Tranny Temp Sensor

Travis Wootton

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Feb 19, 2006, 12:04:44 AM2/19/06

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I'd like to add a tranny temp gauge to my 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 (5.7L Hemi
w/545RFE trans) to monitor temps while towing my travel trailer. I'm
leaning toward installing the sensor in the hot-side cooler line. A buddy
has an F-250 that had a test port in the tranny where he installed his
sender. This would be an alternative I'd be intersted in trying. Anyone
know if there's a similar test port on the 545RFE? If so, where is it
located? I'd also like to hear other thoughts on the tranny gauge
installation. Thanks gang.

Tom Lawrence

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Feb 19, 2006, 12:31:22 AM2/19/06

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> located? I'd also like to hear other thoughts on the tranny gauge
> installation. Thanks gang.

The cooler line is the best place for it - it's the hottest point, it gets
full flow all the time, and it doesn't risk any mechanical interference.
The second-best point would be the pan itself - pretty easy to drop the pan
and install an 1/8" pipe bushing in the side of the pan - this can also
double as a drain plug.

Travis Wootton

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Feb 19, 2006, 12:47:15 AM2/19/06

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Thanks for the info, Tom.

"Tom Lawrence" <tNlOaSwPrA...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:KoTJf.386$S25...@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net...

Tom J

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Feb 19, 2006, 11:04:58 AM2/19/06

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"Travis Wootton" <twoo...@austin.rr.com> wrote in message
news:M%SJf.27834$7y1....@tornado.texas.rr.com...

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.rv/browse_thread/thread/c79dcd2d0c0e64b9/93f2ca60db7a61ef?lnk=st&q=Transmission+temperature+gauge&rnum=8&hl=en#93f2ca60db7a61ef

I used the gauge in the above thread and it gives a rise in temp. That
is all you need to know. It took me a couple of hours to install. Once
installed, I drove 15 or 20 miles to get a base reading from the
gauge. When towing, if it goes up 50 degrees, I back off. I've been up
and down mountains all over the US, Canada & 14 states in Mexico since
installing it. On 1 trip there was a couple with the same model truck
with a factory gauge installed and towing a similar trailer & we were
getting readings very close. I like my $15 Pyrex kitchen gauge for
transmission temp reading!!

Tom J

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Feb 19, 2006, 11:16:49 AM2/19/06

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http://groups.google.com/group/rec.outdoors.rv-travel/browse_thread/thread/7befe22af55a9051/d00f364582ba9a5a?lnk=st&q=Transmission+temperature+gauge&rnum=32&hl=en#d00f364582ba9a5a
Here is a later thread where others in this group tried and liked the
same gauge. This thread gives you the description and model #.

Tom J

"Tom J" <tom...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
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John Kunkel

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Feb 19, 2006, 1:16:44 PM2/19/06

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"Travis Wootton" <twoo...@austin.rr.com> wrote in message
news:M%SJf.27834$7y1....@tornado.texas.rr.com...

> I'd like to add a tranny temp gauge to my 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 (5.7L Hemi
> w/545RFE trans) to monitor temps while towing my travel trailer. I'm
> leaning toward installing the sensor in the hot-side cooler line. A buddy
> has an F-250 that had a test port in the tranny where he installed his
> sender. This would be an alternative I'd be intersted in trying. Anyone
> know if there's a similar test port on the 545RFE? If so, where is it
> located?

Test ports in the case are possibly the worst place to place a temp sensor,
typically there is little or no fluid flow in the chambers where the test
ports tap in; the fluid in those chambers is "dead headed".

Janet Wilder

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Feb 19, 2006, 2:15:03 PM2/19/06

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When we had pickup trucks we had tranny temp sensors. It was a helpful
tool with the heavy slide-in and the one-ton PSD that toted our KoTR
fiver. We didn't put one in the Freightliner because we had a manual
with AutoShift. Anyway we now have this giant Chevy motorhome
(workhorse 22) with an Allison 5 speed and I've never seen a posting or
heard a conversation about putting a tranny temp sensor into a
motorhome. Does one need a tranny temp guage on a MH? Does anyone have
one on theirs?

TIA
J

--
-----------
Janet Wilder
The Road Princess
http://janetwilder.blogspot.com

Lon VanOstran

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Feb 19, 2006, 2:31:50 PM2/19/06

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Janet Wilder wrote:
> When we had pickup trucks we had tranny temp sensors. It was a helpful
> tool with the heavy slide-in and the one-ton PSD that toted our KoTR
> fiver. We didn't put one in the Freightliner because we had a manual
> with AutoShift. Anyway we now have this giant Chevy motorhome
> (workhorse 22) with an Allison 5 speed and I've never seen a posting or
> heard a conversation about putting a tranny temp sensor into a
> motorhome. Does one need a tranny temp guage on a MH? Does anyone have
> one on theirs?
>
> TIA
> J
>

I'm surprised that your MH came without one. I would add one.

Lon

Janet Wilder

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Feb 19, 2006, 4:52:50 PM2/19/06

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Lon VanOstran wrote:

If it did, we haven't found it. Do most MHs come with them?

Calif Bill

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Feb 19, 2006, 5:41:08 PM2/19/06

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My Chevy P/U came with one. You can look at www.jegs.com and they have a
B&M temperature guage and sender. About $50

"Janet Wilder" <kellie...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
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Lon VanOstran

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Feb 19, 2006, 5:00:32 PM2/19/06

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GM believes that one is called for with the Allison tranny, thus they
provide one. If Workhorse doesn't, IMHO they are negligent.

Lon

can...@sbcglobal.net

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Feb 20, 2006, 12:14:16 AM2/20/06

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On Sun, 19 Feb 2006 15:52:50 -0600, Janet Wilder
<kellie...@yahoo.com> wrote:

>>
>If it did, we haven't found it. Do most MHs come with them?
>
>J

My Diesel pusher has one and, in addition, an exhaust temperature
indicator for the Banks System.

Canoli