Transmission temperature gauge install

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ruswin

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Hey all.. I would like to install a temp transmission gauge in my 94 Mark viii so I can monitor how well my aftermarket oil cooler is working when it is 115'F here in Phoenix. Has anyone done an install? Where is the easiest point to install the temp sender unit. Is there a port in the trany case I can use? It looks like there is enough space to the right of my cigarette lighter behind the shifter to put the gauge there, I am not sure about clearance behind it though. I am looking at installing a Sunpro CP 8211 gauge. If anyone has any other ideas or suggestions, please share! THANKS!
 
OK... so I am hoping to cut a hole in that small panel next to the rear defrost button and running it... where? What is the easiest way to get the small single wire to the fluid line near the trans? I don't really like the idea of drilling holes through the tunnel.
I like the idea of using an inline setup with the temp of the fluid going to the aftermarket cooler being sensed, but I am sure that I don't want to impede flow throw the tubing. I am thinking about using a tee fitting and inserting the 1/4" NPT temp sensor into the middle point on the tee. Any better ideas?
 
ruswin said:
...I am thinking about using a tee fitting and inserting the 1/4" NPT temp sensor into the middle point on the tee. Any better ideas?
Click to expand...

Sounds like mine...

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Is that a standard brass tee & what size is it?

Where did you run the wire down from above?
 
ruswin said:
Is that a standard brass tee & what size is it?

Where did you run the wire down from above?
Click to expand...

It is a 1/4" NPT brass tee. I used a compression fitting to 1/4" NPT male fitting for the hardline connection and a 1/4" NPT male barb hose connector on the hose connection to the cooler. The branch of the tee has a 1/4" NPT bushing to fit the sending unit. The bushing came with the temperature gauge kit. It fits so the tip of the sending unit is at the run of the tee without impeding flow through the tee. I find it very responsive to temperature changes and have verified the gauge readings with a digital infrared pyrometer.

The wire from the sending unit follows the battery cable harness through to the engine compartment then along another wire harness to the firewall to the temp gauge in the passenger cabin.

The gauge is discretely mounted to the lower instrument panel to the right of the steering column.
 
Here is a follow up to the install. I have completed the installation. I used a Sunpro CP8211 from Autozone (special order) that cost $26. I bought a brass 1/4" npt tee and (2) 5/16" tubing compression fittings that get installed inline with the tee. Total cost about $40 or less. The electrical sender to the gauge gets inserted into the other port in the tee with an adapter that is included with the gauge. I used a piece of #14 solid copper wire to run between the sender and the gauge. The solid wire can retain it's shape when bent and also was easier to push through the rubber boot. The wire goes down to the sender through a small hole I punched in the rubber boot where the trans electrical harness goes through under the shifter trim plate. The wire follows the trans cooler lines most of the way. I drilled a 2 1/16" hole for the gauge in the shifter trim panel next to the rear defrost switch. I also tapped the 12v power and ground from the cigarette lighter located there. I also attached a short piece of stranded (flexible wire) from the solid wire under the shifter, to the gauge so that if and when the panel is removed again, the solid wire will not interfere. The brass tee was installed in the line going to the coolers. (I already installed an aux cooler in series with the stock radiator cooler). The finished gauge looks good where it is located, out of direct sight, but perfectly visible to the driver when in D. Other than the red needle instead of the stock white ones, it looks like a good match.

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That looks AWESOME! I plan to do this to my Mk8 sometime soon.
 
wow yeah! that looks really clean!

i also am curious on trans temps you see!

Great job!
 
I just took it out for a test drive today after installing a used trans from a 98 Marquis (see other thread). It hit 100'F here in Phoenix today. Took it out on the highway and the gauge was reading between 170 and 180.

What do you mean
kustomizingkid ^Your 160 tstat will probably up your transmission.... watch out!
Click to expand...

What is all of the talk about the "4th trans from that t-stat"? All I did is install a temp gauge so I can monitor the trans fluid temp.
 
ruswin said:
What do you mean

What is all of the talk about the "4th trans from that t-stat"? All I did is install a temp gauge so I can monitor the trans fluid temp.
Click to expand...

lol...KK was just yanking 98cobrastarlsc's chain with an inside joke on 98cobrastarlsc's t-stat
 
Me and him have 160 degree thermostats, and due to sheeple type "wisdom" on the net people think that a cold tstat will make your car run improperly, get bad gas milleage, wear out, etc....

It is WRONG info and well, 160 tstat FTW!
 
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