Transmission fluid temp

[TDIPowerstroke]

Last night my fluid temp climbed to 230* for no appearant reason, I had my cruise on 65, I pulled over and the fluid level was good, and it shifted just fine. On my way to work it stayed around 160* like usual, could it have been my gauge or sensor?

[tony0713]

Originally Posted by TDIPowerstroke

Last night my fluid temp climbed to 230* for no appearant reason, I had my cruise on 65, I pulled over and the fluid level was good, and it shifted just fine. On my way to work it stayed around 160* like usual, could it have been my gauge or sensor?

had the same exact problem while plowing. noticed it was gettin hot so I let it sit at idle for a good 30 min. gauge didn't move. went and felt the trans cooler and it wasnt hot at all. I think the gauge had a hiccup, because even the next morning at 20* it still was at 230. been workin ever since.

[BigFuel]

Where is the gauge sending unit? Some kits install inline with the tranny cooler, some mount into the catch pan, and others install into the side of the transmission itself.

[tony0713]

I have mine in the side of the trans.

[BigFuel]

That's were it aught to be. I'll agree with the hiccup. Watch it the next couple days.

[tony0713]

it happened it January, while it was 20* outside. hasn't even hit 190 since.

[BigFuel]

Almost all the heat in a tranny will come from the torque converter and the lock up clutch inside it. Being summer time now everything may feel fine as you drive it but do a "test" the next time the tranny's warm. At full lock up accelerate kinda hard, not hard enough to kick down, but hard enough to see if the tach on the motor increases out of sync with the speedo. If it does then your torque converter is on its way out and overheating the tranny. Sometimes at the end of this test you'll even feel the trans and motor sync back as the lock up clutch will hold at the lower stress. This test by no means rules out the number 4 clutch pack I'm afraid as both are used in conjunction for overdrive.