Trans temp running high consistently on gauge.

Hey, I've been reading for a while and finally have a question. At about 138,000, I noticed my trans temp gauge started sitting 1.5 ticks right of middle at operating temp and not coming down in park or neutral. At 138,080 that prompted me to do a full trans fluid exchange, the old fluid was dark, looked like very used engine oil, but did not smell burnt. Did another pan drain and fill with 5 quarts and the level check process at 138,130 and neither has brought down the temp, same with leaving it pinned open. Sorry for not having an actual trans temp, but any information would be helpful, I've also not experienced any transmission damage signs of slippage or anything.

 

Welcome! Sort of a blessing since it prompted you to change out all the fluid. If your fluid is full and the outside of your trans cooler isn't filthy, it's probably fine. I would use an infrared temperature gun and see what your transmission pan is at when your gauge is full temp. Also consider getting a scan tool or blue tooth obd dongle or even a scangauge so you can monitor trans temp another other data.

 

I checked the pan temp with my hand, felt warm but easy to keep my hand on, where does the trans temp gauge read from? TC? I'll probably just have to pull the trigger on a scangauge though.

 

I'm not sure where the trans temp gauge reads from. I do know there's two temp sensors in the trans. One is converter outlet temp and one is pan temp. With the right scanner or obd unit with the right pids, you can monitor both temps individually. I'm guessing the dash gauge is pan temp as the converter temp will always flare up when the converter is unlocked and doing work.

 

Read the actual temp. Nearly any cheapo gauge or a $10 Bluetooth adapter to your phone will do it.

 

Just got an OBD2 dongle and read it with OBD Fusion, after going and burning some gas trying to get my temp as high as possible, it was 209F at the TC for a split second on a steep grade at ~30 mph. Dash gauge is wrong, but I've been a hypochondriac