Add Trans. Temp Gauge?

SmokeyStog · 07-16-2004, 01:20 PM

Is it possible to have to OEM trans temp guage added to a Non-Big Tow?

I'm not super concerned with it as I intend to tow fairly well below the limit, and it's nice to know that the Titan already had the trans cooler, but it would be nice to keep on eye on it.

Thanks.

bestatchess · 07-16-2004, 04:55 PM

Message pciley. I think he checked into this.

pciley · 07-16-2004, 05:30 PM

I checked into the price of the guage, which I have since forgotten.. sorry.
I know the trans cooler exhists and there is a port for the temperature probe:

Do we need to purchase the temperature probe? $?

The guage is easily added behind the guage cluster, that center piece knocks out where the trans temp guage will go.

Is the trans cooler the same for BT vs. non BT? I think I would need to examine both trucks side by side to figure that one out.

I am not sure if this mod will be as simple as tapping into an existing wire coming from the trans if the temp sensor already exhists, or if you would have to install the sensor, run the wiring, and add the guage. Let me know if you find out.

SmokeyStog · 07-16-2004, 07:21 PM

Thanks for the info.

bestatchess · 07-16-2004, 09:03 PM

If you read the service manual regarding the procedure for checking the ATF level, the dealer is supposed to read a certain temperature for the tranny on their diagnostic computer. This means there must be a temp sensor. I also believe that the computer control for the tranny gets input from a temp sensor. So I think the issue is whether there is a harness/connector in place to add the dash gauge.

pciley · 07-20-2004, 09:51 PM

I am hesitant to rip the cluster out to find out. It seems like every time I take a vehicle's dash apart (usually more than once ;-) That the rattles start. Plastic pins and metal clips just don't fit back as tightly as they come from the factory.

I seriously doubt that the harness is behind there ready to plug into. More than likely, a wire will have to be tapped somewhere.
The Titans have proven NOT to have any extra wiring for packages you didn't get, unfortunately. This is true of the fog lights, the power window/door locks (XE, even has different BCM), etc.

pciley · 07-24-2004, 10:17 AM

Good news..

The trans temp guageS exhist. There are two. They send a signal to the CAN, which sends it up to the Meter Control Unit and then to the temp guage on the cluster.

I took apart my guage cluster and I was wrong, that plastic circle does NOT just punch out. You would have to cut or grind it out. I would probably use a round dremel bit as opposed to hacking at it with a knife. Or if you are very anal, you can just buy the guage bezel insert from parts that is for the Big Tow equipped vehicles that has the hole for the trans temp guage... prob. not necessary if you have a steady hand though.

The wires that feed to the guage from the temp sensors are white and red, pins 11 and 12 on the wire harness that hits the back of the guage cluster.
The wiring exhists, but the guage needs to be installed.

ALSO, once you cut out the circle, The reading area that shows what temp the trans is EXHISTS ALSO!!! Good news, so you won't have to take everything apart and buy a new guage backing.

Sorry I don't know the technical names for all the parts, so I have taken pictures and pointed at what I am talking about. They will be posted later today.

Looks like all you need to do is buy the actual guage and install it. Again, the wiring and sensors exhist and the installation looks fairly straight-forward. All the parts are very accessible with the guage cluster out.

MikeZ · 07-24-2004, 01:42 PM

This is very good news, can't wait to see the pics!

juma · 07-24-2004, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pciley

Good news..

Looks like all you need to do is buy the actual guage and install it. Again, the wiring and sensors exhist and the installation looks fairly straight-forward. All the parts are very accessible with the guage cluster out.

....but, can you buy the guage? I'm would bet you have to buy a whole cluster. I rootin' for you on this one though. msut be raining where you are today if you got nothing to do but tear your dash apart:>) juma

Optimist · 07-24-2004, 04:16 PM

Excellent work brother Titan.
Wouldn’t any electrical same size gauge work just fine? I linked this page since it also shows a diff. gauge of the same line.
http://hp.autometer.com/products/zse...ic_gauges.html

pciley · 07-25-2004, 11:51 AM

That would be great. If Nismo ever makes a blower, I will get a 2 or 3 guage pillar pod for the driver's side window pillar with a boost guage, and maybe that one.

However, for now, I'm trying to make everything look as OEM as possible. Adding a trans temp guage to an existing and intended place in the cluster is something that I would like to do.

Here are the pics... WOW they really came out "THUPER". I don't know what the hell happened but my over priced camera with too many gizmos doesn't work as well as my old $129 job I bought at Best Buy.

If you squint, look cross-eyed and upside down you can see in the first picture when I remove the bezel cover that the reading area for the trans temp guage is there, just under where you would cut the plastic circle out.

In the 3rd shot, each of those white circles is the plastic motor housing for each meter. You can see in the middle of the three meters on the left side of the guage cluster that there is a space in the middle where the Trans Temp guage would go. What you can't see cuz the picture sucks is that there are existing electric terminals on the wafer board that (due to the existing wiring on the harness) we can assume would power the guage.

A mistake I made:

When I was removing the guages, the plastic cover on the front of the dash was a bit$% to get off. I had to cycle the key so that I could move the shifter into a lower position on the column to give more clearance. When I cycled the key with the guages unplugged it logged something into memory and when I got everything back together and went grocery shopping, the SES light was on.

I would suggest using more common sense than I did and UNPLUG THE BATTERY before taking apart the dash. Also, instead of cycling the key to move the shifter, just push the little metal piece away from the shifter lock mechanism when the column surround piece is off (you will see this when you take off the plastic from around the steering column).
I hope by leaving the batt. disconnected over night the light goes away.
If I take it to the dealer to get reset, they are going to think I was trying to wind back the odometer or something.

pciley · 07-25-2004, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juma

.... msut be raining where you are today if you got nothing to do but tear your dash apart:>) juma

hehe.. no the girlfriend sleeps in till 10am on weekends and I am up by 7am with time to kill. I can't mow the lawn that early or the neighbors will shoot me so I sit in my garage and break things on my new truck

I never understood how people can sleep in so late on a beautiful sunny weekend. I feel like my life is being wasted by sleeping. What gives!?

MikeZ · 07-25-2004, 12:16 PM

Thanks again for the info. Does anyone know the part number to the gauge itself? Before you tell me to call my local Nissan parts dept, these are the same two guys that to this day are still arguing with me that my XE CC 4x2 IS prewired for fog lights.!!!argh...

pciley · 07-25-2004, 04:30 PM

Call another one

Those guys sound like a bunch of dumba$$es

I will stop by after work on Monday and get a price, so this time I'll remember to write down the part # for you.

MikeZ · 07-25-2004, 05:37 PM

If you only knew. Seriously, if you ever travel to FL and want to meet Mo, Curly and Larry, drop me a line and I will take you over there to meet them. And i found out, it isnt just Titan stuff. My wife owns a 2004 Altima 3.5 and its the same story, a bunch of head scratching.
Thanks in advance for part number!!