Transmission temperature gauge installation

[Infinitiguy19]

For those that have installed a Transmission temperature gauge (Q45Tech) I would like to know how to did it as well. So I can join the limited amount of people that have one installed.

[qsiguy]

Well I'm not sure how others have done it but for my current project of changing the radiator and installing an external transmission cooler I will most likely install a Tee in the transmission fluid line and install a temp sensor in the Tee. I need to find a decent gauge or digital display to use for it. Haven't got that far with it yet. Also need to decide if I want it before or after the cooler.

[Infinitiguy19]

I feel pretty stupid for not think of tee-ing in the sensor when I installed the cooler.

Do you think it makes a difference if the sensor is in the pan or in the line?

But all I need to do now is find the gauge, fitting and think of a way to make the gauges look OEM (Hardest part).

[qsiguy]

Well the fluid temp coming out of the transmission en route to the cooler should give you a good representation of the entire transmission temp IMO.

Simple to install a Tee if you already have the transmission cooler, or even it not really. Just cut the line and insert with some barb fittings. I'd use stainless steel or brass would be fine.

[Skibane]

Quote »the fluid temp coming out of the transmission en route to the cooler should give you a good representation of the entire transmission temp[/quote]That's a good approach. Since excessive temperature (and ATF breakdown) is the concern, you should be monitoring at the point where the temperature is highest - which would be where the ATF is on its way to the cooler. If you're measuring safe temperatures at that point, it's a pretty good bet that the ATF isn't getting cooked anywhere else inside the transmission.

BTW, there are some really crappy electric ATF temperature gauges on the aftermarket - They aren't calibrated in any actual degrees (just color bars), and the needle sweeps a small angle over a tiny meter face.

Ideally, you want a wide-sweeping gauge that is marked every 5 degrees or so - which probably means a mechanical gauge. Mechanical temperature gauges are a pain in the a$$ to install, but the results are worth it.

ETA: Most digital gauges are designed to work with OEM-style electrical senders - which aren't known for their accuracy.