Been thinking of getting one of these because they are compact and sit on top of your dashboard. Only want it to monitor my auto transmission temperatures. I've read that they are compatible with my Volvo XC90. But is it hard and complicated to program it to the car? I've heard that it is a bit tricky?
Cheers Wazza
erad said
08:25 AM Apr 21, 2022
I have a Pajero and have a Scangauge 2. I have a manual transmission but the Scangauge can be programmed to monitor the auto transmission fluid temperature (that is not part of the standard display option menu). I suggest that you contact the Aust distributor of the Scangauge and ask them, because the coding for a Mitsubishi would almost certainly differ from that for the Volvo.
Have you considered getting an Ultragauge? They can monitor up to 8 parameters (Scangauge only does 4), but more importantly they have an audio alarm function which the Scangauge lacks.
Whenarewethere said
08:26 AM Apr 21, 2022
My Land Rover is half Ford & other half Volvo assembled by Land Rover administration. It will work as is.
Bulldozer said
08:33 AM Apr 21, 2022
Yeah, my 2010 Volvo is what they call the Japanese Volvo, a Yamaha 4.4 ltr V8 motor and a Aisin 6 speed auto, which is all very Toyota ish.
Whenarewethere said
08:49 AM Apr 21, 2022
My Land Rover has the Ford 2.0L Ecoboost petrol engine with the Aisin 6 speed auto. Brilliant bit of kit moving 1.8 tonnes (1.885 tonnes with my accessories) 0 to 100kph in 8.0seconds. I don't understand why Ford never put this setup in the last of the Falcons. I love taking off at the lights when required!
I have pulled my car apart, if it doesn't have Ford stamped on the component it is Volvo.
I have only every seen a Toyota piece of rubbish in the dust.
bratboy said
08:51 AM Apr 21, 2022
Yes you will need to program auto trans code or xguage codes as scanguage calls them . they can be frustrating when you first try to put them in but not hard . a bit like the wife , annoying but worth the effort .
Bulldozer said
09:08 AM Apr 21, 2022
bratboy wrote:
Yes you will need to program auto trans code or xguage codes as scanguage calls them . they can be frustrating when you first try to put them in but not hard . a bit like the wife , annoying but worth the effort .
Yeah, thats what I heard. If I buy one I don't want to stuff anything up whilst trying to program it............Cant program my wife after 45 years!! she has programmed me.
bratboy said
09:38 AM Apr 21, 2022
bulldozer you really cant stuff anything up , well let me rephrase that , IF you stuff anything up it will only be in the guage you are trying to program so you just go back to the start and redo it . alternatively find a 5 year old child they will sort it for you . If you contact scanguage australia you may be able to arrange for them to pre-program the guages you require i believe they are quite helpful .
Are We Lost said
10:18 AM Apr 21, 2022
Look at the Scangauge website and it will list the defaults that it can display. I note it does not list auto fluid temperature as a built in gauge. The customisable ones are called X-Gauge. What is available for your vehicle are listed there as well. I note there are none listed for Volvo. Maybe they will have advice if you contact them.
If what you want to monitor is not listed, it's possible a Volvo forum may have some.
The website has instructions on programming, and a video. The reason you may have heard that programming is difficult is because you have to enter 4 different parameters of up to 12 characters, cycling through the alphabet using one button on the device. A bit like entering a password using your TV remote. Tedious but not difficult. Once the X-Gauge is saved, it is available to be displayed just like the built in gauges. Easy to select what you want to display.
Rob Driver said
11:51 AM Apr 21, 2022
If it helps you Bulldozer, I programmed the extra gauges in my Scanguage 2 in my Toyota and I hold no qualifications at all with that instrument.
Bulldozer said
12:35 PM Apr 21, 2022
Thanks guys, I appreciate your advice, I have a data scanner but its the size of a dinner plate, a bit awkward whilst you are driving. I'll ring up scangauge.
Bulldozer said
02:21 PM Apr 21, 2022
I just emailed Scangauge, they got back to me within a few minutes. They said that my Volvo would work with scan gauge but auto trans function would not work because there is no x-guage available for Volvo at the moment....Any ways I'll just keep using my dinner plate size data scanner. I can leave it on the back seat and get my wife to turn around and look at it every now and then.
StreetsAhead said
05:56 PM Apr 21, 2022
I also wanted to monitor my Transmission temps, but did not want to spend a lot of money on something that may or may not work.
I had heard of people having success with a cheap OBD2 scanner that works vis Bluetooth to a phone. So $40 later and using an old phone, I know have a display of my Transmission and Engine temps and Alternator output. I can choose out of many types of output to display on the phone (depends on how many sensors your vehicle has). I can show it as a graph or gauge, and it even produces a daily report.
I have even set it to alarm at pre-set temps so I get an audible warning.
This is working well for me.
Phone is attached to dashboard via a magnetic phone holder, so you can position wherever you want.
Photo of my phone and just the 3 outputs I wanted to display. Transmission temp at the top, then engine temp and finally alternator output. I had switched the engine off before taking the photo hence low alternator display. But alternator output varies quite a bit 30-60 amps. Quite fascinating to watch all the changes on temps etc as driving. But with a modern vehicle with lane keeping sensors, adaptive cruise control, automatic lights and wipers, plus radio and phone controls all controlled from a series of switches on the steering wheel, and all the beeps and lights that go with it, now with these extra gauges. Its like sitting in an airline ****pit and too easy to look at them and not the road!
-- Edited by StreetsAhead on Thursday 21st of April 2022 06:12:31 PM
-- Edited by StreetsAhead on Thursday 21st of April 2022 06:12:57 PM
I also wanted to monitor my Transmission temps, but did not want to spend a lot of money on something that may or may not work.
I had heard of people having success with a cheap OBD2 scanner that works vis Bluetooth to a phone. So $40 later and using an old phone, I know have a display of my Transmission and Engine temps and Alternator output. I can choose out of many types of output to display on the phone (depends on how many sensors your vehicle has). I can show it as a graph or gauge, and it even produces a daily report.
I have even set it to alarm at pre-set temps so I get an audible warning.
This is working well for me.
Phone is attached to dashboard via a magnetic phone holder, so you can position wherever you want.
Photo of my phone and just the 3 outputs I wanted to display. Transmission temp at the top, then engine temp and finally alternator output. I had switched the engine off before taking the photo hence low alternator display. But alternator output varies quite a bit 30-60 amps. Quite fascinating to watch all the changes on temps etc as driving. But with a modern vehicle with lane keeping sensors, adaptive cruise control, automatic lights and wipers, plus radio and phone controls all controlled from a series of switches on the steering wheel, and all the beeps and lights that go with it, now with these extra gauges. Its like sitting in an airline ****pit and too easy to look at them and not the road!
-- Edited by StreetsAhead on Thursday 21st of April 2022 06:12:31 PM
-- Edited by StreetsAhead on Thursday 21st of April 2022 06:12:57 PM
Mike Harding said
07:03 PM Apr 21, 2022
StreetsAhead wrote:
and lights that go with it, now with these extra gauges. Its like sitting in an airline ****pit
I wonder if I can say "airline vaginapit"?
Bulldozer said
07:11 PM Apr 21, 2022
At the end of the day scan gauge said They have no Link to Volvo auto trans gauge.... Thats the way it goes..
Dicko1 said
05:42 PM Apr 22, 2022
Get an Ultragauge. Far better than the scangauge.
Bulldozer said
07:57 AM Apr 23, 2022
Dicko1 wrote:
Get an Ultragauge. Far better than the scangauge.
Thanks for that Dicko, I checked it out and Ultragauge don't do a thingy link (for want of better words) for volvo. What they did say is you buy one and you may get it to work. They were not sure though. I'll just stick to my dinner plate size Maxidas data scanner and sit it on the back seat, my wife can turn around and check the auto and engine temperature every 10 ks or so.All good.
-- Edited by Bulldozer on Saturday 23rd of April 2022 07:58:57 AM
watsea said
10:17 AM Apr 23, 2022
Bulldozer,
Have you investigated an app like TorquePro or something. The apps are pretty cheap, then obtain a dongle for the OBD port and a mobile phone or a tablet to view the engine information.
I use TorquePro. I bought a good quality OBD dongle and run through Bluetooth to a 7inch tablet. My system runs on Android but you can run the apps through to iPhones if you want. Previously, I used an old android phone to view the information but it failed, and then I obtained the tablet.
I have a separate mobile phone but other people are happy to use their mobile phone to view the information.
Though, I have a suspicion that sometimes on some vehicles, the apps interfere with the ECU setup of the vehicle. No problems for my vehicle.
Rob Driver said
10:39 AM Apr 23, 2022
Hi Bulldozer,
This is not what you asked but obviously scanguage and ultraguage are not options so maybe consider this option.
I note they have a selection menu for make and model.
Not plug and play unfortunately but may give you a permanent option.
Good luck
Bulldozer said
12:41 PM Apr 23, 2022
Thanks Ted and rob, I'll look into it. so far nobody wants to know about Volvo. I don't know why. Its a bit difficult sometimes to buy non genuine and second hand parts for these. I just bought a second hand spare wheel, (not used) at least, from Victoria $180 delivered to Sydney. My Volvo don't come with a spare because mine is a V8 and the quad exhaust takes up all the room where the spare normally goes can you believe it? hahaha.
watsea said
12:56 PM Apr 23, 2022
Bulldozer,
An app might work. Here's a link from someone's chat about an app, though the Volvo is not the same model as yours. Good luck. https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=43270
-- Edited by watsea on Saturday 23rd of April 2022 12:57:23 PM
Bulldozer said
01:12 PM Apr 23, 2022
Thanks StreetsAhead, that set up may be the go. Im not very hi tech when it comes to this sort of thing. I have a late model Iphone, so I'll look at it.
Bulldozer said
09:02 AM Apr 26, 2022
Rob Driver wrote:
Hi Bulldozer,
This is not what you asked but obviously scanguage and ultraguage are not options so maybe consider this option.
I note they have a selection menu for make and model.
Not plug and play unfortunately but may give you a permanent option.
Good luck
Just worked out that this is the way I am going to go. seen a you tube video where a guy oversees cut the trans 8mm cooling hose that goes to the radiator cooler and fitted a t piece and sender. I have also just scored a genuine factory transmission cooler that mounts to the front of the car, second hand, so that should help a little in hot weather.
Rob Driver said
09:36 AM Apr 26, 2022
Bulldozer wrote:
Rob Driver wrote:
Hi Bulldozer,
This is not what you asked but obviously scanguage and ultraguage are not options so maybe consider this option.
I note they have a selection menu for make and model.
Not plug and play unfortunately but may give you a permanent option.
Good luck
Just worked out that this is the way I am going to go. seen a you tube video where a guy oversees cut the trans 8mm cooling hose that goes to the radiator cooler and fitted a t piece and sender. I have also just scored a genuine factory transmission cooler that mounts to the front of the car, second hand, so that should help a little in hot weather.
Actually when you think about it this may become the best option for you after all considerations.
Getting a genuine Volvo cooler is *cool* pardon the pun.
Good luck with it.
Jaahn said
11:14 AM Apr 26, 2022
Hi Rob
That idea is good and much used on older vehicles. However most newer cars do not have oil pipes/hoses that go to a radiator cooler, so there are no hose to cut into for a separate cooler. The cooler is mounted in or on the side/top of the transmission and the oil ports are mostly internal.
There may be a way to get an adaptor that will enable the oil flow to be used or not depending on the design. Some research on your particular model transmission is necessary before cutting any pipes.
Jaahn
Bulldozer said
12:24 PM Apr 26, 2022
Thanks to all, for your help! All food for thought, It certainly helped me go in the 'ol school direction. Although my wife (the boss) didnt smile when she heard I was spending more money on the car. Hmmmm, Interesting, she is fine when it comes to spending on the caravan.
Rob Driver said
01:36 PM Apr 26, 2022
Jaahn wrote:
Hi Rob That idea is good and much used on older vehicles. However most newer cars do not have oil pipes/hoses that go to a radiator cooler, so there are no hose to cut into for a separate cooler. The cooler is mounted in or on the side/top of the transmission and the oil ports are mostly internal. There may be a way to get an adaptor that will enable the oil flow to be used or not depending on the design. Some research on your particular model transmission is necessary before cutting any pipes. Jaahn
Hi Jaahn,
It sounds like Bulldozer has it worked out.
I am certainly not familiar with Volvo vehicles so I will leave it to him.
I guess that technically there are other considerations as well.
The point at which the temperature is read is important to ensure that the reading is representing the hottest temp.
Another consideration is that when fitting a transmission cooler the transmission temperature does not run too cold as transmission oil by its design is to work at certain temperatures and cold may cause the oil to denigrate. This would probably only happen when not towing and when operating in cold climates.
I am sure Bulldozer is covering all these discrepancies with Volvo.
Although he did not ask about it, I would be looking at a torque converter lock up kit if this is applicable on his model vehicle. This may be yet another way to keep the oil temp down while towing.
Bulldozer said
03:47 PM Apr 26, 2022
Rob Driver wrote:
Jaahn wrote:
Hi Rob That idea is good and much used on older vehicles. However most newer cars do not have oil pipes/hoses that go to a radiator cooler, so there are no hose to cut into for a separate cooler. The cooler is mounted in or on the side/top of the transmission and the oil ports are mostly internal. There may be a way to get an adaptor that will enable the oil flow to be used or not depending on the design. Some research on your particular model transmission is necessary before cutting any pipes. Jaahn
Hi Jaahn,
It sounds like Bulldozer has it worked out.
I am certainly not familiar with Volvo vehicles so I will leave it to him.
I guess that technically there are other considerations as well.
The point at which the temperature is read is important to ensure that the reading is representing the hottest temp.
Another consideration is that when fitting a transmission cooler the transmission temperature does not run too cold as transmission oil by its design is to work at certain temperatures and cold may cause the oil to denigrate. This would probably only happen when not towing and when operating in cold climates.
I am sure Bulldozer is covering all these discrepancies with Volvo.
Although he did not ask about it, I would be looking at a torque converter lock up kit if this is applicable on his model vehicle. This may be yet another way to keep the oil temp down while towing.
Funny you say Rob about the torque lock up, Ive just had a reconditioned torque converter fitted, at an all up cost of $2600. It was shuddering going into lock up. Unfortunately I didn't pick up the shudder when I tested it to buy 10 months ago. It does have an Aisin 6 speed in it. It goes into lock up at 1500 rpm in all gears except first. I do tow on the open road in forth gear, it has very tall gearing and with this Yamaha V8 it has bucket loads of power Its a real delight to drive towing the caravan total weight of the two is about 4600kg. As far as the oil lines go for the cooler I've got it all worked out.
Bulldozer said
12:57 AM May 5, 2022
Just an update, I fitted my genuine second hand oil cooler, and driving up the m1 motor way north of Sydney, it dropped to 67deg at 110kph.Even at the top of a hill it never went above 70 deg at 110kph, no van just car only, With no cooler it was around 85deg. I'll try it with the van on it on Sunday. That will be the big test.
Still haven't rigged up a temp gauge yet, my wife sits the data scanner on her lap.
Wazza.
-- Edited by Bulldozer on Thursday 5th of May 2022 06:28:57 AM
Been thinking of getting one of these because they are compact and sit on top of your dashboard. Only want it to monitor my auto transmission temperatures. I've read that they are compatible with my Volvo XC90. But is it hard and complicated to program it to the car? I've heard that it is a bit tricky?
Cheers Wazza
Have you considered getting an Ultragauge? They can monitor up to 8 parameters (Scangauge only does 4), but more importantly they have an audio alarm function which the Scangauge lacks.
My Land Rover is half Ford & other half Volvo assembled by Land Rover administration. It will work as is.
My Land Rover has the Ford 2.0L Ecoboost petrol engine with the Aisin 6 speed auto. Brilliant bit of kit moving 1.8 tonnes (1.885 tonnes with my accessories) 0 to 100kph in 8.0seconds. I don't understand why Ford never put this setup in the last of the Falcons. I love taking off at the lights when required!
I have pulled my car apart, if it doesn't have Ford stamped on the component it is Volvo.
I have only every seen a Toyota piece of rubbish in the dust.
Yeah, thats what I heard. If I buy one I don't want to stuff anything up whilst trying to program it............Cant program my wife after 45 years!! she has programmed me.
bulldozer you really cant stuff anything up , well let me rephrase that , IF you stuff anything up it will only be in the guage you are trying to program so you just go back to the start and redo it . alternatively find a 5 year old child they will sort it for you
. If you contact scanguage australia you may be able to arrange for them to pre-program the guages you require i believe they are quite helpful .
If what you want to monitor is not listed, it's possible a Volvo forum may have some.
The website has instructions on programming, and a video. The reason you may have heard that programming is difficult is because you have to enter 4 different parameters of up to 12 characters, cycling through the alphabet using one button on the device. A bit like entering a password using your TV remote. Tedious but not difficult. Once the X-Gauge is saved, it is available to be displayed just like the built in gauges. Easy to select what you want to display.
If it helps you Bulldozer, I programmed the extra gauges in my Scanguage 2 in my Toyota and I hold no qualifications at all with that instrument.
I also wanted to monitor my Transmission temps, but did not want to spend a lot of money on something that may or may not work.
I had heard of people having success with a cheap OBD2 scanner that works vis Bluetooth to a phone. So $40 later and using an old phone, I know have a display of my Transmission and Engine temps and Alternator output. I can choose out of many types of output to display on the phone (depends on how many sensors your vehicle has). I can show it as a graph or gauge, and it even produces a daily report.
I have even set it to alarm at pre-set temps so I get an audible warning.
This is working well for me.
Phone is attached to dashboard via a magnetic phone holder, so you can position wherever you want.
This is the scanner I purchased (no affiliation).
OBD2 With Bluetooth iPhone & Android OBD2 Austral
Photo of my phone and just the 3 outputs I wanted to display. Transmission temp at the top, then engine temp and finally alternator output. I had switched the engine off before taking the photo hence low alternator display. But alternator output varies quite a bit 30-60 amps. Quite fascinating to watch all the changes on temps etc as driving. But with a modern vehicle with lane keeping sensors, adaptive cruise control, automatic lights and wipers, plus radio and phone controls all controlled from a series of switches on the steering wheel, and all the beeps and lights that go with it, now with these extra gauges. Its like sitting in an airline ****pit and too easy to look at them and not the road!
-- Edited by StreetsAhead on Thursday 21st of April 2022 06:12:31 PM
-- Edited by StreetsAhead on Thursday 21st of April 2022 06:12:57 PM
I wonder if I can say "airline vaginapit"?
Get an Ultragauge. Far better than the scangauge.
Thanks for that Dicko, I checked it out and Ultragauge don't do a thingy link (for want of better words) for volvo. What they did say is you buy one and you may get it to work. They were not sure though. I'll just stick to my dinner plate size Maxidas data scanner and sit it on the back seat, my wife can turn around and check the auto and engine temperature every 10 ks or so.All good.
-- Edited by Bulldozer on Saturday 23rd of April 2022 07:58:57 AM
Have you investigated an app like TorquePro or something. The apps are pretty cheap, then obtain a dongle for the OBD port and a mobile phone or a tablet to view the engine information.
I use TorquePro. I bought a good quality OBD dongle and run through Bluetooth to a 7inch tablet. My system runs on Android but you can run the apps through to iPhones if you want. Previously, I used an old android phone to view the information but it failed, and then I obtained the tablet.
I have a separate mobile phone but other people are happy to use their mobile phone to view the information.
Though, I have a suspicion that sometimes on some vehicles, the apps interfere with the ECU setup of the vehicle. No problems for my vehicle.
Hi Bulldozer,
This is not what you asked but obviously scanguage and ultraguage are not options so maybe consider this option.
https://automatictransmission.com.au/transmission-temperature-gauge/
I note they have a selection menu for make and model.
Not plug and play unfortunately but may give you a permanent option.
Good luck
Bulldozer,
An app might work. Here's a link from someone's chat about an app, though the Volvo is not the same model as yours. Good luck.
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=43270
-- Edited by watsea on Saturday 23rd of April 2022 12:57:23 PM
Just worked out that this is the way I am going to go. seen a you tube video where a guy oversees cut the trans 8mm cooling hose that goes to the radiator cooler and fitted a t piece and sender. I have also just scored a genuine factory transmission cooler that mounts to the front of the car, second hand, so that should help a little in hot weather.
Actually when you think about it this may become the best option for you after all considerations.
Getting a genuine Volvo cooler is *cool* pardon the pun.
Good luck with it.
That idea is good and much used on older vehicles. However most newer cars do not have oil pipes/hoses that go to a radiator cooler, so there are no hose to cut into for a separate cooler. The cooler is mounted in or on the side/top of the transmission and the oil ports are mostly internal.
There may be a way to get an adaptor that will enable the oil flow to be used or not depending on the design. Some research on your particular model transmission is necessary before cutting any pipes.
Jaahn
Thanks to all, for your help! All food for thought, It certainly helped me go in the 'ol school direction. Although my wife (the boss) didnt smile when she heard I was spending more money on the car. Hmmmm, Interesting, she is fine when it comes to spending on the caravan.
Hi Jaahn,
It sounds like Bulldozer has it worked out.
I am certainly not familiar with Volvo vehicles so I will leave it to him.
I guess that technically there are other considerations as well.
The point at which the temperature is read is important to ensure that the reading is representing the hottest temp.
Another consideration is that when fitting a transmission cooler the transmission temperature does not run too cold as transmission oil by its design is to work at certain temperatures and cold may cause the oil to denigrate. This would probably only happen when not towing and when operating in cold climates.
I am sure Bulldozer is covering all these discrepancies with Volvo.
Although he did not ask about it, I would be looking at a torque converter lock up kit if this is applicable on his model vehicle. This may be yet another way to keep the oil temp down while towing.
Funny you say Rob about the torque lock up, Ive just had a reconditioned torque converter fitted, at an all up cost of $2600. It was shuddering going into lock up. Unfortunately I didn't pick up the shudder when I tested it to buy 10 months ago. It does have an Aisin 6 speed in it. It goes into lock up at 1500 rpm in all gears except first. I do tow on the open road in forth gear, it has very tall gearing and with this Yamaha V8 it has bucket loads of power Its a real delight to drive towing the caravan total weight of the two is about 4600kg. As far as the oil lines go for the cooler I've got it all worked out.
Just an update, I fitted my genuine second hand oil cooler, and driving up the m1 motor way north of Sydney, it dropped to 67deg at 110kph.Even at the top of a hill it never went above 70 deg at 110kph, no van just car only, With no cooler it was around 85deg. I'll try it with the van on it on Sunday. That will be the big test.
Still haven't rigged up a temp gauge yet, my wife sits the data scanner on her lap.
Wazza.
-- Edited by Bulldozer on Thursday 5th of May 2022 06:28:57 AM