How To: Installing a Transmission Temperature Gauge | Page 3 | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

  • Register Today It's free!

How To: Installing a Transmission Temperature Gauge

Parts needed and cost:
SunPro Water/Oil Temp Guage(Advance Auto) $16.96
3/8 Galvanized Tee $3.50+/-
3/8 Flare(male)/3/8 Pipe Thread(male) Connector $1.49 x2
3/8 Flare Nut $ .79 x2
Wire splice connector

Tools Needed:
Drill
Tubing Cutter
Tubing Flare Tool

Explorer_001.jpg
In this pic I have fittings to connect to the rubber hose coming from secondary cooler. This location did not give very accurate reading so I moved location of sensor to before main radiator.

Remove center console compartment area by just it pulling up. Drill hole in upper compartment large enough to get sending unit threw. Run cable and wires threw hole and mount guage. On '98 XLT there is a wire harness connector behind console compartment. Locate red wire with black strip, this goes to dimmer switch. Use a wire splice connector and attach red wire from guage to the red w/black strip wire. Attach ground wire from guage to metal bracket that holds side of center console. Run cable from guage threw back of console and out by gas pedal.

Explorer_010.jpg


Explorer_006.jpg


Run cable up and over brake pedal and steering column. Locate where emergancy brake cable goes threw firewall. Remove rubber gromet from firewall and make a small cut, run sending unit and nut threw gromet.
Explorer_009.jpg

Locate where cable went threw firewall under the hood. Look directly under brake master cylinder. Pull excess cable threw firewall (you may want help feeding cable from inside so as not to kink line).
Remove tranny lines from radiator, you need to remove both so you can pull upper line up enough to cut. You may want to use a small pan to catch tranny fluid that will leak from lower line. With tubing cutter cut upper line about 3in from lower bend. On lower part of line that was just cut cut again about 2in down.
Explorer_008.jpg

On both ends of line install Flare Nut and use flare tool for 3/8 tubing and flare ends. Lowe's has flare tool for around $10.
Use pipe tape on all threads. Insert the 3/8 Flare(male)/3/8 Pipe Thread(male) Connector into tee. Insert 3/8 adapter that comes with guage for the sending unit. Install tee on lower line and then install upper part of line onto tee. Reattach tranny lines to radiator. Insert sending unit into tee (be carefull not to overtighten, adapter that comes with guage is very soft brass, I stripped it and had to but another guage just for the adapter). Use wire ties to secure cable from guage.
Explorer_011.jpg


Go for a short drive to warm transmission and check level of tranny fluid.
Let me know if this is helpfull and if I need to change anything.
 






I have been reading alot of these post. ONe of the best places is the trans pan. But even easier than that. No drilling, cutting. just need a 10mm socket and rachet and remove the test port on the side of the trans. Install the sensor and run you wires. PRESTO!!

I was trying to get the post up quicker. I had to get my guages first. In my defense I did post the above prior :salute:
 






Installing a transmission temp gauge

I'm new to this forum, and was just browsing when I saw "Tow" Rig Forum. I'm in the process of looking for a vintage trailer, and am looking for any info that would be helpful since I have never towed anything in my life. Anyway, I am just wondering what a "Transmission Temperature Gauge" is, and if it's something I am going to need when I pull a trailer? Thanks for your help, Deena
 






The transmission temperature gauge allows you to adjust your driving should your transmission temperature climb too high. Transmission temperature increases while towing, especially in stop and go traffic, and hilly terrain.

There are some steep grades in UT, and since you're so close, I assume you may try some of the CO mountain passes. A temp gauge along with an auxiliary transmission cooler can help save the tranny. Here is a link to a thread about installing a cooler on a 2nd gen Explorer. Your '98 is a 2nd generation. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=232808
 






i love how heads try to talk smack before they realized it was for good reason... nice write up ...
 






Back
Top