Ok, first the good news. The gauge fit perfectly and looks great where the 4x4 switch would be. The sender installed without leaks, no problems. I found 12v when the ignition is on from a plug that goes down by the tow mode switch that wasn't used on my XE. Only thing left is to install a fuse, and wire up the backlight for the gauge.

The bad news, gauge doesn't work. Needle comes up when truck is on and never rises above 100, and sender is getting hot enough that I can't leave my hand on it. It's installed in the line going to the ext. cooler that I had installed. I will check for continuity in the sender wire tomorrow. I used solid wire to aid in going through the firewall, but may have a break in it. If that's ok, then it looks like I have a bad sending unit. Hopefully I can get one sent out. Not sure if something like that is universal or available locally. I'll send pics when job is finished. Thanks.

Excellent, I'm looking forward to the pics. This will make an excellent how to...

Thanks roadie and just FYI, it does sound like you have either a bad sending unit or it's not getting a good ground...

Roadie, JT makes a good point. Sending units usually ground the gauge (the resistance varies with temp). How did you install the sender in the line? If you used a T in the rubber lines the gauge won't work because you don't have a ground. The body of the sending unit must be grounded to the chassis or engine.

Hmm....I used a T fitting and put it inline in the 3/8" flex line going to the ext. cooler, no ground. The only ground is from the gauge in the dash. I didn't think about that, you think I need to ground the sending unit? If I ground it, it's basically grounding out the sending wire also.

Hmm....I used a T fitting and put it inline in the 3/8" flex line going to the ext. cooler, no ground. The only ground is from the gauge in the dash. I didn't think about that, you think I need to ground the sending unit? If I ground it, it's basically grounding out the sending wire also.

Did the sending unit come with any wiring diagrams? It surely sounds like your missing a ground to the gauge or the sending unit. How about checking online with the manufacturer of the sending unit and the gauge. I bet you'll find the information there. Please keep us updated.

It came with universal instructions that are pretty much useless. But all it has is 5 wire studs. 12v ignition, ground, sending unit, backlight 12v, backlight ground.

Backlight isn't hooked up yet, shouldn't matter. Nothing shows that the sender needs to be grounded though. I'll check again.

Who's the manufacturer of the sending unit and the gauge and I'll see what I can find too for you?

My mistake, instructions do say that sender SHOULD be automatically grounded, if not then it needs to be. I didn't notice a plastic grommet protecting the inner part of the sender. That's my problem. Thanks!!

Now I have to figure out a way to ground the T fitting.

If you have to just run a seperate ground wire. It appears scr38 NAILED this one on the head!!!! We know who to go to if any of us have a wiring problem now... :) Thanks scr, you the man!!

I'm sure it will work correctly when you get the sending unit grounded. You could use a small hose clamp (the SS worm gear type would be best). Wrap a wire (insulation stripped) around the T where the sending unit screws in and secure it with the clamp. Find a good ground point and fasten the other end of the wire there.

BINGO!! Got the gauge to register, up to 125 so far, only drove it for 10 min. though. I'm going to use the clamp for the T fitting. I'll try to post pics tomorrow, thanks for all the help!

Glad you got it working! :D

Tested my trans temp gauge today. Drove up to Oak Glen (about 5000'), and the gauge read 195 at the top of the hill, but dropped down to 100 on the way down. Never climbed above 125 after that. I have it connected to one of the ext cooling lines, not sure if it's in or out.

Let's see if the pic's work.

Dan

Cool, they actually worked!

That looks great in the 4x4 switch hole roadie. Great job man. Are you going to put this in the how to section??

Man that looks excellent. Perfect fit in there. Good job.
M4ck

That looks great in the 4x4 switch hole roadie. Great job man. Are you going to put this in the how to section??

Sure, tried to but it said only moderators can post.

??? That's a new one on me.....let me get with m4ck on this one...

Does anybody know what the "normal" trans temp should be? I remember reading it somewhere on this forum.

Darn good question, I'll look it up tonight and see what I can find if someone doesn't beat me to it...

Does anybody know what the "normal" trans temp should be? I remember reading it somewhere on this forum.
I made a post on transmission temps somewhere, but I don't remember where.
According to the service manual the normal is 149 F and above 194 F is too hot.

What section is it in? I couldn't find any info in mine. My gauge read 195 heading up the mountains without towing. Kept it in 4th all the way up doing about 55. It looks like my gauge is sitting right at the trans output in the hottest location. The ext cooler is installed between the trans and the radiator(stock cooler).

What section is it in? I couldn't find any info in mine. My gauge read 195 heading up the mountains without towing. Kept it in 4th all the way up doing about 55. It looks like my gauge is sitting right at the trans output in the hottest location. The ext cooler is installed between the trans and the radiator(stock cooler).
The fluid temps are mentioned in several sections of the transmission section. Attached is one showing norman range of temps.

I thought you meant owner's manual, I don't have the service manual yet.

Dan

Roadie, I have an extra gauge ring that will fit between the gauge and the dash panel that will tilt the gauge up (or any other dircetion) so you can see it better. I put an a/f gauge in the same place about 3-4 months ago and the rings came as a pack; I only needed the one. Shoot me a PM and I can get that to you if you want it. The only thing is that it is black so I don't know if you want that kind of contrast between the gauge and dash.

Roadie, I have an extra gauge ring that will fit between the gauge and the dash panel that will tilt the gauge up (or any other dircetion) so you can see it better. I put an a/f gauge in the same place about 3-4 months ago and the rings came as a pack; I only needed the one. Shoot me a PM and I can get that to you if you want it. The only thing is that it is black so I don't know if you want that kind of contrast between the gauge and dash.

You've got mail.

This thread was just brought back to life by scr38 and for good reason. It's a great post on how to install a tranny temp. gauge. I'm moving it to the how to section right now so it doesn't get lost again.

Great mod - beautiful fit into the dash. One suggestion would be to get an autometer angle ring (part #ATM-2234) to angle the face of the gauge toward the driver vice having it point at your knee.

I think you can get these in chrome or black, and you can certainly paint to match.

Can you post this instructions out? I want to do this mod, but have no idea how to, and I'm completely dumb when it involves auto fluids.
The gauge part looks simple, but how did you get the sender installed, and that hose that the sender is connected to, where does it leads, ends??? I looked on my truck to compare your picture, and was trying to find the hoses, but I guess that hose has to be added also right? See how dumb I am with this things? Lol!

goval
I believe he has an aux cooler added to his radiator and he tapped into the line that feeds it.

ya..im gonna need a how to on this as well. such as what size guage is that? where did you mount the sending unit and is the "best" spot or just the easiest? and anything else you can think of :)

What type of sender did you use I can't find a trany temp sender anywhere also what size tie and hose is required