Tranny Temp Spikes

[sn0border88]

Recently I have noticed temp spikes on my digital tranny temp gauge. It normally runs about 110 in winter. Lately it has been running anywhere from 120-150. if I stop driving for 5 min or so the temp will skyrocket, rising about a degree every 3-4 seconds. Highest ive seen it get was 150. Then as soon as I start driving it drops at about the same rate, evens out around 120. Any ideas?

 

[toy720]

that sounds pretty reasonable to me actually that is pretty good if 150 is the highest you get example from my tranny book the older trannys ran about 175 degrees and the tranny fluid would last abot 100,000 miles before oxidization but for every 20 degrees above that the fluid life was halved so if it ran at 195 degrees the fluid would
generally go 50,000 miles i believe todays trannys run hotter than the older ones under normal driving conditions.In my opinion again i think you are ok.

 

[Glacier991]

It would be interesting, as more folks install sensitive temp units in their Explorers, to get a consensus on how the temps vary. Here is how I would estimate your situation. (I will assume you have the after radiator auxilliary cooler.)

When you are driving, most often you are in TC lockup. The TC, unlocked, is a big heat producer. Locked ... not so. Also when you are driving you have airflow over the front mounted aux cooler, which in winter is pretty darned effective in reducing the temps of the ATF.

You stop, and your TC is now running unlocked.... and producing heat. Without the aid of external airflow by movement (esp if you are running an electric fan, in which case in winter you probably have ZERO airflow when you first come to rest) the "artificially low" tranny temps (110 is quite low in normal tranny temp consideration) as demonnstrated by your gauge on the tranny, will head back up into more normal territory.... largely due to the TC heat not being dissipated as fast as it is produced, until it hits stasis at around 150.

Anyhow, those are my thoughts.

 

[sn0border88]

well, in summer 150 was normal temp, but since its gotten cold its been around 110, untill this started. But good advice, so in short, this is nothing to worry about?

 

[Glacier991]

I'd not worry.

 

[gijoecam]

indeed, the extra COLD air moving across the cooler would explain the decrease based on where your sensor is located. Up-stream of the cooler, it should be a bit warmer than that even. Coming out of the radiator, it should be running at about 180 or so I would think, since the radiator inlet is at 195.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. 150 isn't excessively hot by any stretch.



-Joe

 

[Rhett]

well, in summer 150 was normal temp, but since its gotten cold its been around 110, untill this started. But good advice, so in short, this is nothing to worry about?

sn0border88, where did you mount your digital temp gauge? Forgive me if you posted this info somewhere else...

 

[sn0border88]

on the drivers pillar, im thinking of adding some more gauges there, water temp, ect.

 

[Glacier991]

Where did you get the pod? I've been wanting to mount a pod but haven't found one for the 92, and the more generic ones leave me wondering....

 

[sn0border88]

pm bigcheck1, he put it on there.

 

[toy720]

i hope God forgives you ?

 

[Albino 94LTD]

Where did you get the pod? I've been wanting to mount a pod but haven't found one for the 92, and the more generic ones leave me wondering....

Glacier, this is the Autometer 15309 for a Ranger from Summit, $21.95. The fit isn't perfect but pretty close;

 

[Glacier991]

Thanks! I think I may have to get one

 

[sn0border88]

i hope God forgives you ?

What?

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Very neat installation, Albino.
I assume the rocker switch is for night illumination.....?

 

[Albino 94LTD]

No, it turns on the fan on the SECOND auxillary cooler for towing our boat at slow speeds. I re-painted it and it matches the rest of the interior much better.