Has anyone out there besides me noticed that the 2100 has an adjustable tranny temperature alert, but is not capable of showing the transmission temperature in real time . If anyone knows a reason why the sensors or Edge isn't capable of doing this, please explain. I might just have to wait for the livewire xcal2 to be released.

 

The PCM in the 97-03 F150 does not monitor and hence does not report that data to the EDGE Evo. It is not EDGE's fault, it is just the way Ford made the truck.

 

"The PCM in the 97-03 F150 does not monitor and hence does not report that data to the EDGE Evo."

The PCM has to record some kind of transmission temperature info, otherwise how could there be an adjustable alert for the transmission temperature?

 

Actually what I was told is that getting the trans temp screwed something else up and it was dropped. That came from a tech at Edge. This was when I ask about why their ads said it would do the trans temp and even the web site still says it does. But on the 97-03 trucks that function is not there. The manual even says there is 14 mids, but there is like 11 I believe. I may be wrong on the numbers, but the manual is wrong as is the web site.

 

My 2100 does not have that monitor.
There is a transmission temperature sensor in all 4r70s that the PCM uses to control some functions as well as set code for over temp conditions.
It's not that there is none, they just didnot get it into the program for what ever reason they had.
I do some serious towing and use my own external temp gauge for full time monitoring.
The more important monitoring functions take some time to get an understanding of and then they are useful for getting better fuel mileage. Until you begin to know what numbers are the most important and how to keep them the most optimized with throttle position as you drive, they are just changing number with a label.
There is nothing written about any of this that I have seen anywhere.
Also the 1 minute recordings of PIDS are usefull in some trouble shooting attempts depending on what the trouble is and if it can be caught during a recording session.
TFT is a minor thing when everybody else has nothing at all to see until a code to that effect, is generated.

 

Bluegrass,

How did you mount and wire your external temp guage? I also have the 4R70 light duty trans., and i would like to be able to tow our 8000 travel trailer top the beach with my truck, i have modded the suspension, intake and exhaust, but i worried about the trans as the weak link. That's why i was initially interested in the edge. could you respond with how you wired your temp gauge and show me some pics please on its in cab installation. did you tap into the ford sensor, and do you know if edge said they were working on a solution to this?

 

I have quite a bit of advice to offer about towing.
What is your total gross combined weight, fully loaded?
The temp gauge is an electric unit and gauge.
The sensor is insalled in a Tee block just off the trans in the cooler line to the radiator (not the return line). At this monitor point you see the max temp the trans generates when the converter is unlocked and shearing the fluid the most under towing loads. The temps you see are dependent on the loading and will be quite a bit higher than you might at first feel comfortable seeing but they cannot be avoided no matter how much aux cooling you add.
The temp gauge is a single wire from the sensor thru the firewall to the gauge.
The gauge requires a 12 volt source from ignition or key on and a 12 volt nite light source from the dash circuit.
I done a special "add-a-tap" on to the panel fuse locations that have the switched power I needed without upsetting any normal fuse functions to those circuits or dong any wire in alterations. The temp sender is grounded to complete the circuit to the gauge.
As far as the transmission, towing at max GCW or more will put the trans at risk for trouble so you have to accept whatever happens in eventuality as part of life so to speak like anything else in life.
Some things that can happen for example is converter balloning, front torrington bearing loss, clutch discs and band loss, solenoid malfunctions, fluid change much more often, converter lockup failure etc.
I have a custom build on my 4r70w after some of these failures because rebuilding as stock OEM would be the same result again later on.
Let's stop here and see what you have.

 

Thanks for the help and the instructions on wiring the gauge. I think i will continue to purchase the edge and add the TFT guage on the dash. I haven't done much towing and I'm not exactly sure on how to read the GVWR and GVCWR sticker, so i'm not sure how much that is , but the trailer fully loaded with full water and sewage tanks is about 8500 lbs and when the trucks is loaded with boards and people there is an extra 1100 lbs. with 5 people and boards. My truck is an extended cab, but i have installed a four bar air susp. in the back instead of the leaf springs. would adding an aftermarket torque convertor help reduce the risk of lock-up failure, any more advice would be greatly appreciated. Oh yeah, have a happy thanksgiving too:santa:

 

Happy Thanksgiving to you and the family also.
I hate to do this to you but you are going to be grossly over the limits of an F150 with the loads you have indicated.
This is how it works out.
The truck should have a gross combined towing weight of about 12,000 lbs max. +/- the differences the engine size and rear gear makes, the tire capacity and derating if they are P radials.
Here is what I get from your weight values.
Trailer weight of 8500 lbs.
Truck about 5500 lbs +/-.
Passenger total weight est at about 500 lbs +/-.
Box gear a guess at 300 lbs +/-.
Full tank of fuel at about 170 lbs for 25 gallons.
This adds up to a gross of nearly 15,000 lbs.
Bottom line is no matter how far off I am with estimates, donnot attempt to pull that much with an F150 where your max gross is no more about than 12,000 lbs.
You need an F350 at least with a 5.4, V10 or a diesel.
This size truck gets you suspension, tires, swept brake area,larger transmission, gearing and enough power to do the pulling in a reasonable manner with reasonable reliabilty and safety with the family aboard..
I would have hoped the dealer, if you purchused from, would have known better when he ask what you are going to pull with.
Please reconsider all the weight parameter in an honest accurate manner.
I surely hope I misunderstood somewhere and this is not the case.
Go to the Motorcraft website and look up the charts on the capacities of the year and equippage your truck has as a starting point to understand better what your needs are when looking at what other larger model will fit the application..
Good luck.

 

Thanks for the advice, Bluegrass i hope you had a happy thanksgiving, and the dealer didn't screw me, i bought the truck to be reliable and haul me buddies and junk whereever i need to go. Our family has a primary vehicle to tow the trailer, but i do plan to do some moderate towing in the future. once, again thanks for the suggestions about using the monitor's engine load, and fuel economysensors to increase fuel economy, i'm sure i will enjoy the edge

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year:santa: