Acceptable Transmission Temperatures

[jchw]

Am installing a transmission temperature sensor in a 2004 Dodge 2500 auto trans / 4wd but I can't find what is max. Any one know where to go look up the max value, or experience with and can give me a value??

As always, THANKS!!
John & Belinda
2004 Dodge 2500 4wd
2006 Mountaineer 344 RLT

[ggranch]

Going strictly from memory (not a good thig really)I seem to recall that 270 is the top of the acceptable range for tranny fluid. I would try the service desk at your dealer, or check with the gauge supplier. There might even be a temp. range listed on the tranny fluid bottle itself. Sorry that I can't say with certanty what the temp is.

[ols1932]

260°-270° F is as high as you want to go and that is off the torque converter. I have my sensor coming off the return line from the after market oil cooler I had installed and my temperature there rarely exceeds 110° F. So I mentally add 100 degrees to that to know that I'm below maximum. I also had a deep pan installed which holds an extra 8 quarts of oil. It helps keep the transmission cool. If you go to www.dieselstop.com you can get a lot of information about this sort of thing.

Orv

[kmh3212]

I check my ATF fluid temp before it goes into an aftermarket ATF filter and before a aftermarket ATF cooler. I also check my ATF pan temp. 190 to 200 degrees is okay. Above 200 the life of regular fluid starts to diminish. Above 270 fluid is getting cooked and should be changed. I use Mobil 1 synthetic fluid which will handle the higher temps much better than the dino fluids.

[jchw]

Thanks to everyone. I bought a gauge from Geno's Garage with a special "saddle fitting" that clamps around either of the two lines. I'll clamp it around the line going to the cooler and install the transducer. Now all I have to do is to get the wire through the firewall without having to drill a hole (late design limitation...:-( ) and get a switched 12v supply. Headed for the cigarette lighter, but after disassembling the lower half of the center console, still couldn't even see the power lead... Oh well, that's what weekends are for... John in San Antonio