Gauge says my trans is WAY too hot

350dieselsmk · #1 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 06:48 AM

So earlier in the year I was putting my trans temp sender in the inspection port and it sheared. well this weekend i got it out and put the new one it. after driving for about 10 minutes its up at 250 but shifts same as usual. Im thinking i have a grounding issue. The other day i had an O/D light but that was after hammering on it on the highway for a while. I don't think i would get proper shifting if my trans was actually at 250. My trans is not at its strongest point right now and is going to need a rebuild in the next few months but having it that hot and shifting normally confuses me. also on my way back to school last night (234 mile drive) the temp seemed to drop a few degrees when i passed a buss going up hill. weird?

thanks
Will

**SuperCrutyPS** · #2 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 07:14 AM

I would agree that you probably have an electrical issue. Going to 250* in 10 minutes seems excessive. OTOH, if you're thinking you're going to need a rebuild soon, you could have some internal issues generating some heat in there.

As far as shifting fine at 250*, mine would do that too. When pulling my 5th wheel up a long grade, the tranny was getting hot, but seemed to shift just fine. One thing I did to bring temps down was install a 6.0L tranny cooler. It's 31-rows vs the 9-row that came with the 7.3L. It doesn't run that hot anymore. You might want to check to see if you have air-flow blockage. The cooler sits between the Intercooler and the AC condenser down low. Most of it sits low enough that it's behind the bumper.

**chvyrkr** · #3 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 07:17 AM

You know you're supposed to be lookin at fluid temp right?

Not sure where the inspection port is, but my sensor is in my pan.

350dieselsmk · #4 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 07:17 AM

Good to know. thanks for the info. I am going to go check the ground. its tied into a main feed along with the egt gauge should it have it own ground or can it be tied into a common?

350dieselsmk · #5 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chvyrkr81

You know you're supposed to be lookin at fluid temp right?

Not sure where the inspection port is, but my sensor is in my pan.

Did you drill and tap it into your pan or is there a port? All I've heard of was going into the inspection port or tapping into the line going to the cooler

**chvyrkr** · #6 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 07:28 AM

Inspection port is gonna soak up alot of case heat, and not give you an accurate reading in my opinion. Not sure exactly where is is on yours, what year?

But, I have an extra deep pan, that came with a tapped hole for that purpose. Line to cooler is another good place.

Bottom line, don't care how hot the case is, I wanna know what shape my fluid is in. Just like I look at Engine Oil Temp and Coolant temp. Not block temp or radiator temp.