Installing tranny temp sensor?

[justadodgeman]

Can I just weld a **** that my tranny sensor fits(1/8" npt) on my tranny pan while I weld a drain plug on it or do I need to put it in another place?

 

[xtremewlr]

To get accurate temps from the transmission, you should install a manifold in the upper trans line on the passenger side with the temp sensor installed there. I got all the parts from Summit Racing after talking to my trans shop about what I wanted to do. This was what they recommended.

 

[justadodgeman]

To get accurate temps from the transmission, you should install a manifold in the upper trans line on the passenger side with the temp sensor installed there. I got all the parts from Summit Racing after talking to my trans shop about what I wanted to do. This was what they recommended.

is that the upper line going to the oil cooler? Well I think I got the same thing. 3/8" on each end and 1/2" npt in the middle with a 1/2" to 1/8" npt reducer. Hope I got the right thing cause it ended up being 66 bucks which is way too much for that block of metal but hell I want everything right and don't want to have to do it twice cause the readings suck

 

[xtremewlr]

Yes, the upper line going to the trans cooler. The line is 3/8" so you want the Auto Meter part #2286 manifold. I went with the factory match gauge too: AutoMeter Factory Match Analog Gauges #8549

 

[SilverStreak88]

The easiest place to put the temp sensor is in the test port on the side of the tranny.

 

[SilverStreak88]

 

[xtremewlr]

The easiest place to put the temp sensor is in the test port on the side of the tranny.

Which gets zero fluid flow and is the worst place to pull the temps from. Not even close to being accurate.

 

[SilverStreak88]

Which gets zero fluid flow and is the worst place to pull the temps from. Not even close to being accurate.

I knew someone was going to chime in and say that... I can tell all of you that I know, for a fact, that fluid is in the test ports. Hence the name given to it (test port), I had my trans rebuilt a little over a month ago and I know for a fact seeing my trans in pieces and a hollow shell and confirming it with the 20 year veteran Dodge trans builder that it is a very good place to get a temp.

 

[justadodgeman]

The easiest place to put the temp sensor is in the test port on the side of the tranny.

I understand it's the easiest but the problems that I've read with doing that is the heat from the tranny casing making the sensor less accurate. I like the in-line way because it measures the hottest temps that the fluid is getting because the sensor is inthe last place the fluid goes before entering the cooler

 

[SilverStreak88]

I understand it's the easiest but the problems that I've read with doing that is the heat from the tranny casing making the sensor less accurate. I like the in-line way because it measures the hottest temps that the fluid is getting because the sensor is inthe last place the fluid goes before entering the cooler

I wasn't trying to say that the test port is the best and only place, but rather my opinion on getting an accurate temp without major modification. The test ports are pressurized and that's where I run mine, the highest I see my trans get is 180, when I go home today I'll shoot the case with a laser temp gauge and see how far off my gauge and laser are from each other. If you would prefer to put a sensor (inline) then I would recommend disconnecting from trans before cut so you can blow the line out and not get shavings in your VB.

 

[Harley Harrold]

I went with the adapter, and installed it on the upper line, and sensor positioned down per the instructions.

 

[xtremewlr]

I went with the adapter, and installed it on the upper line, and sensor positioned down per the instructions.

Down per the instructions? I guess I missed that since I have mine installed with the sensor facing up. I wonder if it makes any kind of difference in any way?

 

[justadodgeman]

Hell in gonna hopefully use a pipe cutter(the kind you spin around pipe and has cutter wheels if I can find it cause there won't be shavings to worry about

 

[justadodgeman]

I went with the adapter, and installed it on the upper line, and sensor positioned down per the instructions.

Yeah that makes more sense but I would think there would be enough pressure in those lines that it wouldn't have any problem filling up the adapter anyways

 

[smiley]

I have the factory one I wonder where they put it? Yes 4th gen but same trans so would think it would be applicable.

 

[Harley Harrold]

Down per the instructions? I guess I missed that since I have mine installed with the sensor facing up. I wonder if it makes any kind of difference in any way?

I wouldn't think it makes that big of a difference since the line is pressurized, so fluid will reach the sensor. The instructions that came with my Auto Meter adapter stated to mount it facing down, so that is how I installed mine.

I also installed a Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Transmission cooler, along with a Dorman 4x4 Transmission Pan with drain plug provision on my 4x2 Ram 1500. These changes gave me better cooling and extra Transmission fluid capacity.

 

[RDP]

Trans guages and sensor

I have a 2009 Cummins 6 speed auto 3500 dually. I purchased a trio guage kit that has trans temp, boost, and pyrometer temp. The kit came with a clamp on temp sensor that fits around the outgoing trans (close to trans) line that goes to the trans cooler. It clamped on securely around the trans line. It was very easy and using a lazer temp check meter it measured withing five degrees of the guage temp at various temps. There was no cutting of the trans line which I liked. The guage types were the ISSPRO DM-GKD-R1430809

The kit had everything I needed and great instructions. I purchased it at dieselmanor.com It had a post (left post ) and was easy enough to install. It was color matched to my interior. I have run it since 2009 and had no problems of any kind. The pyro was the toughest part where I had to drill and tap the exhaust manifold. Better know what you are doing here. I used a vacuum to help suck out drill and tapping shavings. The manifold drilling and tapping was the hardest part of the whole installation being it is very tight area. I purchased the drill and tap kit from them also to make sure I had the right sized drill and tap and were of good quality. Not cheap by any means but highly recommended. I am not a mechanic but have pretty good skills for stuff like this.

Good Luck==pugpug

 

[CorDog009]

I just put mine in the pan with a drain plug kit I installed. Maybe one day I'll change it to the trans cooler line, but for now it's better than nothing.

 

[CorDog009]

Yeah that makes more sense but I would think there would be enough pressure in those lines that it wouldn't have any problem filling up the adapter anyways

Yea even with the sensor pointed up there shouldn't be any air space in the line anyway.