Remote Transmission Dip Stick Aftermarket Support?

[Msfitoy]

I installed the MBS dipstick this morning. Super easy project. I didn’t want to fry my fingers and forearm so I did the install cold. I checked the level on the plastic dipstick and it was above all the marks. Installed the MBS stick and checked it again, of course it was to the top of the marks. I went for a 10 mile drive on the interstate to warm everything up and checked it a couple more times. The fluid level appears to be a little low. (3-3.5 mark)

Question for those that have added fluid....how many ounces between each numbered mark?

Did you take the reading while engine is running or off?

10 miles is probably not enough to warm up the fluid to optimal temp...I'm guessing it probably only reached 170-180F...20 miles gets me to 190F...need to drive for an hour to get to 200F...

That said, something doesn't sound right...if a cold/run reading at 6 (for example) would translate to 5 when hot, then 3 cold/run reading would translate as 2!? That would be extremely LOW...

Sponsored

 

[Msfitoy]

I did the "Grumpaw Mod" today and was able to get a better reading...appears to be right at the punch mark and that 1/4 quart I added probably was too much...I pumped out the same amount and the reading is right around 4 at 205F...going to leave it at that and call it good...

BTW, I used a 1/4" tube measure out to a foot over the length of the dipstick...had a little trouble getting past a lip that kept the tube from getting to the fluid...eventually succeeded and use a hand pump to draw out the extra fluid into the same half used ULV container so I can accurately read how much was being extracted...

 

[Muscleford]

Two questions....
How do you know the temp of the fluid if you do not have a gauge?
How hot does the fluid need to be?

 

[Msfitoy]

Two questions....
How do you know the temp of the fluid if you do not have a gauge?
How hot does the fluid need to be?

Two ways...one is to have a OBD reader that can tap into trans temp sensor (I have)...two, drive for over an hour at highway speeds...temp should be read at operating temp at or over 200F...both methods should get to the right temp...unless you're in sub zero lol...

 

[Grumpaw]

Two questions....
How do you know the temp of the fluid if you do not have a gauge?
How hot does the fluid need to be?

Fluid when checked should be at around 190 to 200 degrees.
With no aftermarket system like some of the apps, or a Scan Gauge there's no easy way to gauge the temp. After driving for around 30-60 minutes at normal speeds, the temp should be at operating temp. Hot day/air temp may speed it up, lower air temps may slow it down a bit.

 

[Big Blue]

Did you take the reading while engine is running or off?

10 miles is probably not enough to warm up the fluid to optimal temp...I'm guessing it probably only reached 170-180F...20 miles gets me to 190F...need to drive for an hour to get to 200F...

That said, something doesn't sound right...if a cold/run reading at 6 (for example) would translate to 5 when hot, then 3 cold/run reading would translate as 2!? That would be extremely LOW...

If he was reading at 3 with the truck running after a 10 mile drive that would be very high not low! Remember the stick is numbered kind of backwards and the lower numbers are higher levels. Even if the transmission wasn't up to temp a running level of 3 is high.

 

[Msfitoy]

If he was reading at 3 with the truck running after a 10 mile drive that would be very high not low! Remember the stick is numbered kind of backwards and the lower numbers are higher levels. Even if the transmission wasn't up to temp a running level of 3 is high.

You're right...Ford started this stupid reverse markings forcing everyone to go through mental gymnastics...

 

[NeilP]

If you are stating that your level is at the 3-3.5 mark, then you appear to be on the high side. Optimal Hot range is between 4-5 @ a transmission fluid temperature range of 206F-215F. Cold (meaning running at idle until warm) is between 5-6.

3-4 is a block above 4-5.

My bad....I forgot that the numbers are backwards. But the fluid level was close to the bottom of the stick. I will take it for another drive tomorrow & recheck it.

 

[NeilP]

I used the nut instead of the clip. I have had issues with these clips rusting and fusing to the bolt in the past. I used some electrical tape to hold the nut to the wrench so I did not lose it in the engine bay.

I may do the same thing. I've glued a lot of nuts to my finger with 3M weather strip glue to get them started in tight places in my wrenching years.

 

[NeilP]

Did you take the reading while engine is running or off?

10 miles is probably not enough to warm up the fluid to optimal temp...I'm guessing it probably only reached 170-180F...20 miles gets me to 190F...need to drive for an hour to get to 200F...

That said, something doesn't sound right...if a cold/run reading at 6 (for example) would translate to 5 when hot, then 3 cold/run reading would translate as 2!? That would be extremely LOW...

The engine was running.

I will take it for a drive and check it again in the morning. As I was sitting here typing earlier today, I was thinking the numbers were opposite of what they are.

I have an appointment to take the Ranger to the dealer in Sturgis SD on Monday the 16th. That will give me about 18 miles on interstate driving at 75 MPH. (for some reason the dealer has to do the SYNC update this time around) That should get it warmed up enough to get a good reading.

 

[FusedLogic]

Two ways...one is to have a OBD reader that can tap into trans temp sensor (I have)...two, drive for over an hour at highway speeds...temp should be read at operating temp at or over 200F...both methods should get to the right temp...unless you're in sub zero lol...

I pulled an old Android tablet of a box over the weekend just so I could load Torque. The iPhone requires a Bluetooth 4.0 OBD reader but what I have is an OBDlink LX device from several years ago. I got all that working but curious to know what software/app you're using. Torque (free version) doesn't have a transmissions temp guage.

 

[TJC]

My bad....I forgot that the numbers are backwards. But the fluid level was close to the bottom of the stick. I will take it for another drive tomorrow & recheck it.

Don't expect to see accurate fluid levels until you get the transmission to at least 206F. This is not easy to validate without some way to read the temps. Just driving around town will not reach those temps. You'll see 190F - 195F or so... and your temps will read a block lower 5-6 instead of 4-5.

 

[Msfitoy]

I pulled an old Android tablet of a box over the weekend just so I could load Torque. The iPhone requires a Bluetooth 4.0 OBD reader but what I have is an OBDlink LX device from several years ago. I got all that working but curious to know what software/app you're using. Torque (free version) doesn't have a transmissions temp guage.

I use OBD Fusion for IOS so I'm not sure how this would relate to your Android question...in my particular app, there's options for purchasing Ford specific PIDs which I did and this extension has more Ford Ranger sensor access like cylinder head temp, oil pressure, transmission gear position (for when I'm in S mode) and transmission temperature....

 

[FusedLogic]

I use OBD Fusion for IOS so I'm not sure how this would relate to your Android question...in my particular app, there's options for purchasing Ford specific PIDs which I did and this extension has more Ford Ranger sensor access like cylinder head temp, oil pressure, transmission gear position (for when I'm in S mode) and transmission temperature....

You actually answered my question, thanks! My issue is the adapter that plugs into the OBD2 port. This is what I'm using:

​

​

This device doesn't support Bluetooth v4 which my iPhone insists on and it can't connect. My old Android tablet connect just fine.

I downloaded OBD Fusion and will research the PIDs.

 

[Fitzmotor]

I may do the same thing. I've glued a lot of nuts to my finger with 3M weather strip glue to get them started in tight places in my wrenching years.

It's a tight spot, I have used double sided machinist tape to keep the nut there, that's why I sent both, U nut is easier and the Nylock is better, but for this application the U nut is fine, just not in high salt areas.

Sponsored