Scangauge II XGauge Transmission Temperature

[AP9]

My Scangauge II arrived yesterday. It's a very fascinating device, and I appreciate the informational readouts when I'm driving. I've tried some of the XGauge ones as well -- in fact the primary reason I bought it was so I can monitor transmission temperature.

I've discovered the default Fuel Pressure and Manifold Air Pressure don't give readouts. Neither does the XGauge for Cylinder Head Temp. (Anyone else get different results? Please share if so.) However, I'm pleased with the amount of real-time information I do have now.

But onto the transmission. Not that I've ever towed anything nor do I plan on doing so in the future, but I want to keep this vehicle running and in good shape for as long as possible, especially since the 200,000 mile mark isn't all that far away. I've read about the 5R55E transmission on here and experiences others have had, and was a bit alarmed or concerned when I saw my transmission fluid temperature keep rising on my drive home this afternoon. Granted it was in the mid-90s, but I did see the temperature top out at 207 degrees. This was after about 30 minutes of moderate to heavy traffic with lots of stop lights and speeds no greater than 50 MPH. Is this normal?

Also, the Gear Ratio readout kept fluctuating a bit even though I know the transmission hadn't shifted (slip in the torque converter?), and the torque converter line pressure values were a bit lower than what Glacier991 indicated in this A4LD thread.

 

[01STrunner]

A transmission cooler like what came with the towing packages will help to keep your temps down. I also have the ScanGaugeII and got it specifically for the XGauge functions and the trans temp and must say it's a cool little tool. Mine usually stays around 180 even on hotter days which we have quite a few of in SC. I have the towing package with the tranny cooler though.

As for gear ratio I also monitor that most of the time because I find it interesting. Anyway mine doesn't fluctuate too much, but it does bounce between 1.00 and .99 a little or .75 and .74. I chalk up the change to a little bit of inaccuracy of the gauge plus the fact I have a whole different gear ratio and tire setup than stock.

 

[AP9]

Yeah I'm thinking I might add an aux. transmission cooler, but it looks and sounds kind of difficult.

 

[SoNic67]

No, a cooler it won't help. In stop and go traffic, there is no air flow over the additional cooler to help cooling. Unless you add an electric fan.
PS: I have that auxiliary cooler factory installed. It helps only on highway speeds and towing (because if you don't tow, there is no increase in temperature).

 

[Dave 1955]

I just ordered one of those gauges from autozone.
I been thinking about one and you sealed the deal for me!
20% off doing it on the net!

 

[2000StreetRod]

no sensors

My Scangauge II arrived yesterday. . . I've discovered the default Fuel Pressure and Manifold Air Pressure don't give readouts. Neither does the XGauge for Cylinder Head Temp. (Anyone else get different results? Please share if so.) . . .

There are no sensors in your vehicle for fuel pressure, manifold air pressure, or cylinder head temperature for the PCM to monitor. If the PCM can't read them then the Scangauge can't display them.

 

[AP9]

No, a cooler it won't help. In stop and go traffic, there is no air flow over the additional cooler to help cooling. Unless you add an electric fan.
PS: I have that auxiliary cooler factory installed. It helps only on highway speeds and towing (because if you don't tow, there is no increase in temperature).

I think if I was going to add an auxiliary cooler, it would be one that has its own fan. I've been looking at the finned aluminum aftermarket transmission pans; that would be a lot less work to install and I'd imagine would help under a wider variety of operating conditions, but they're kind of pricey, and I've read that there's the possibility of interference with the cats.

I just ordered one of those gauges from autozone.
I been thinking about one and you sealed the deal for me!
20% off doing it on the net!

Well worth it.

There are no sensors in your vehicle for fuel pressure, manifold air pressure, or cylinder head temperature for the PCM to monitor. If the PCM can't read them then the Scangauge can't display them.

I figured the vehicle most likely didn't have those sensors, but thought it could have possibly been a protocol/com issue instead.

 

[SoNic67]

I think if I was going to add an auxiliary cooler, it would be one that has its own fan.

Fan, temperature sensor, controller/wiring harness... they add up quickly.

 

[bronchole]

205° for a hard condition is not unusual. I love my Ultra Gauge II with the Ford update. It reads the transmission temp also. The only time I have seen it go up over the 180° mark is when I am towing, climbing allot of hills or low and slow off-road. Then the trans pretty much comes up to the engine temp or maybe a couple degrees warmer.

Someday I will get around to writing a review of my Ultra Gauge install on my 97 Monsterneer and on my 96 Explorer.