transmission is just about always at operating temperature. If it's 50*F outside and I start the truck, the Trans temp is smack dab in the middle. If it's 30*F outside it starts just a little above cold then is "warmed up" when I drive it down my short street block, which ain't right.

All the rest of the time, it's always reading middle of the bar temperature. My old 5.4L never did this. My 7.3L does. Best I can tell is it's a fault in the temperature sensor for the transmission. I don't have a scan gauge yet to get the readings but will be getting one. Just need to know where the sensor is at so I can have a starting point.

 

It's on the solenoid body inside the pan. You can't replace the sensor by itself, you'll need to replace the entire solenoid body.

Once you have replaced it, you'll find the new one does the exact same thing. The gauge is programmed to be right in the middle of normal when the trans temp is between 50F and 230F. To change this you'll need to change the software in the processor that controls the gauges.

 

Got it. I figured the ranges were less swooping than that but now that I see that it's just an idiot light... Got it.

I'll just change the transmission fluid and call it a day.

Thanks! Great to get it straight from the master. Haha.

 

Best bet is to put a real trans temp gauge on it. There is a port on the front drivers side just above the pan mounting flange between the first two bolts.