Thinking of adding a transmission temp gauge

[thegipper]

So I'm thinking I want to add a transmission temp gauge to my 97 auto 4R.

I bought a relatively large boat that I will be pulling around next spring and I want to keep an eye on the tranny temp. If the tranny is running too warm, I'll add a tranny cooler if need be. I'm in Wisconsin so it normally doesn't get real warm but I'm paranoid and would rather know what the exact tranny temp was at all times. My 97 does not have one built in so my Torque app is useless in this regard.

Does anyone want to show off theirs and what product they went with? Is there an "easier" route as far as what product to buy? Does anyone make a 3rd gen 4runner specific one that involves the least amount of work?

Where do you normally install the sensor itself?

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[thegipper]

I was thinking of buying this one, anyone have experience with glow shift gauges?

Also, should I hook the sensor up the sending line to the tranny cooler or is there a port on the transmission I can screw it into?

Thanks again

 

[cbr900boy]

So I'm thinking I want to add a transmission temp gauge to my 97 auto 4R.

I bought a relatively large boat that I will be pulling around next spring and I want to keep an eye on the tranny temp. If the tranny is running too warm, I'll add a tranny cooler if need be. I'm in Wisconsin so it normally doesn't get real warm but I'm paranoid and would rather know what the exact tranny temp was at all times. My 97 does not have one built in so my Torque app is useless in this regard.

Does anyone want to show off theirs and what product they went with? Is there an "easier" route as far as what product to buy? Does anyone make a 3rd gen 4runner specific one that involves the least amount of work?

Where do you normally install the sensor itself?

Thanks for any suggestions.

My post is #66, all the information you need is in the post including pictures. I have a 98 which also does not have the factory temp sensor.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/217667-trans-temps-bypassing-using-external-cooler-5.html#post2442385

 

[LittleCaesar]

PM fellow member [MENTION=44978]kball[/MENTION]. His installation was very clean and simple, yet quite functional.

 

[4racer]

Here's a how to for the sending unit.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/221383-how-transmission-temp-sending-unit.html

 

[ThorInc]

You can't go wrong with Auto Meter gauges but I use Jeggs for my engine oil pressure & coolant temps. Not sure who makes the Jeggs as they are generally a tad bit cheaper than Auto Meter.

 

[Black798]

I have a glowshift tinted 7 series mounted in my center console in front of the transfer case shiftier. I have had it in for a few months now and have had no issues with it at all. I mounted my temp sensor in the pan but that is by far the most intensive way to do it since you have to add a port for the sensor. There is a lot of debate as to which spot is the best but I prefer in the pan since its where the bulk of your fluid is at a constant temp, but the most common spot is in the send line to the cooler.

 

[absalom]

Is the concensus that bypassing the factory cooler allows trans temps to fluctuate too wildly?

 

[jgue467]

I did it for 5 years and about 100K miles, I wouldn't say the trans temps fluctuated too wildly but on west texas mountain passes (mild) if I didn't turn OD off it would hit 237, OD on 190.

In austin town where we can get 40-90 100+ degree days a year, it would hit 219 in stop/go traffic.

I recently replaced the radiator. Now i've got the external cooler getting the fluid first then the radiator cooler. In the same situations I now can leave OD on and not get above 190 and even then the temps drop to 170 within 60 seconds after the peak.

So on second thought maybe we could consider those older temps somewhat high (wild) fluctuations?

 

[ZionXIX]

How do you guys wire your sender in? I was thinking of getting the mechanical type with a added electric light that would need to be wired in.
I was thinking maybe one of the radio wires with a one of those piercing wire tap gizmos.

 

[thegipper]

So doing the T method tapping into the sending line to the cooler appears to be the way to hook it up. Where is the tranny temp sensor mounted in the later models?

Is there no "test port" on the transmission or do guys not use it because it won't give you an accurate reading? Seems like most of the gauge manufacturers suggest to just hook it up to the test port.

 

[thegipper]

Is there any reason why I couldn't just buy this from glowshift? It's a 3/8" barbed T fitting with the correct size threads for the sensor? I believe its made for a fuel line but it should be all the correct sizes I need and it's stainless steel?

Or this one.

thoughts?

 

[ZionXIX]

Is there any reason why I couldn't just buy this from glowshift? It's a 3/8" barbed T fitting with the correct size threads for the sensor? I believe its made for a fuel line but it should be all the correct sizes I need and it's stainless steel?

thoughts?

Will that be able to handle the heat?

I remember seeing a post where the guy used 3/8 to 1/2 barbed fitting to a 1/2 T junction so there would be plenty of room for the transmission fluid to flow past the temp probe. Im thinking of using that method.

 

[thegipper]

Will that be able to handle the heat?

I remember seeing a post where the guy used 3/8 to 1/2 barbed fitting to a 1/2 T junction so there would be plenty of room for the transmission fluid to flow past the temp probe. Im thinking of using that method.

I don't see why not. The glow shift one is stainless steel and the other one is aluminum. The transmission temps could never be high enough to compromise either of those metals. The tranny temp sensor is long enough where it should be right in the stream of the fluid. I am confirming with glowshift as far as how long the sensor is from the top of the threads to the bottom of the sensor probe. The more I look at the glowshift T fitting (for fuel), the more I think it probably isn't deep enough based on the pictures of the temp sensor and the fitting itself.

I'm thinking I might just get the aluminum (gold anodized) one as I prefer the barbs on that fitting.

I'd rather just buy a fitting where I have the least amount of areas where it could leak. With this setup, there would just be two hose clamps and the threads on the sensor instead of 2 hose clamps and three threads where it could leak. Plus it shouldn't be nearly as bulky.

 

[cbr900boy]

I just went with the Dakota Digital Block which made for an easy and clean installation. I also like it over the Autometer Block because this allows me to add a ground wire. FYI, the reason why I mounted it upside down is because this prevents air pockets forming around the sensor which can give you an inaccurate reading.

Transmission Temperature Sender

 

[SpidermanGeek]

I ended up using a combination of T's and fitting for the sensor. Actually, I have a dual sensor setup so I can see temps from pre & post tranny cooler on the same gauge.

I have a few pics here http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...ou-do-your-3rd-gen-today-687.html#post1984964 , and here's a night shot of my AutoMeter Gauge.

 

[thegipper]

Never mind, both of those fittings are not deep enough to accommodate the temp sensor. Looks like I'll just go to home depot and build one using Ripcords method.

To be continued...

 

[Jhelms]

I bought the gauge below. Dual temp to monitor input and output. I will not be bypassing the radiator but adding a cooler in-line and before the radiator. With this, I plan to add a small fan to the cooler (that will not be in direct airflow) that will be thermostat controlled and only come on when trans temp rises above X point. In my humble theory, this should allow a stable transmission temp, quick warm up and eliminate risk of cooking things when towing. Hopefully will get to the project in 2-3 weeks.

52mm Dual Water/Oil Temp/Temperature Gauge Meter Blue Digital LED SMOKE LENS | eBay

 

[2KT4R]

Heres my digital install. Hooked up to a double throw switch to two temp sensors... intemp and out temp from the cooler.

 

[thegipper]

I went to the hardware store and made this. It's a 1/4" T fitting with 3/8" barbs on either ends. I used a 1/4" to 1/8" bushing which will allow the sensor to fit into the T fitting. It will also make the probe on the sensor just barely in the path of the fluid so it gets a good reading but not obstruct flow. The sensor is about 1" from the bottom of the probe to the top of the threads. It should work perfect.

I ordered the 7 color glowshift tranny temp gauge. I'll hopefully get it all installed this weekend. I'll probably mount it where ripcord put his (in front of the 4wd shifter facing up)

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