transmission temperature sensor location
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 4
From: Mexico Beach FL
transmission temperature sensor location
I can think of three logical places to put a sensor for an electric transmission temperature gauge:
1) Make a hole in the side of the pan and braze a fitting in place -- can also be used to drain the transmission.
2) Install it in the line-pressure port.
3) Install it in a fitting in the cooler line.
I don't like number 3 because it would read the temperature of the cooled fluid which is probably cooler than the transmission.
For number 2, I'm not sure if the sensor, protruding into the port, would cause any blockage of the line-pressure fluid flowing by -- or is this a blind hole?
And, because the fluid is under high pressure, it probably will be hotter than the rest of the transmission.
I'm thinking that option 1 would make the most sense because it would give a more average temperature reading.
Ideas??
Tom Piper
1) Make a hole in the side of the pan and braze a fitting in place -- can also be used to drain the transmission.
2) Install it in the line-pressure port.
3) Install it in a fitting in the cooler line.
I don't like number 3 because it would read the temperature of the cooled fluid which is probably cooler than the transmission.
For number 2, I'm not sure if the sensor, protruding into the port, would cause any blockage of the line-pressure fluid flowing by -- or is this a blind hole?
And, because the fluid is under high pressure, it probably will be hotter than the rest of the transmission.
I'm thinking that option 1 would make the most sense because it would give a more average temperature reading.
Ideas??
Tom Piper
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Georgetown Texas
I use the line pressure port with no problems, but I don't know how accurate it is.
Even if it's not that accurate, it will still give you a reference point so that you can see an unusually high reading.
Hope this helps.
Even if it's not that accurate, it will still give you a reference point so that you can see an unusually high reading.
Hope this helps.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,969
Likes: 710
From: WI
I used a trans. drain plug kit, left the plug out, and put the gauge sender in it's place. I used the drivers side forward part of the pan. It only took a few min. to install. You have to check carefully for room, there are many moving parts. The gauge is working great for me, it measures the pan temp. From what I have read, output temp. is usually 30° more. I will snap some pictures this weekend.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,969
Likes: 710
From: WI
Later year C4's do have the trans gauge but I do not know where the sender is. On my year the drivers side forward part of the pan was nice. There is nothing in the way, it's not to close to the exhaust, and the pan was still flat there. A lot of pan is rounded and would be tough to seal with the drain kit. If I remember right the 11/32 drill bit was perfect for the drain plug kit, the mount actually threaded in slightly in that size hole. I have a bunch of projects going on, I'll take a few pics and include the sender location.
On the radiator I used -6 an fittings, one is an inverted flare to AN adapter and the other is a 90° bend. Then just ran hose and clamps.
On the radiator I used -6 an fittings, one is an inverted flare to AN adapter and the other is a 90° bend. Then just ran hose and clamps.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: IL
trans temp reading idea question,
Instead of buying a guage kit and finding a place to put it, Go get a stock oil temp sender for the engine, get a 2 position toggle switch and wire it into your stock digital guage, splice the switch into the wire going to the stock sensor, make sure you solder and heat shrink the connection install the switch where you like it. Do like the guy said put a welded fitting on your pan the next time you change the fluid and filter. Once this is done it will be a great place to drain the oil for easier maintenance. 
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,969
Likes: 710
From: WI
The drain plug kit with the sender in it still works fine to drain the ATF, you just remove the sender instead of the plug. Neat idea with the stock oil temp. sender! I track mine though and need to be able to glance at gauges, I do not have time to flip switches. The aftermarket gauge also has a warning temp. that you can set. The drain kit was $6 and the gauge was $50 if I remember right. Coming off the drivers front of the pan, the wire comes in the cabin by the battery, there is a rubber boot there and it was very easy to bring a wire in there.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by Aardwolf
On the radiator I used -6 an fittings, one is an inverted flare to AN adapter and the other is a 90° bend. Then just ran hose and clamps.
Originally Posted by black85vette
Instead of buying a guage kit and finding a place to put it, Go get a stock oil temp sender for the engine, get a 2 position toggle switch and wire it into your stock digital guage, splice the switch into the wire going to the stock sensor, make sure you solder and heat shrink the connection install the switch where you like it.
RACE ON!!!
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 4
From: Mexico Beach FL
The temperature sensor I want to use has a 1/4" male pipe thread.
Does anyone make a transmission drain plug kit that has a 1/4" female thread for the drain plug that my temperature sensor will thread into?
If I can't find anything else, I may end up with a brass fitting that I have brazed in the transmission pan.
Tom Piper
Does anyone make a transmission drain plug kit that has a 1/4" female thread for the drain plug that my temperature sensor will thread into?
If I can't find anything else, I may end up with a brass fitting that I have brazed in the transmission pan.
Tom Piper
