Help. ATF Temp Check

[Tironeous]

Drained my transmission fluid and exchanged via trans cooler outlet line and filled via fill plug. Now it’s time to get the fluid up to the proper temp and check the level via the overflow plug. In the OBD port I’ve jumped the top 4th one in from the left with the 5th one on the bottom. I’m going from N to D to N a few times and the A/T temp check light won’t turn on. Any suggestions on how to properly enter the A/t temp check mode?


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[UrbanRunner651]

Go from D to N several times rapidly then back to P. Might just be not going quick enough or enough cycles.
Personally, I have a temp reader on my ultragauge but after doing a drain/fill multiple times just turn it over and let it idle for a couple minutes. Cycle through the gears and rev the RPMs slightly. usually takes about 10-15min to get into the appropriate temp range. Crawl underneath and put your hand on the pan. It should be hot, but not too hot that you cant hold contact for a few seconds. That should get you close enough to the target temp to check the level.

 

[Tironeous]

I’m thinking maybe it was already warm? I had driven around a bit a few hours earlier. When I did the initial pan drain I removed the overflow first and some fluid came out. More than just a trickle. It was warm but I didn’t get burned or anything.

I let the truck sit overnight and will check today after work. I work from home so it will be sitting all day.

If that doesn’t work I’ve ordered an OBD scanner with Bluetooth ($30). I plan on
using the OBD Fusion app ($10) and buying the Toyota add on ($10). It’s probably useful to have one of these anyway.


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[Drcoffee]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpGIBJPnJX4&feature=youtu.be

 

[Tironeous]

Tried the procedure again today after letting it sit overnight. It worked like a charm! This leads me to believe the truck was warm yesterday and possibly already within the range or above the range.

Sometimes you just gotta step away and revisit it later.


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[Ericcamaro]

As said above. Just run it and check pan temp with your hand every couple minutes once it's borderline hot to the touch, like the plates at a Mexican restaurant, your good to go. Don't forget to cycle gears or your fluid level will come up short.

 

[firebirdguy]

As said above. Just run it and check pan temp with your hand every couple minutes once it's borderline hot to the touch, like the plates at a Mexican restaurant, your good to go. Don't forget to cycle gears or your fluid level will come up short.

he did the correct toyota temp check & it worked the next day when trans was fully cooled.

as for the "hand on the pan" thing, probably not a very accurate way to check trans fluid, your hand is not calibrated to read the proper temp, could be off either way by 10-20* or more. the toyota temp procedure is super easy to do & avoids any guess work, or buy a $20 infrared temp gauge to verify the pan temp. & the pan temps vary depending on the location you are checking, best to use the procedure as its designed.

& cycling the gears doesnt affect the fluid level, its intended to let new fluid get into all the passages of the valve body.

 

[Tironeous]

Yea I eventually got it to work. I wouldn’t really trust testing it by holding my hand there. I have a the factory external trans cooler (not built into the rad but an extra cooler) and it took quite a while to get up to temp. Over 20 minutes on a 55F afternoon. There’s no reason to shortcut it when there’s a produce in service manuals for checking this but to each his own I guess.


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[Bluesky 07]

Tried the procedure again today after letting it sit overnight. It worked like a charm! This leads me to believe the truck was warm yesterday and possibly already within the range or above the range.

Sometimes you just gotta step away and revisit it later.


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In case this is helpful to anyone checking this thread, your assumption was correct. The FSM states that the temp check procedure must begin with the fluid temp at less than 86° F before it's warmed up to where the light signals the correct range.

 

[AuSeeker]

In case this is helpful to anyone checking this thread, your assumption was correct. The FSM states that the temp check procedure must begin with the fluid temp at less than 86° F before it's warmed up to where the light signals the correct range.

So I guess we can't check the fluid level in the height of summer when it's 90+* or higher, I guess I need to reschedule when I plan on doing a fluid exchange! :doh: