Just out of curiosity, could the temp sensor be put it the cooler line somewhere? Maybe before the cooler with the right fittings. I'd also like to add a guage, possibly one coming out of the cooler so I would have both readings, hot and cold.

 

You can add one in the cooler line. Autometer makes some manifold for it. I'm not sure which line you put it in and I don't think you get readings of hot and cold but I'm not sure.

 

On a regular day if i'm just cruising down the highway or driving easily in town, I run around 145/155 (first number is from the pan, second is from the servo port). If i'm in stop go traffic or driving hard, I can get it up to 160/175 easily. When i'm towing/hauling loads, I run about 180/190. In my worst towing situation, I have seen 220/240.

I think having the temp sensor in the pressure line leaving the trans would be a great place for your "hot" reading. Then, the return line going back to the trans after the cooler would give a good "cool" reading, but I think the pan would be better for that, escpecially if you have an extra capacity alum pan with cooling fins, you'll be getting additional cooling from your pan.

 

How long does it take to get up to temp?
For your switch where you can switch between the pan and the servo port did you just put the wires on a regular toggle switch or how did you do that? I'm kind of curious as I'm kind of wanting to do that too after Wayne telling me I should put it in the pan. I'm thinking both would be nice and not sure if I'd be better running 2 gauges or just a switch like you are doing. I think a switch would be way cheaper.

 

Wow, 240* is damn hot. I was told that when mine burn up it just reached 215*. the tranny shop said over 190 is bad, but I guess thats a prolonged exposure.

hometheaterman, here is a basic chart for transmission temp ranges.
http://www.txchange.com/heatchrt.htm

 

Actually, according to the Chrysler service manual for our Rams, 195-210 is normal operating temp range for our transmissions. The trans temp light on the dash doesn't get illuminated until 275. So I don't think 240 did any damage, but I change the fluid after that trip just to be on the safe side.

For the switch, I installed a SPDT switch. The sending units connect to the switch, and then the switch is wired to the single gauge. I'll try to take some pics, but since it is installed, my pics won't show you much.

 

So basically just something like this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-LOT-10-MINI-...d=p3286.c0.m14

I think it should be a fairly easy install. I just wasn't sure if the switch would mess with the temperature reading or not. Sounds like a really good idea. I'm seriously thinking about running 2 gauges but I just don't want to do that so the switch sounds like a way better idea.

Wouldn't you also be basically backfeeding the switch?

 

Yes, like that, except that I used a switch that is compatible with our vehicles 12V systems.

What do you mean by backfeeding the switch?

 

Wouldn't you normally connect one power wire and then 2 things to it like lights or whatever? So by connecting one wire to the gauge and 2 from the sending unit aren't you connecting 2 power wires and sending it backwards to the gauge? Or am I thinking totally off here?

As for those switches I just did a quick search to get one for an example.

 

The power is for the gauge. The sending unit signal wire is what you split on the different poles of the switch.