My Gap llBT can read ATF temp

Good to have confirmation that the GAP IID does read ATF temperature but it’s by no means an inexpensive option and is otherwise quite limited in what it can do on an FL2.

One of the issues related to ensuring exactly the correct amount of fluid in the gearbox could be that the fluid temperature determines many aspects of the operation of the box via signals from the sensor to the Powertrain Control Module. If there is too much fluid then it perhaps doesn’t reach the correct temperature and thus the box doesn’t operate correctly. Likewise, too little fluid will overheat and also result in the box not operating correctly. Specifying a temperature at which the fluid level is checked ensures that exactly the correct amount of fluid is in the box and thus that the temperature signal sent to the PCM is based on an exact pre-determined set of parameters.

the bearmach hawkeye that I used when we had our FL2 could read transmission temperature Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

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One of the issues related to ensuring exactly the correct amount of fluid in the gearbox could be that the fluid temperature determines many aspects of the operation of the box via signals from the sensor to the Powertrain Control Module.

Quote:

If there is too much fluid then it perhaps doesn’t reach the correct temperature and thus the box doesn’t operate correctly. Likewise, too little fluid will overheat and also result in the box not operating correctly.

Thanks, as always, Alex. If I could physically do the job myself, I’d do as you suggest but I have to farm it out so was simply looking for a simple and reliable way for the garage to check the gearbox oil temperature - hence my purchase of the iCarsoft as I had been assured by the supplier that it provided ATF temperature. But it doesn’t.

In the event the garage didn’t have time to do the gearbox so it will have to wait for a week or two.

Simon J - can I ask who are you using for your work. Dealer or Indy. I would be interested in knowing a good Indy.

I’ll drop you a PM

ICarsoft have now provided me with updated firmware and I am now getting ATF temperature. Mindful of other devices which seem simply to use engine coolant temperature for ATF temperature I’ve done a few checks and the ATF is never the same as engine coolant. From a cold start at idle, engine coolant temperature rises slowly but steadily as you would expect but ATF temperature lags well behind it. After some miles in traffic today ATF temperature at 75 degrees was around 5 degrees lower than engine coolant with engine oil temperature being more or less the same as, but not identical to, engine coolant temperature.

So progress, but I’ll probably do a comparison using SDD (if I can find where ATF temperature data is!) just to reassure myself that the iCarsoft is reasonably accurate.

is that a global update to the Icarsoft firmware or just something they sent you?

That's good news. I'd be pretty confident that the transmission temp numbers the software upgrade from icarsoft are accurate from you description. Hopefully they have made the software upgrade available to everyone as well!
Yes, transmission temps generally lag coolant quite a bit. I am hoping to try out the LR V2.0 late this week once I get some time to familiarize myself with the software, will post back if the transmission temp is available in that version's software.

As far as I know, it’s not yet a global software update. I’ve raised a few other issues with them which they are following up on, namely that a lot of the data elements give a 'N/A' return. For example engine coolant temperature is listed under the gearbox data but returns N/A when queried. It is, however, available under engine data.

But it does seem to be a fairly decent bit of kit. It’s robustly made with a substantial cable connection to the OBD port so can withstand a few knocks in the workshop. While a Bluetooth OBD dongle connected to a phone or tablet is neat, I’d always be concerned about dropping something!

Hi Simon,

My icarsoft V2 is giving a transmission fluid temp reading between 4.5 & 5.5 degrees. This after a 20min drive on three separate occasions. Any views on this? I suspect the temp sensor has failed?

Incidentally, I’ve drained and filled 4 times over two weeks to get the freshest oil in this auto box and anticipate I’ve got circa 7.5lts in there, it’s a lot smoother now.

I really couldn't offer any advice on this I'm afraid. But certainly 4-5 degrees is a bit low!

Mine worked fine once I got the software update (but they've never come back to me on the other issues I raised).

Thanks Simon.

I think the fluid temp sensor is located inside the auto gearbox, I’m hoping members could offer conformation on this and advice on method of change