transmission temp monitoring

[BlackRustBucket]

How are people with external transmission coolers monitoring their temps besides scan tools? If I have a 97 will any scan tools work for me? I just installed a transmission cooler and I'm sure it's fine especially while it's spring but I feel it's a little sketch driving without knowing how well it works. I looked around a little through research but I couldn't find anything. Thanks!

 

[Brveagle]

No way to monitor without installing a tranny temp gauge (hardline).

 

[calimobber]

I use a scan gauge, the key is to turn overdrive off when cars struggling. When towing my trailer and I see a hill my temps will go up fast to like 180F but once I turn off the over drive they drop back to like 130-140F norm. (April weather)

I would just tap into to rubber lines going into your transmission cooler(stock or after market) and just run the line up into cab. Just use a small digital temp gauge if you want to keep it small and clean.


Buy if you don't want to add one, just remember to turn off OD when cars working and you will be fine

 

[gamefreakgc]

Us in the 96-98 crowd are out of luck. Unless you want to try and tap a hose with an aftermarket gauge and mount it in your interior there's no way to know. And to be honest it's not really worth doing, even if supercharged.

It's be cheaper and easier to put in a transmission cooler and know that your temps are good than to route a gauge, only to find out that you might be running hot and need a cooler anyway.

 

[slapdappy]

turn off overdrive if going uphill.
install trans temp sending unit in the send line (coming out of trans and going to trans cooler). This will tell you the fluid temp as it exits the transmission, which will be its highest temp.

 

[BlackRustBucket]

Us in the 96-98 crowd are out of luck. Unless you want to try and tap a hose with an aftermarket gauge and mount it in your interior there's no way to know. And to be honest it's not really worth doing, even if supercharged.

It's be cheaper and easier to put in a transmission cooler and know that your temps are good than to route a gauge, only to find out that you might be running hot and need a cooler anyway.

Thanks everyone for the info. Very helpful...gamefreak do you think it's not worth doing even if I bypassed the radiator and only running the new external cooler?

 

[SpidermanGeek]

I use an AutoMeter 2640 hooked up to 2 senders in my '97.

One sender is in the return line right after the oil cooler and one is in the send line right out of the transmission.

The ON/ON toggle switch near my parking brake handle is what's used to switch between the two readings, but I typically just leave it on the Send line reading.

 

[angus]

I'm about to upgrade my cooler to the biggest stacked plate cooler I can buy, I installed d smaller one a while back with mow with the S/C I want to do the transgo shift kit and I have also noticed that the tranny shifts better at low temps - could just be me but I doubt it.

Also - spiderman just gave me a genius idea where to put my fuel pressure gauge - thanks!

 

[SpidermanGeek]

No problem, but I can't take all the credit, I got the mounting location idea from a few other users on T4R.org who have done it before me.

 

[Mgyver1]

Has anyone ever mounted the sensor right at the hardline exit on the tranny? I've tossed around the idea of getting a T fitting that was male flare on one end, female on the other and NPT on top and connect it right at the 90 coming off the tranny. Anyone ever done this or know why it would be a bad idea?

 

[BamaDrewski]

How are people with external transmission coolers monitoring their temps besides scan tools? If I have a 97 will any scan tools work for me? I just installed a transmission cooler and I'm sure it's fine especially while it's spring but I feel it's a little sketch driving without knowing how well it works. I looked around a little through research but I couldn't find anything. Thanks!

I had the same question and purchased a Bluetooth OBDII scanner that enables me to setup a display on my android for transmission temps (among other cool things). I also have the external cooler. The tool was $12 on Amazon and the Torque App Pro was $4.99. So, for $17 or so bucks, I have what I need. Highly recommended.

 

[SpidermanGeek]

Has anyone ever mounted the sensor right at the hardline exit on the tranny? I've tossed around the idea of getting a T fitting that was male flare on one end, female on the other and NPT on top and connect it right at the 90 coming off the tranny. Anyone ever done this or know why it would be a bad idea?

I wouldn't think it's necessary. I have mine installed as close as I could to the end of the metal line. I attached about 6 inches of line from there (just enough to clear the crossmember) and then installed my T fitting with the sender from there.

For my return line sender, I installed it in the same fashion, but as close as I could to the cooler, but right after the Rad firewall (so as early as I could to where the return line comes back into the engine bay)

 

[ukrunner]

Anyone know what the PID is for the temp sensor on a '97?

 

[SpidermanGeek]

Anyone know what the PID is for the temp sensor on a '97?

I don't think there is one? Which is why SCII doesn't work for monitoring trans temps on '96-'98 4Runners?

 

[ukrunner]

I wasn't aware of that. Bummer. However, I do have the temp sensor for the light in the dash.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Thanks everyone for the info. Very helpful...gamefreak do you think it's not worth doing even if I bypassed the radiator and only running the new external cooler?

Most people put in a cooler for three reasons:

1. To bypass the radiator to eliminate any chance of the "pink milkshake"
2. To reduce transmission temperatures while towing
3. To reduce excess heat and stress caused by a turbo/supercharger

If you are concerned about any one of the three then I would recommend putting on a transmission cooler on. If you still have the stock radiator on there I would also recommend bypassing the radiator completely. Mine's currently in the mail since the temperatures are really warming up here in California. The previous owner fried the original transmission 3 years ago because of the supercharger, so I know it's putting out too much heat.

If you haven't seen it yet this thread has lots of info:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/68892-b-m-70268-supercooler-transmission-cooler-install-3rd-gen.html

If you put a cooler on, there's really no need to put in a gauge since it will be much cooler in temperature than stock.

 

[raty4R]

Can the trans temp on a 99 SR5 be read by the Torque app?
Are there instructions anywhere?

 

[BlackRustBucket]

I use an AutoMeter 2640 hooked up to 2 senders in my '97.

One sender is in the return line right after the oil cooler and one is in the send line right out of the transmission.

The ON/ON toggle switch near my parking brake handle is what's used to switch between the two readings, but I typically just leave it on the Send line reading.

That's awesome, nicely done

 

[BlackRustBucket]

I'm about to upgrade my cooler to the biggest stacked plate cooler I can buy, I installed d smaller one a while back with mow with the S/C I want to do the transgo shift kit and I have also noticed that the tranny shifts better at low temps - could just be me but I doubt it.

Also - spiderman just gave me a genius idea where to put my fuel pressure gauge - thanks!

Ok so it's not just me...I've felt like it shifts smoother and sooner since I did the cooler but thought maybe I just never paid that close attention.

 

[BlackRustBucket]

I had the same question and purchased a Bluetooth OBDII scanner that enables me to setup a display on my android for transmission temps (among other cool things). I also have the external cooler. The tool was $12 on Amazon and the Torque App Pro was $4.99. So, for $17 or so bucks, I have what I need. Highly recommended.

Would this work on my 97? That's pretty neat