Trans not getting up to temp?

[Murrk847]

First sub 30 degree day. Noticed that after almost an hour of driving my trans temp gauge (STX so its not exact temp) never got to its normal position. Usually its basically pointed 6 oclock but it didnt even get halfway to that. Is that normal?

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[CrimsonKnight]

Same here, I was wondering the same. My first F150. Heck my first truck.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

For years temp gauges have been little more than fancy idiot lights providing very little meaningful much less accurate data to the driver. The only way to be certain of the fluid temp would be to monitor them directly through the use of third party diagnostic tools. Something like the OBDLink MX+ or similar and associated app. I noticed similar behavior with mine in winter and when I checked the actual trans temp it was only about 10-12 degrees cooler than summer.

 

[Buyer2021]

The only way to be certain of the fluid temp would be to monitor them directly through the use of third party diagnostic tools.

Or, if your F150 has the capability, use FORScan to enable IPC digital display of the same actual tranny fluid temp sensor data that an external diagnostic tool would display. My Lariat 500A supports that FORScan mod, not sure about STX or XLT trims.

I agree, both to the cold-side and the hot-side, the needle gives no meaningful indication of actual tranny temp (though I doubt the OP has any issue to be concerned about).

The same can be said about engine coolant temp, which actual data can also be displayed with an OBD reader (or FORScan mod on some trims).

 

[Mosey]

Could it possibly be the radiator shutters stuck open?

 

[HammaMan]

Could it possibly be the radiator shutters stuck open?

No, the trans cooler while cooled from the coolant, has a valve that controls both heating and cooling. It may simply be the range of the calibration of the gauge. On a 90 degree day my trans gauge is already showing heat so it doesn't start at a low temp to begin with -- it's a range.

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