4spd auot temp sender unit

dagsy · Post by **dagsy** » Sat Oct 04, 2003 11:00 pm

where can i find the atf temp sender unit for a 1990 awd 4spd auto. want to install a guage rather than the standard idiot light

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 12:50 am

Does this picture help at all?

www.graphics.cornell.edu/~v/pics/atf_temp.gif

It may be simpler to cut the line going to the ATF cooler in the radiator or something, though...

Post by **Legacy777** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 2:26 am

you may be able to tap into the sendor at the TCU

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8 ... _page1.jpg
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8 ... _page2.jpg

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 4:22 am

I think he wanted to pull the stock sender out and replace it with a sender for an actual gauge... But perhaps one could read the signal from the stock sensor instead.

Post by **Legacy777** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 1:45 pm

ahhh ok...

dagsy · Post by **dagsy** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 11:28 pm

that's right. but if you use the oem sender, it is simply an on/off switch so the guage open circuits. the guage came with a sender so i think a tee tapped into the cooling line might be the easiest option like was mentioned earlier
thanks for your help guys

Post by **Legacy777** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 2:45 am

Not sure I understand what you mean that the OEM sender is on/off....

I have a select monitor and can view my trans temps to the degree.

dagsy · Post by **dagsy** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 6:09 am

it's an oz liberty and only has an at fluid warning light that comes on when the auto fluid gets to hot. not hot sender is off..gets hot sender contacts and lights light. not a switch as such more of a thermo contact. engine oil psi is same.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 6:23 am

Oh, huh... so it's different overseas. On North American models, there is a thermistor-type ATF temperature sensor that the TCU uses. The TCU turns on the warning light if, based on the signal, the temperature is too high.

dagsy · Post by **dagsy** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 6:50 am

like leg777 said i might try the tcu, having had a better look at his pic.
where do i find this tcu

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 7:11 am

The transmission control unit on LHD models is mounted under the driver side dash, kind of between where the ECU and the steering column are. I have no idea where it would be on your RHD model, though. Where is your ECU?

dagsy · Post by **dagsy** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 7:17 am

in between the steering column and the side of the car

dagsy · Post by **dagsy** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 7:18 am

in between the steering column and the side of the car
what does it look like

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 7:47 am

It's a kind of brass-ish colored rectangular box with three black wiring harness connectors:

http://www.graphics.cornell.edu/~v/pics/tcu.jpg

Post by **Legacy777** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 2:23 pm

here's a pic, the labeling is incorrect. It should be TCU, not ECU
http://www.surrealmirage.com/subaru/ima ... tors_1.jpg

As for the little light that comes on. That light may only be an on/off type thing, but more then likely the sender in the transmission measures the full range of tranny temps, and signals the light to go on once the temp reaches a set point.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 3:06 pm

Legacy777 wrote:As for the little light that comes on. That light may only be an on/off type thing, but more then likely the sender in the transmission measures the full range of tranny temps, and signals the light to go on once the temp reaches a set point.

Based on what I've seen in the service manuals, that is correct, except that the light is signaled by the TCU, not by the sender directly.

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4spd auot temp sender unit

4spd auot temp sender unit