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Inexpensive Scanner for Trans Temp?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by josephp732, Jun 21, 2022.

  1. Jun 21, 2022 at 6:30 PM
    #1
    josephp732

    josephp732 [OP] New Member

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    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?
     
  2. Jun 21, 2022 at 6:35 PM
    #2
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    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.
     
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  3. Jun 21, 2022 at 6:48 PM
    #3
    wsu_runner

    wsu_runner Just lurking...

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    I'm a fan of Ultragauge. The MX version in relatively inexpensive and can come pre-configured for transmission temp.
     
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  4. Jun 21, 2022 at 6:51 PM
    #4
    josephp732

    josephp732 [OP] New Member

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    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?
     
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  5. Jun 21, 2022 at 7:09 PM
    #5
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    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.
     
  6. Jun 21, 2022 at 8:39 PM
    #6
    rottielvr

    rottielvr New Member

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  7. Jun 22, 2022 at 2:55 AM
    #7
    josephp732

    josephp732 [OP] New Member

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  8. Jun 24, 2022 at 5:27 PM
    #8
    BigDgak

    BigDgak New Member

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    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.
     
    josephp732[OP] likes this.
  9. Jun 24, 2022 at 7:15 PM
    #9
    ecoterragaia

    ecoterragaia New Member

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    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.
     
  10. Jun 25, 2022 at 12:23 PM
    #10
    kmeeg

    kmeeg LionRunner

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  11. Jun 26, 2022 at 2:43 PM
    #11
    josephp732

    josephp732 [OP] New Member

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    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:

    20220626_162813.jpg
    VideoCapture_20220626-164211.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2022
  12. Jun 27, 2022 at 4:36 AM
    #12
    ecoterragaia

    ecoterragaia New Member

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    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.
     
  13. Jun 27, 2022 at 4:47 AM
    #13
    josephp732

    josephp732 [OP] New Member

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    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....
     
    Last edited: Jun 27, 2022
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  14. Jun 28, 2022 at 2:05 AM
    #14
    Matt83

    Matt83 New Member

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

    UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_7cc4.jpg
     
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  15. Jun 28, 2022 at 6:22 AM
    #15
    Brandonium

    Brandonium New Member

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    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!
     
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  16. Jun 28, 2022 at 2:48 PM
    #16
    ecoterragaia

    ecoterragaia New Member

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    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).

    IMG_20220628_173958.jpg
     
  17. Jun 28, 2022 at 3:02 PM
    #17
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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    They made a touch screen SG3 now.[​IMG]
     
  18. Jun 28, 2022 at 3:06 PM
    #18
    ElectroBoy

    ElectroBoy Ad astra

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    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.
    65091A63-8233-44AB-A67A-DB0412795C90.jpg

    Read about it here, start at post 66:
    https://www.4runners.com/threads/transmission-fluid-change.21290/page-3#post-330167
     
    josephp732[OP] likes this.
  19. Jun 28, 2022 at 3:49 PM
    #19
    Matt83

    Matt83 New Member

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    It goes with my pixelated display in the gauge cluster.
     
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  20. Jul 1, 2022 at 3:48 AM
    #20
    josephp732

    josephp732 [OP] New Member

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    Decided on using a drink cup tablet holder:

    20220701_063830.jpg

    Graph of calculated engine load:

    20220630_185055.jpg
     
  21. Jul 1, 2022 at 4:30 AM
    #21
    Steve40th

    Steve40th New Member

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    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?
     
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  22. Mar 10, 2024 at 3:06 PM
    #22
    Hondo 16729

    Hondo 16729 New Member

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    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
     
  23. Mar 10, 2024 at 4:14 PM
    #23
    josephp732

    josephp732 [OP] New Member

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    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
     
  24. Mar 10, 2024 at 4:26 PM
    #24
    Hondo 16729

    Hondo 16729 New Member

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

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