Trans Oil Cooler? and Location

[dakotajeep]

Got the temp gauge installed in the drivers side port. I saw temps rise up to 190F and stay there. These temps were exactly the same as my engine temp.

I havent installed the filter since I havent recieved my cooler yet and I want to do it all at the same time to reduce the workload and mess.....

Well now that I have looked at the filter I noticed the filter head has a port in it for the temp gauge. The instructions leave something to be desired.

Is the filter head a good enough location?
Thad

 

[gandalf]

Got the temp gauge installed in the drivers side port. I saw temps rise up to 190F and stay there. These temps were exactly the same as my engine temp.

I havent installed the filter since I havent recieved my cooler yet and I want to do it all at the same time to reduce the workload and mess.....

Well now that I have looked at the filter I noticed the filter head has a port in it for the temp gauge. The instructions leave something to be desired.

Is the filter head a good enough location?
Thad

That's good progress. I agree with you in waiting to install the filter. There's no sense tearing the lines apart twice.

I believe you'll get a higher temp reading at the filter head than at the driver's side port. I seem to recall that. It comes down to a matter of preference. As long as you know what to expect, and you establish a baseline reading, either port will work.

Be sure to take pictures for us all. They provide useful ideas and information on procedures, and, of course, we always like to see what other people are doing.

 

[GenLightening]

Well now that I have looked at the filter I noticed the filter head has a port in it for the temp gauge. The instructions leave something to be desired.

Is the filter head a good enough location?
Thad

I read that the filterhead will show about 30 degrees higher than the port in the trans. Mine is also in the filterhead and it shows about 230 when towing, but drops to about 190 when the TC locks up. I may move it to the trans just to see how much lower it really is.

 

[dakotajeep]

Alright, I installed the filter since I wouldnt have to touch the lines twice once I looked at everything. Now I just need that cooler and I will be good to go!

I will take pictures of everything when I am done.......

I might show a picture of what happens when you get in a hurry and dont put the temp sensor in and start the pickup.....I might have a gallon of tranny fluid on the floor......I got to learn to slow down!!!!!!

 

[dakotajeep]

Ok, I wired the temp sensor to the filter head and now the gauge is reading full deflection to the 320F side. I am thinking that something is wrong because the engine is just idling in the driveway and I havent run it except to check the mail.

I have no idea what the reason for the deflection could be. It was working fine when it was in the pan now it is crazy OR the tranny is really that hot which is unimaginable....

Any thoughts?

Thad

 

[GenLightening]

Check the wire and connector to see if it's grounded anywhere, that would make the gauge peg.

 

[dakotajeep]

Ok, its not pegged its actually "reading" 320F. The only thing that I can think is that the location I mounted the filter head is not grounded like it was in the transmission port.

It seems like its reading on the wrong side of the gauge. The numbers are 140F to 320F. I think it should be reading closer to the 140F side and not the 320F. I have tried swapping wires and grounding things but I am just not sure.

Should the sensor itself have to be grounded? The gauge is grounded and the diagram that came from Perma cool shows that it should be. BUT when I had the sensor in the trans port it worked without a ground wire.....I am super confused.

I REALLY HATE electricity!!!

Thad


Is there any way it would ACTUALLUY be 320F idling in the driveway right after the first start of the day? The engine temp is right at 190F like always.....

 

[GenLightening]

Does the reading start at 320 when you turn the key on? Or does it start at 0 and then gradually climb up? The sensor should be grounded through the filter body (depends on what sealer you used on the threads). The sensor changes resistance based on it's temp and the gauge reads that. If it has a bad ground it will change the reading. You may want to add a ground wire to one of the mounting bolts and then to a clean spot on the frame.

 

[dakotajeep]

The sensor changes resistance based on it's temp and the gauge reads that. If it has a bad ground it will change the reading. You may want to add a ground wire to one of the mounting bolts and then to a clean spot on the frame.

It starts at 140F when there is no power but as soon as I add power it jumps straight to 320F.

I think that I am going to remove the filter head and clean the surface. Thats most likely the issue....

Thanks
Thad

 

[gandalf]

I too think it's a grounding issue. The gauge should be fine if it worked before--no additional ground needed. Do not ground the sensor itself. Your gauge would simply be reading to ground. It's got to be that the cooler mounting, into which you screwed the sensor, is not grounding properly. If you need to, run an extra ground wire/strap to the frame. Be sure you get good contact.

I realize this is pretty much a repeat of the above, but it's important.

Your other option, of course, is to put the sensor back in the port on the transmission.

 

[GenLightening]

Also, make sure the sensor is tight in the filterhead. Otherwise the teflon tape, or sealer, make be keeping it from gounding properly.

 

[dakotajeep]

I cleaned the surface where the filter head and the frame contacted. It works fine now. I just got lazy and assumed there was a good ground.

Thanks!

 

[GenLightening]

Don't you love it when it's something simple, that you should have done the first time!

 

[Optikalillushun]

thank u gandalf for posting those numbers, i put a drain plug in my trans pan on my 93 F-150 and it leaks a little. i was lookin for those part numbers and u posted em which was swell. now instead of messing with the original pan ill order that one.

for the trans cooler, i done care much for the tube and fin style. the stacked plate version is better IMHO.

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here is another tip, if ur truck is slow to enguage reverse or doesnt seem like it wants to shift right the filter could be falling out of the hole so i made a simple bracket to hold it in place.

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[dakotajeep]

Don't you love it when it's something simple, that you should have done the first time!

NO! I actually hate that.....I usually fail when it comes to details.....lol

optikal,

Nice addition. This may be a good start to a Transmission Sticky......minus all my stupid shananigans.......

Thanks
Thad