Hey guys, quick question. In the last two days I drove my Monti up to the local mountain snow. A lot of snow, elevation 8,000. I will post some pic's later. The Monti performed flawlessly in the heavy snow. I drove into work this morning with no problems. The truck sat for about 4 hours while I worked and when I went down to use the truck the A/T Temp light remained on. I stopped at the gas station, and the guy added about 1/2 qt of transmission oil, but the light remained on. I drove the truck about 17 miles and left it parked in my other office parking garage for fear of causing any damage and picked up my FJ. There is no burning smell, or hot smell coming from the truck. Could it be the sensor, and is the sensor an easy fix for a non mechanic like me? Thanks for the help!

I bet the snow got to the sensor and is causing it to fail. Mine come on shortly after driving through some mud and would stay on all the time.

Best way to tell is to leave the car for a while, or overnight and then if it comes on immediately when you turn it on in the morning you know it's the sensor because they tranny is completely cool.

89Montero, thanks for the response. I will take your advice and let the truck sit for a day or two, and then start it up. If the AT light remains on after sitting for two days I guess my next move is to change the sensor. I'm not much of a mechanic and still learning, is the sensor easily visible and replaceable, or is it in the tranny and more complicated where I would have an experienced mechanic change it.

If your's is located where mine is it'll be on the right side of the trans, on top of a T-fitting where the trans oil line from the torque converter comes out of the transmission to the oil cooler. The clearance looks a little tight and I think you'll be best using a line wrench if it will allow you to turn the switch enough. Maybe even a crows foot wrench?? If you replace it I would appreciate a pic with some measurements, or better, mail it to me and I'll reimburse for postage. I'm looking at replacing my inclinometer with an Auto Meter oil temp gauge #4440. The gauge is electric with a setable warning light and peak temp memory. I will need to install the Auto Meter sensor (1/8 NPT). Will probably need to run a 1/8th tap into the BSP switch thread to get the npt to work. I don't know yet if the length of the Auto Meter sensor will work as it needs to be long enough to be in the oil stream but not too long to block flow. Auto Meter gave me the measurments of the sensor but I was going to pull the existing switch to see if it's even close. Let me know how easy/hard it is to pull the switch.

just overnight is more than enough time. I never replaced mine and it eventually dried out and turned off after a couple months. Probably best to replace though so you do overheat you will know.

I suspect you'll find the Autometer sender is too long for the A/T temp switch port. IIRC, the sender element is about 3/4" past the threads.

They also sell a shallow depth area sender (PN 2259), but it's only for the short sweep gauges.

I guess you've already rejected installing a bung in the A/T fluid pan for the sender. Yeah, the pan is a pain to take off.

I talked to Tech Help at Auto Meter where the guy gave me rough measurements. Measurement from bottom of thread to end of sensor probe is 1/2". I'm hoping the Mitsu temp switch is 1/8" BSP(JIS), if so I may be able to thread in the 1/8 NPT but usually the factory threads are fairly precise so I probably will have to run a 1/8 NPT tap. The most accurate measurement of A/T temp is at torque converter so if it's possible I'll see if I can use the factory port.

I just changed my temp sensor two weeks ago. It's outside the trans, just like the other post stated. Sits on top of a cooler line tee-fitting. I used a crows foot wrench on a long 3/8 extension, can't remember if it's a 17mm or 19mm hex on the sensor body. Seals to the line fitting with a single o-ring on the sensor itself, and yes, the sensor body is short, if you're looking to adapt to the stock port for it. I had a intermittent a/t light on for most of a day. No water in the connector or sensor, just a wacky sensor that was driving me a bit nuts <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />. Now it's all good again........ <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

From Houston's description it looks like the switch thread is straight with o-ring, not BSP/JIS? Therefore the NPT Auto Meter sensor may not work.

well I let the Monti sit for a little over two days. I left it parked in an underground garage where its dry and warm. I started it up this morning and the A/T light stayed on. I've been driving it around all day today, even with a unsecure front shock (very dangerous and stupid i know!). I'am going to order the A/T sendor and find someone to install it for me. I did notice while driving around, and the numerous times I turned the truck off and on, the A/T light did remain off for about 20 minutes but eventually it came back on. I am wondering if its still wet/moist and needs to dry out more. How long would you suggest I drive with AT light on before finally replacing the sensor?