Factory trans temp sensor & wiring?

[JW]

I've seen several references to newer OBD-2 Explorers having a trans temp sensor from the factory and tapping into the wiring for that to add a gauge, but no info on what wire(s) to use or where they're located. Can anyone shed any light on that?

 

[Ronin8002]

A really good way that you might look into is to buy a scanguage II. It's easy because you just plug it into your obd2 port. Then you can set it up to display pretty much anything that any sensor puts out. Plus you also get the ability to scan for and clear trouble codes. I have one and I monitor trans temp, voltage, water temp, and intake air temp.

Another fairly easy way would be to put an adapter of some sort on your outbound cooling circuit line that allows you to use a temp probe...then hook that up to a guage. Only prob with that would be that it would only give you an accurate temp when the cooling circuit is open. IIRC the 5r55 only opens up the cooling circuit at a certain fluid temp.
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[JW]

I know I can do that; I want to add a permanent gauge, hopefully without drilling/tapping the trans pan.

 

[Ronin8002]

Not sure how the existing trans temp sensor outputs data. Since its a CAN bus system in the vehicle it might be some type of digital output instead of voltage-based....if it is then you won't be able to use a regular type guage.

You can permanently install the scanguage...just do a google search for scanguage blendmount. It will mount over or under your rearview mirror and you can hide the cable under the headliner where it meets the windshield, then behind the a-pillar panel and behind the dash down to the obd port. Easy install and clean looking, plus its easy to see.

Otherwise you might have to tap the pan to use a normal guage (if I am wrong about the sensor part above)
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[jrford]

I'd aggree with Ronin its going to be CAN, thus a digital signal and not Analogue which is what gauges usually are.

I've thought of this before but never had a need to. I'd buy a cheap indoor/outdoor thermometer, where the outside sensor part is on a wire, and glue that sensor to the trans pan in a place somewhat shielded from the elements. Mount the readout in the cab somewhere?