As transmission temperature gauges are not common in the factory gauge cluster unless you have a towing specific package, I thought I would share a quick mod I did to my 2012 Ram 1500 that has a transmission cooler behind the grill (a big radiator of sorts), yet there is no transmission temperature gauge, only a warning light that comes on at 275 degrees F, which is WAAAY TOO LATE as shown in the photo below:
Full disclosure, my truck is the middle package that has the trans cooler, but not the fancy gauge cluster with the trans temp gauge.
I looked at buying an Ultragauge to plug into my OBDII port, however the rude dismissal by their Customer Service tream to "read our FAQ page" (I did read it prior to writing my email) after I emailed them about the RAM encrypted BCM/computer system told me that they have poor customer service, and I won't be doing business with them.
So onto Amazon to find a temperature gauge, and after considerable review of pyrometers, digital thermistors, and the like, I decided on a $25 mechanical temp gauge with the desired temp range and it had a copper clad capillary tube and 6 foot sensor line.
Upon receipt I opened the package and tested the capillary tube with a Bic lighter from 2 inches away and the gauge climbed.
Next I researched online which line coming out of the transmission went to the trans cooler (hot fluid to be cooled) and decided where I was going to drill a hole in my floor pan, as it was very close to the catalytic converter. I used aluminized tape to attach the Cap tube to the outlet line and added a couple zipties for good measure.
I used a rubber grommet and Duct seal (similar to Plumber's Putty, but all weather use for sealing conduit openings) and covered the exposed sensor line inside the cab in flexible plastic wire sheath then ran it under the carpet next to the firewall as there is a warning not to kink the line.
So here it is:
Full disclosure, my truck is the middle package that has the trans cooler, but not the fancy gauge cluster with the trans temp gauge.
I looked at buying an Ultragauge to plug into my OBDII port, however the rude dismissal by their Customer Service tream to "read our FAQ page" (I did read it prior to writing my email) after I emailed them about the RAM encrypted BCM/computer system told me that they have poor customer service, and I won't be doing business with them.
So onto Amazon to find a temperature gauge, and after considerable review of pyrometers, digital thermistors, and the like, I decided on a $25 mechanical temp gauge with the desired temp range and it had a copper clad capillary tube and 6 foot sensor line.
Upon receipt I opened the package and tested the capillary tube with a Bic lighter from 2 inches away and the gauge climbed.
Next I researched online which line coming out of the transmission went to the trans cooler (hot fluid to be cooled) and decided where I was going to drill a hole in my floor pan, as it was very close to the catalytic converter. I used aluminized tape to attach the Cap tube to the outlet line and added a couple zipties for good measure.
I used a rubber grommet and Duct seal (similar to Plumber's Putty, but all weather use for sealing conduit openings) and covered the exposed sensor line inside the cab in flexible plastic wire sheath then ran it under the carpet next to the firewall as there is a warning not to kink the line.
So here it is:
