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Transmission Temperature Gauge

R

rob_

GUEST
Do someone know if its possible to built in a transmission temp.gauge in the standard gaugecluster, without replacing it all?
Is it wired allready?
Can I buy a seperate temp.gauge that fits?

Newbie, rob_ ???
 
Nope - it's all one unit so you'll have to replace the cluster. You can get the Denali cluster for under $190 from our sponsors, you can get the 2500 cluster for under $160. The change out is childs play - although you do need to swap out the odometer and get a certificate to make it all legal. You can find a lot of information on this topic. Personally I love my Denali cluster and having the gauge, useful info. BTW - my pricing and recommendations are based on '02 Avs...
 
So . . . someone at Chevy decides to differentiate the two trucks by omitting the tranny temp gauge on the 1500 . . . WHY? ?I doubt it's presence or absence has swayed many sales . . . I know . . it provides Chevy with a source of aftermarket parts sales . . you know, folks like us that now have a Denali or Escalade cluster! ? ;D

Chief said it all . . though I never bothered with the odometer cal . . just recorded the difference in my log if I ever need it . . current odo reading is 3233 miles less than vehicle actual!

 
Now with the above stated that you can by a new cluster with the Tranny temp gage in it and it works once installed.....


Then maybe if youhave the electrical diagrams and were pretty good with a multi meter you may be able to figure out which wires to use and what signal the computer is sending to activate the tranny temp gage....

But with that said I think it would be easier to replace the cluster...

 
ygmn said:
Now with the above stated that you can by a new cluster with the Tranny temp gage in it and it works once installed.....


Then maybe if youhave the electrical diagrams and were pretty good with a multi meter you may be able to figure out which wires to use and what signal the computer is sending to activate the tranny temp gage....
I'll have to check the service manual again. But last time I looked at the gauge wiring, the connector doesn't have nearly enough wires for there to be a dedicated circuit to each gauge and indicator. I'm sure you won't find a wire going to the cluster that is just the trans temp gauge signal. I believe that there are some smarts in the cluster, and there is a serial communications path between the cluster and the PCM. The information needed to update the message center, gauges and indicator lights is sent from the PCM to the cluster, which then decodes it and drives the individual gauges and indicators. At least, that's what I remember reading.

Now, that being said, it's possible that it is the same decoder/driving circuit board in both clusters, and maybe the traces with the decoded gauge information is there in the cluster. It may be possible to tap into, but it's also quite likely you'll make something smoke while trying.

  • Interesting piece of engineering trivia: Did you know that the inner workings of all electronics is based on smoke and mirrors? Yep, it's the smoke inside that makes things work. When you do something wrong and let the smoke out, that's when it stops working! >:D
While the shop manuals detail all of the wires going to/from the gauge cluster, it treats the cluster as a non-servicable unit. The book says if it's broken, replace it. Therefore there is no information on the internals of the unit, other than replacing the light bulbs.

But with that said I think it would be easier to replace the cluster...
Yeah, I'd have to agree with you. (Twice in one day! ;) )

-- SS
 
I guess it is a SAE CANbus design...where the info is sent out on the bus and the appropriate device reads this info and then displays it.....

I know all the big diesel engine manufactures use this...CAT, Cummins, DDEC, etc etc...

 
It's designed into the circuit board. Adding a tranny temp gauge isn't just plugging in the new gauge components. It's much easier to just upgrade the whole cluster. Plus you get a better looking cluster.
Oh, good luck finding the needed parts if you just want to upgrade your stock cluster. Those parts aren't that easy to find.
 
120 MPH speedo works perfectly . . . though the speed limiter is set at 100 MPH. That too can be eliminated with the HPP3 programmer, and then you are at the mercy of your underrated tires and common sense . . .

My Denali won't likely see much activity above 100 MPH!
 
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