Alt Transmisson Temp Sensor Mount

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Like many of us that have moved up to the 03, I was faced with the old "find a place to mount and set up my gauges". Seeing this was my first venture into Dodge Auto Transmission Land the one thing I wanted was a Transmission Temp. Gauge. What I found was many opinions and various ways to handle this. From buying a tranny pan with a fitting for a monitoring device, various aftermarket lines and ones from previous models that would fit with a fitting for monitoring, a splice in fitting for monitoring, even a tranny dipstick method, etc and etc. Then there were discussions on what was the best sensor location, in the pan, in the line going to the cooler, in a dipstick hole or where ever. All had advantages and the prices varied considerably.

Then in my reading and re-reading of various and numerous TDR post on this subject I read an old post from TDR member CBALLA back on 9-6-01. In his post I found a suggestion and method I had not read about before and it made a lot of sense to me. It was simple, cheap and the temp was being taken from the area most agreed on and some insisted on, the line running from the tranny to the cooler.

This is what he done. He purchased a dipstick monitoring device from Geno's but after obtaining it found that it was a sensor of the type he was knowledgeable of and had worked with in his profession. A thermister type sensor that was not only good for monitoring temps in liquids but also monitoring surface temperatures. He installed his gauge but installed the sensor not in the dipstick, but routed it to the transmission line from the transmission to the cooler and mounted it there. He used some cleaner on the line at the mounting location and secured the sensor to it with 3M electricians tape.

I contacted CBALLA about his method to see how it was working and found out that not only was he getting the same temp readings or very close to those reported by those with sensors in this line but it has been there doing the job for the past 2 and 1/2 years with no problems, not even needing re-taped. So we have easy access, cheap, at the right location, nothing in the transmission itself and no source for new leaks.

Today I, following CBALLA's system installed mine the same way. Will it work? Well were going to give it a heck of a work out in the next two to three weeks. I'm go back to hauling RV's for that period and should put on 15 to 20K miles in that time. I will keeping a close watch on it including the temps at various loads and driving conditions (I normally haul west from IN into or through the Rockies to the West Coast and BC, Canada), the mounting and etc. to give a follow up on our return for those interested.

It will no doubt not be for everyone but for me I think this will be just fine. By the way I put a Westack gauge in the rubber donut mount on the left side of my steering wheel at the bottom of the dash. Run the sensor probe through the brake release grommet and along the brake release cable directly down to the first vertical bend in the line (closest to the tranny) from the tranny to the cooler. Mounted the sensor on the backside of that tranny line (when the vehicle is going or facing forward). Took it out tonight for about a 25 mile run, empty. Was reading 149 at 65 mph on slightly rolling highway and freeway. Backed up 25 ft putting her up and it went to 151 real quick. So it is responding very quickly, I can see that already.

Hope this may help some of you out there and we'll keep in touch but will not be on the net or reachable for the next few weeks. Good luck and thanks CBALLA, I think you have a great idea here, Thank You.