All,

Today I noticed at cold start up my trans temp gauge was up about 1/4 way. After driving a mile or so it went into the normal range (half way) and stayed there. after sitting bout 6 hours went to start up again and gauge was at 1/2 way (normal).

Does this mean gauge is bad? Send unit (if it has one) bad? Any help is appreciated!


Thanks

JD
2002 f250 auto 7.3

 

The in dash gauge is known around these parts to be just shy of useless. I really wouldn't pay any attention to it unless you are towing, and then only if tranny temp is something you're concerned with at that point (i.e. hot day, heavy load, hills, etc...) Another reason to buy gauges! PMS strikes us all at some point.

 

What part of the country are you in? Outside temps or fluid near the line that hasnt dissapated heat may contribute, but you know better then anyone where it normally stays right?

 

I'm in Alb NM, needle on gauge comes up to half way point when at normal op temp. Only had it rise near yellow during towing and steep grade. Pulled over and let cool down. Never seen it get stuck, strange thing tho when key is inserted and ignition is turned on needle drops all the way down from half way then moves back to half way point.

k2vailkid, curious about your turbo amplification mod. what is that??

JD

 

It's the extremely tedious task of shredding the insulation off of the Turbo to intercooler (Hot Side) pipe. It works well for adding turbo noise to the interior of your rig. I used a wire wheel to clean it up and re-polish the pipe.

 

anyone know how to remove the trans bypass cooler valve? I saw a kit online that had threaded plugs to replace the valve assembly but I can't remember the website.

JD

 

The stock trans gauge just looks cool. Its function is to tell you the trans is not at 250*. At 230* is when you need to cool off. Its basically a dummy light. For real tempatures(at to better monitor your trans) buy an aftermarket gauge?(autometer,isspro,etc etc).

There was a topic just earlier this week about removing it and some people said to keep it, some said to ditch it. IDK what side I would take after reading that post.

 

Yea I remember someone posting that the stock trans gauge really only has three positions, cold, normal, and oops,too late!

 

you are exactly right... i ran my tranny up to about 220 to 230 degrees last summer towing the 5ver up a STEEP mountain road... now the moral of the story... the stock tranny temp gauge NEVER MOVED, NOT EVEN A LITTLE..!! I'll tell you straight up, take it out or leave it in, whichever you choose, but NEVER EVER EVER trust that gauge to warn you that your tranny is getting too hot... by the time that stupid thing makes a move upwards, it's already too late... this is why you need an aftermarket gauge... it will show you that your tranny is getting warmer, warmer, hot, hotter, hotter, too hot... you will see the temps slowly rising if you are paying attention and you will have plenty of time to make plans to pull over and let the tranny cool off if you need to...

 

johnny8 nailed it right on the head. An aftermarket tranny guage is the way to go for towing and/or racing (and even normal) applications. I've heard a couple of stories where people have cooked their trannys and their stock dash guage never moved from the middle.