I've installed Bully Dog EGT, Boost and Tranny temp gauges. The only thing that I have left to do, is install the sending unit on the transmition. I'm going to tap it into the pan, but I'm not so sure how I want to hook it up to the sending wire. It doesn't have a threaded or plug in fitting on it. The best that I can describe it, it looks kinda like a nail head that sticks out 1/8". Should I simply solder the wire to the sending unit? Am I missing a piece? :(

Not familiar with the BD gauges, but I just installed ISSPRO EGT, Boost, and Trans Temp gauges. The sending unit on the ISSPRO is a threaded plug. Made it very easy to thread into the existing pressure port. Pressure port is located on the driver's side of the trans, between the linkage. It's tapped 1/8" NPT, and so was the sending unit. I'd check around further , I believe you may be in fact missing a piece.

Good luck.

Trans temps should be measured by sampling the oil in the pan. That's the oil temp you need to know. It's the oil that's about to go into the trans and go to work!

The sending unit you speak of has the "nail head" end just like a standard water temp sender had for 25+ years. it takes a flat female spade type wire end. It usually is covered with a plastic end that has a slot in it to go over the pin and stop it at the right spot on the wire end. Check any small block Chev water temp sender (lt. cyl head between #1 and #3 spark plug) for a sample.

If you have an old GM chassis sitting around, cut the wire and connector off and splice it to your existing temp sender wire.

These connectors were used all over, under the hood and under the dash up until the very late '80's or early '90s. Somewhat uncommon today, but still in use.

Fred482,
I want to address sending unit location. I see two different opinions. It makes sence when you say you want to know what the tranny fluid temp is just prior to going into tranny. But I also have read where you need to know how hot the tranny fluid is on its way to cooler to know whether you are pushing it to hard and going to burn something up. I have my sender in line on the way to the cooler and it shows 300-320degrees at times. This seems to be pretty hot. The tranny shop told me the fluid starts to really break down at about 375 degrees. I am going to place one in the pan and see what the temps are entering the tranny and do some comparing.

I think I'll try to get it into the existing port. There must be a consistent relationship between the temp at the port and the temp at the pan. Similar to pre and post turbo egt's. If you know what you're reading, you know where you're at.....right?

I think I'll try to get it into the existing port. There must be a consistent relationship between the temp at the port and the temp at the pan. Similar to pre and post turbo egt's. If you know what you're reading, you know where you're at.....right?

That's my theory. With the sender in the pressure port you may not get the extreme high temperature reading. It's a matter of establishing some baselines and staying close but not going over.

i have mine on the left side of the tranny above the pan, and i am told this is a high temp return line. this s where i have my sending unit, this way i can ready the hottest temp of the tranny. this will show the first sign of something going wrong temp wise if you think about it.

i installed the drop pan, and the front cooler taking it out of the rad all the way. BIIIIIG difference!!

Temp sensor is installed in port on drivers' side....Hey, it's better than the factory setup:D ....

When taking the reading from a pressure port, are you getting a "dead head" reading? I would think the fluid would not circulate in the end of the port, against the sending unit. The reading from the pan is taken in constantly circulating oil. Just a thought.

I know the fluid returning from work and heading to the cooler is much hotter than the fluid returning from the cooler. Testing this would tell the efficiency of the cooler. After the fluid returns to the pan, it may begin to soak up some heat from the trans above but this would be minimal. The aluminum case gives off heat in all directions.

The fluid temps leaving the pan, going to work in the trans are critical. That's where I would want to know how hot it is. It's nice to know when you have warmed the oil up enough to put a load on it also. That's where the factory radiator cooler/warmer comes in. You should be able to see the fluid warm as radiator reaches operating temp when driven on a cold startup. If idling along in traffic, the only warmup of trans fluid comes from the radiator. (Unless you power-brake it at the stoplights.):)

When taking the reading from a pressure port, are you getting a "dead head" reading? I would think the fluid would not circulate in the end of the port, against the sending unit. The reading from the pan is taken in constantly circulating oil. Just a thought.



I dont think so. IIRC it is not a dead end but more of a "T" with one leg being the port.

I have had mine in there for over a year and I checked a couple of times and my temp gauge reading is within a percent or two of what I read with an infrared gun on the bottom of the tranny pan.

Not an exacting science, but good enough for my concience.

Tim

Cool, didn't know if it was a tap into a horizontal passage or a dead end hole. Sounds like it's a good place to tap into. Fred

Any chance someone could post a pic of this location??

Thanks

It's a tough spot to photograph. I had to remove both the front and rear tranny linkage bolts and rotate the rear of the linkage down in order to gain access. You pretty much have to feel around for it. It's probably 2 inches aft of where the shifter linkage enters the housing, and maybe an inch higher. Should be a 7/16 socket that fits the plug. There's no mistaking it once it's out, you'll see the tranny fluid on it. Hope that helps.

On my 2wd, it was pretty easy to get to, I didnt have to remove any linkage. just above and behind the shifter shaft. Once you unscrew it, you will see the threads and tip of the plug looks just like those on the sending unit.

Tim

I probably didn't have to remove anything either, but I did find it a little easier to get at after rotating the linkage out of the way... either way, keep looking for the port, it's there!!:grd:

Thanks Guys!
Tonight I put my sensor in the tranny as suggested, super easy ...nice and slick!, I also removed the linkage, it just made it a little easier to get at. BTW what would be a base line temp with the sender in this location?

Thanks Guys!
Tonight I put my sensor in the tranny as suggested, super easy ...nice and slick!, I also removed the linkage, it just made it a little easier to get at. BTW what would be a base line temp with the sender in this location?

My sender is in the same location. At highway speeds (70mph), empty, on a warm day (75*F), I run about 175* trans temp. Your mileage may vary.