Inexpensive Scanner for Trans Temp?

Does anybody know any inexpensive stand-alone scanners (I don't want to use my phone with a dongle) that will read real-time transmission temperature data?

 

I think either the "Scan Gauge" or "Ultra Gauge" can show transmission temperature. They have their own screens. I don't have either one, but they seem like nice products.

 

I'm a fan of Ultragauge. The MX version in relatively inexpensive and can come pre-configured for transmission temp.

 

I did read a few threads about "Scan Gauge" and it does look nice, but I was wondering if any of the handheld tablet scanners in the same price range also work?

 

Hopefully more people can chime in. I have no experience with any of them. I thought the Scan Gauge was the type of product you were looking for.

 

I have the ultra scan gauge in my Tundra
http://www.ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/

 

I decided on the Foxwell NT614 Elite. I emailed them a few technical questions and they answered right away. I'll post my thoughts once I use it a few times. Total was $165 after the $25 coupon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085TG89H4?ie=UTF8

 

I had a scan gauge in my Subaru Outback a few years ago and I can say they are very useful. Had to put one in to monitor engine temp, as for whatever reason it didn’t have a engine temp gauge built in. Anyway, you can program them to display just about any info you could ask for. Hp, trans temp, engine temp etc all in real time (I have no idea what info is available for 4Runners). And “programming” is very simple. You just enter in different codes found on their website based on the info you want displayed. Would highly recommend looking into it. I think I got mine for around $150 2 years ago.

 

I have the Scangauge II and it reads trans temps with the X-gauge feature, which you program in in about 3 minutes. Great little tool for about $150 on Amazon, just have to figure out how to mount it. It allows 4 gauges at a time, but they can be changed on-the-fly.

 

I too love scanguage.

 

The Foxwell scanner has been pretty intuitive to use. It's a bit slow when pulling the set-up data from the car, but once you build out the menu of items to live data monitor it works really well. I like the ability to graph data points in real-time. There are a lot of data points to choose from including some interesting things like starter cycles. My 4Runner had zero codes and really good short-term fuel trim with almost no adjustments.

As for monitoring some of the fluid temperature's. I picked coolant, engine oil, trans temp 1 & trans temp 2 (I didn't know we have two transmission fluid temperature sensors). I did about 30 mins of local in town stop and go driving with the A/C on Max and the truck in 4WD hi, out side temp was 88 degrees -- I was trying to put a little stress on the system.

Here are the results:

 

Do you plan to mount it somewhere, or would it only be used occasionally? The ability to store and graph data is a nice feature.

 

I am going to only use it occasionally like when towing or going off-road. The OBD2 cable connects to the top of the scanner and is pretty thick making this unit not ideal for permanent mounting. I will probably get a temporary mounting system - maybe something from RAM. The graphing and ability to save data is a nice plus. You can move and/or print the saved data from your PC/Laptop. For ~$165, it's a pretty good diagnostic scanner. Maybe some day I'll spring for a full bi-directional scanner....

 

Scan Gauge mounted on some angled metal fixed in the lower cubby hole.

 

I really want to like the scangauge but it looks terrible IMHO. Just not a fan of something like that where a little updating to the display could make a world of difference. Every time I revisit the idea and look at it I say NOPE!

 

I can't say I disagree, but the simplicity and size make it ideal (for me). It provides the info I want, and since dash space is already kind of limited, it can be put in a spot where you only need to glance every so often to get the necessary info.

Here's mine (sorry for garage pic), but it's ideal for my purposes (center left in photo).

 

They made a touch screen SG3 now.

 

I know you said you don’t want to use your phone but it’s a good looking display. I use an OBDII dongle and an iPhone app to monitor sensor temperatures. Not all the time but as needed, it runs in the background. Phone is in a holder above the radio. Just flip to that screen when you want to take a look.


Read about it here, start at post 66:
https://www.4runners.com/threads/transmission-fluid-change.21290/page-3#post-330167

 

It goes with my pixelated display in the gauge cluster.

 

Decided on using a drink cup tablet holder:



Graph of calculated engine load:

 

I use the torque app with dongle and display it on my phone. Really only going to use it for fluid change..
Digital is nice, quick. But, has anyone ever thought of going old school and plumbing in a actual gauge? Old round temp plumbed into a source of transmission fluid?

 

Hello There Josephp732
Im a new member and i noticed you had a Foxwell scanner with the automatic transmission temperature readings displayed.Does this scanner come with this ability from the factory or are there more steps to complete to get the transmission temps to display? I have a 2022 toyta 4 runner Off Road Premium. Also, what Year 4runner do you have? And Which model is the Scanner your using.
TIA

 

b

Welcome to the forum! I have a 2021 TRD ORP. The scanner can measure both transmission temp sensors out of the box. Here is the newest version of the scanner that I have: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085TG89H4?ie=UTF8

 

Thank you much appreciated, look forward to more content as soon as I get more familiar with the rules

 

I didn't want to start a new thread, I'm looking for any good updates for scanners, apps, or dongles to monitor trans temps that may have come to market in the last couple years. I'm going to start towing and want to monitor temp to see if I may need a trans cooler. I did see where the laser gun thermometers were pretty close to actual readings!

 

I ended up buying a ScanGauge II personally a month ish ago with a 25% discount code on Advance Auto that was right on the website. they have a 20% off $100+ now that likely applies.

I had a $30 Veepeak OBDII dongle before in my pre-4Runner days that hooked up to a cheap phone + CarScanner and it died after a year or two so I swore off cheaper ones like that.

 

+1 for ScanGauge III
I've used it since they released version III in the fall of 2022, great little unit.

 

OTOH I am a sucker for those old school dot matrix displays.

 

So I have a question. I also have a scan gauge 2, and my brother in law is a mechanic at a Honda dealership. He says having something plugged into the obd2 port and driving around normal could cause potential issues. That’s kind of why I’m reluctant to hook up my scanguage and keep it plugged in.

Is there any truth to this? I suppose if you’re just monitoring temperatures that’s fine, but reading and “clearing” codes while driving is a big no no.

 

There’s a +12V pin on that port that’s always powered on, so it could be a “parasitic” drain on your battery. It may be a concern if you don’t drive around much to keep the battery charged up. Maybe that’s what he’s referring to.