97 Lumina TEST Port

[DFickel]

Im wanting to install a tranny temp gauge and glowshift keeps telling me to put the sensor in the test port, but I have no idea where that is on our FWD. Anyone got any suggestions?

[86FieroSEv6]

If you know the model of transmission, you might be able to find an image that labels the pressure test port on a transmission oriented site.

[DFickel]

i believe i just have the same stock 4t60e like everyone else, what are the names of these sites if you know?

[gpse3400]

If you are looking for the line pressure port, there is a plug on the top side of the transmission. You can remove that and put your probe in there....another place you can mount the probe is in the pan.

[DFickel]

ya i didn't want to drill a hole in the pan if i dont have to, where is this plug at and do u have a picture or a diagram to show where its at?

[Azrael]

When looking down in the engine bay it'll be on the right side under the exhaust cross-over on the very top of the transmission right next to the seam for the side cover. There's usually also a hose or pipe for venting right next to it. It also has a hex head so it's easily mistaken for a bolt but it's really a 1/8" NPT plug. The downside to mounting here is that it takes a longer for fluid temp changes to register and can measure a few degrees cooler than the fluid actually is. There's ~10F difference between my autometer gauge in this spot and the pcm's temp probe near the valvebody.

Another option for faster/accurate readings is to find or make a tee fitting and splice it into the trans fluid cooler line. The downside is that it's adds potential leak points.

[DFickel]

hmmm i went out and looked and i couldn't seem to find it, is it under the intake or the brake fluid chamber or somethin? and if its that small of a difference it seems like it would be a decent place to put the sensor in. im sure ill have to get an adaptor to go from 1/8 to the sensor but that will be ok, did you seal it with anythin?

[DFickel]

and correct me if im wrong, but could u use any temp gauge for this such as a water temp gauge? i know the viscosity is different but if the sensor is something like a thermocoupler it should still work right?

[Azrael]

You can use a water temp gauge. They all work the same but labelled differently for those watching many sources.

[DFickel]

awesome, any word on this port you speak of? im goin out to check again tonight after work, is it directly under the air intake?

[Azrael]

My autometer trans temp sensor is the only brass part you can see in this photo. It's under the intake tubing, just follow the side of the exhaust heatshield straight down.

[DFickel]

ok i think i may have found it, this seems to be in the same spot as yours, there is more of course on top of it since its newer but I think I will try to crack that open if you think this is it. what size was your sensor and what adaptor did you use. I wasn't sure if using pipe tape would be safe but you seem to be doing fine with it.

[Azrael]

That bolt head near the middle looks right. My sensor is 1/8" NPT, the same as the hole so no adapter was needed.

[DFickel]

nice, ya im gettin Nitrous Gauges, my buddy has those and says they work pretty good, i guess they sell this brand at harbor freight. i took out that bolt today and sure enough u were right, just a plug, just some threads then little bit more of just metal tit stickin down. KUDOS to you big time, u saved me a lot of headache, thanks man. how much are these autometer gauges u have?

[Azrael]

Their full-sweep temp gauges are about $150 at summitracing.com. About half that for the short-sweep version.