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We recently replaced the transmission in the van. I know that it was on its way out after 144k miles. It was slow to shift and the torque converter never felt like it was locking up quickly during shifts. Instead the engine would rev for a couple seconds before the transmission fully engaged. It was because of that, and some smoke from the tranny while climing pikes peak, that I finally decided to add a transmission cooler.
Ironically this is what ultimately caused the demise of the transmission. The rubber lines I installed between hard lines and the transmission cooler were reinforced high pressure fuel line. They were only good for 150 PSI. About half way through our trip from CO to IL one of the lines ruptured. The transmission oil pressure must have gone over 150 PSI. It didn't take long for the transmission to cook without fluid. By the time we realized what was happening, it was too late.
So now Connie has a refurbished transmission. It ended up being reasonably priced from my standpoint having replaced the transmission in the Saab Sonett, my Saab 9000, and my Ford Contour. I am no stranger to transmission replacement. Of course the new transmission cost more than we paid for Connie to start. Still, we couldn't buy a replacement van for less than the transmission. Now we know for sure we will never sell Connie.
In order to protect the new transmission, I am installing two guages.
- Transmission oil temperature
- Transmission oil pressure
I will be installing the temperature sender on a new transmission filter that I am installing between the transmission and the cooler. The pressure sender will be installed on the return line, just after the rubber line hose clamps on to the hard metal line that goes back into the tranmission.
The sole purpose of the pressure guage is to tell me if any of the plumbing has failed. If it drops off to 0, then a line has burst and its time to stop.
Both of these guages have min and max warning lights with an audible alert. This should make it easier for the driver to know when a failure is about to occur.
I just installed the guages in the cab. I have not yet fitted the sender units so there is still more work to be done before these guages provide any real readings.
Pictures
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| | | hole drilled through firewall to route the sender leads through | | | | | close up of new hole in driver footwell | | | | | here is that hole in the engine compartment | | | | | | I will be tapping into the stereo wiring for the guage power | | | | | guages need ground, pos always on, pos switched, and dimmer. All 4 are available at the stereo | | | | | lines tapped into, ready to run to the guages | | | | | new guages installed. They are flashing because the senders are not connected yet | | | | | trans oil pressure on left, trans oil temperature on the right | | | | | wires are run along weather stripping on the door frame up to the guages | | | 