How are folks reading transmission temperatures in 2023? The tech in our trucks haven't changed, but we are all walking around with computers in our pockets.

The last time I needed to read my transmission temperature after a drain and fill, I used a friend's ScanGuage. Unfortunately I do not have access to it this time.

I think I should be able to use a jumper wire on the OBD2 port in conjunction with one of the lights on the dash to check the temperature, but I have never tried to do this yet.

I really don't want to buy a ScanGuage. I would rather buy some Bluetooth OBD2 scanner and use my phone to read and display. Btw, I am using an iPhone as opposed to an Android device.

Would like to hear your opinions on the following:

1) What method are you using? E.g., jumper (assuming that is valid method) or OBD 2 scanner.

2) How does the OBD2 scanner like a ScanGuage read the temperature? Does it reference a memory location to calculate it? If the ScanGuage can do it, then I assume any OBD2 scanner can do it assuming you can enter an advanced function to do so.

thanks!

I use the BlueDriver obd2. Seems to work well. It’s a little tough to read live data while driving. Would be nice if the app had an Apple CarPlay integration . The trans temp changes so it’s live data through an ecu. It must be purely diagnostic as the truck doesn’t do anything with it

Since 2018, I've used OBD Fusion for iPhone with the $9.99 Toyota enhanced diagnostics add-on and this reader and get this result on my phone screen (after setting content and display format as desired):

Thanks. I started looking at the OBD Fusion page. They reference some more adapters there. Was looking at this one:

Amazon.com: Veepeak OBDCheck BLE Bluetooth OBD II Scanner Auto Diagnostic Scan Tool for iOS & Android, Bluetooth 4.0 Car Check Engine Light Code Reader : Automotive

It is on sale plus has a coupon code from ODB Fusion. It puts the adapter at $23.99 before tax. Seems like a good buy. Any thoughts on getting this adapter instead?


EDIT: Forgot to add. I am using Apple Car Play as well so I am not sure if it makes sense to get a BlueTooth one over Wi-Fi or vice versa. In a perfect world it would be nice to be able to use both at the same time.

I use an ultra gauge for general monitoring

When I did a drain and fill though, I jumped the pins. These a good tacomaholic video on getting it into temp check mode

Good observation re: Bluetooth. The one I have is wifi and the phone has to connect to the scanner's network, but the scanner data is all it does, there's no web access or anything like that. To my knowledge, the phone can't use cell data for things like GPS and podcasts while connected to a non-internet wifi network. So yes, if I were doing it again, I'd get a scanner that connects using Bluetooth.

I just did this to mine. I have an Autel MaxAP200 it will give a live reading of your data. It comes with a lifetime subscription to one make when you buy it so I obviously picked Toyota. I have used the live data for other things but I used the Matco scanner from my work to monitor my live temp reading when I was checking trans fluid.

My Kenwood DMX head unit with Maestro pulls info & some temps from the OBD and displays on the head unit. I can also see tire pressure and tire temps which is cool.



But from my understanding the OBD is not going to give super accurate info?

Thanks guys. I appreciate all the information. Looks like I have several options available.

Thats what I wish I did when I upgraded my head unit

When I replaced my stereo several years ago from Crutchfield, I went with the Pac interface instead of the other option which uses the iDatalink Maestro interface. Although I don't believe you can get the trans temp, it would have been a nice feature to be able to display other info. I guess I didn't realize at the time what I would use it for. I called up Crutchfield the other day and it would cost a bit over $200 to add it now. Next time around I will go that route.

Yeah, I didn't even know this head unit in combo with iDatalink Maestro interface gave this much info when i purchased. So it was a really awesome surprise finding it. It has another page with additional info but no trans temp.

Using the iphone is handy but limited. I have been considering the Innova 5160rs used on ebay. They usually sell around $160 shipped on ebay. And I believe is has live stream date like trans temp. Scotty demo’d it and its pretty fast

5160RS FixAssist Pro – Innova

Im honestly a fan of the scanguage. I have it set to read my trans temp, coolant temp, voltage, and mpgs. I have it right behind my steering wheel so its always in view. It keeps my phone free so I can keep it away or in my pocket.
It can also read and clear codes if they ever come up.

Valid point. I would mount the ScanGuage in that spot as well and leave it connected all the time. The iPhone solution for me would used only as needed.