Project VXOverLand

[Malibu_Robert]

What do you use to measure the temperature when you check the transmission fluid level? I want to check mine but don't have a scan tool. I'm not sure what kind of a scan tool it would take...

[Thelgord]

What do you use to measure the temperature when you check the transmission fluid level? I want to check mine but don't have a scan tool. I'm not sure what kind of a scan tool it would take...

I have a Harbor Freight scan tool. I need to get the higher end one so I can read abs codes, but this works for now.

[Malibu_Robert]

What do you use to measure the temperature when you check the transmission fluid level? I want to check mine but don't have a scan tool. I'm not sure what kind of a scan tool it would take...

I have a Harbor Freight scan tool. I need to get the higher end one so I can read abs codes, but this works for now.

I've looked at user manuals for the following tools from Harbor Freight:

Cen-Tech Deluxe OBDII Scan Tool (Item 62119) $49.97
Zurich ZR4 OBD2 Code Reader (Item 63808) $44.99
Zurich ZR8 OBD2 Code Reader with Live Data (Item 63809) $84.99
Zurich ZR11 OBD2 Code Reader with ABS (Item 63807) $139.99
Zurich ZR13 OBD2 Code Reader with ABS/SRS/FixAssist® (Item 63806) $189.99

None of them appear to have a PIDs for transmission fluid temperature. Which one do you have?

[Thelgord]

What do you use to measure the temperature when you check the transmission fluid level? I want to check mine but don't have a scan tool. I'm not sure what kind of a scan tool it would take...

I have a Harbor Freight scan tool. I need to get the higher end one so I can read abs codes, but this works for now.

I've looked at user manuals for the following tools from Harbor Freight:

Cen-Tech Deluxe OBDII Scan Tool (Item 62119) $49.97
Zurich ZR4 OBD2 Code Reader (Item 63808) $44.99
Zurich ZR8 OBD2 Code Reader with Live Data (Item 63809) $84.99
Zurich ZR11 OBD2 Code Reader with ABS (Item 63807) $139.99
Zurich ZR13 OBD2 Code Reader with ABS/SRS/FixAssist® (Item 63806) $189.99

None of them appear to have a PIDs for transmission fluid temperature. Which one do you have?

I have no idea what I was thinking when I posted that. Sorry. I must have either been really tired, or completely brain farted the entire thing. My scan tool does not read transmission temperature. To correct what I was saying, I don’t have a way to check the temperature at the moment. I usually just take it for a 10-15 minute drive then park it while running. Not exactly a scientific method, but it what I have at the moment. I have heard there is way to use one of those touchless laser thermometers to do it, but I havn’t tried that.

[Malibu_Robert]

What do you use to measure the temperature when you check the transmission fluid level? I want to check mine but don't have a scan tool. I'm not sure what kind of a scan tool it would take...

I have a Harbor Freight scan tool. I need to get the higher end one so I can read abs codes, but this works for now.

I've looked at user manuals for the following tools from Harbor Freight:

Cen-Tech Deluxe OBDII Scan Tool (Item 62119) $49.97
Zurich ZR4 OBD2 Code Reader (Item 63808) $44.99
Zurich ZR8 OBD2 Code Reader with Live Data (Item 63809) $84.99
Zurich ZR11 OBD2 Code Reader with ABS (Item 63807) $139.99
Zurich ZR13 OBD2 Code Reader with ABS/SRS/FixAssist® (Item 63806) $189.99

None of them appear to have a PIDs for transmission fluid temperature. Which one do you have?

I have no idea what I was thinking when I posted that. Sorry. I must have either been really tired, or completely brain farted the entire thing. My scan tool does not read transmission temperature. To correct what I was saying, I don’t have a way to check the temperature at the moment. I usually just take it for a 10-15 minute drive then park it while running. Not exactly a scientific method, but it what I have at the moment. I have heard there is way to use one of those touchless laser thermometers to do it, but I havn’t tried that.

Thanks Chris. No worries. I'm the one who posted the question to the Facebook group. Seems like everyone just estimates the temperature. I haven't found anyone who pulled the info with a scan tool. On Planetisuzoo someone managed to get it to work on a Trooper by configuring x-gauges on the Scangauge tool. But it didn't work for them on the VX. Later on, I think I will try to do what Willy Lin suggested, add a T to the cooler line and put a sensor there.

[Thelgord]

Update on my transmission ... woes continue ...

So I swapped out the fuel filter and took it for a test drive. It ran sooooo smooth and perfect. No hard shifting. No slipping. It was honestly the best ride I have had yet. That last right up until I tried to pull into my driveway, slight shutter, very slight, but noticeable. I took it back out again.

This time, instead of a “shutter”, it was like a dragging clutch. All RPM and no power, then it grabbed, but not all at once. More like letting out a clutch pedal. I took the VX down the highway a few miles to the local high-school parking lot. Same thing all the way. It would slip in any gear if I gave it enough gas. On the return trip I was worried I wouldn’t make it home. But I did. If this was a manual I would say it felt like I was riding with my foot resting on the clutch pedal. There was also a groaning noise from the VX while in gear. Due to wind I could only hear it at very slow speeds (like less than 10mph). It doesn’t help that wear hearing aids.

On the plus side, the fuel filter did seam to fix my hard shifting issues, and I don’t need a fuel pump. On the downside, I am ready to burn this thing down. LOL!

I am wondering if I checking the fluid levels while it is still too cold, even after a 15 minute drive? I really need a way to check this.

[Thelgord]

Update on transmission issues!

So as it turns out, my transmission may actually be fine. After months of extensive work, and over $500 in parts, it may not actually be the transmission. As it turns out our transmission can have the same symptoms from fuel pressure being out of spec. I have ordered a fuel pressure test kit. If the pressure is too high, it is the pressure regulator. Which would suck as I have already changed it once. If it is too low then there is a feed problem. Could be a line blockage, bad fuel filter, clogged fuel pump strainer, or a bad fuel pump.

With the symptoms in the transmission I am guessing it is a low pressure problem, but that is a guess, which is why I ordered the test kit (only $25 on amazon). It should be here tomorrow and the test should only take a few minutes.

After the amount of work I have done to this thing, I was both glad and pissed that I found this information from both Isuzu and BMW mechanics on FB. I may have been chasing a ghost for 8 months. Hopefully this test will tell me where to go to excise this gremlin.