42RLE Transmission Drain Plug Temp Sensor?

[Bowhunter]

Tried searching this topic and found a short thread from G-Whiz back in 2017 with limited info.


If one was to purchase a transmission pan with a drain plug like the below Amazon url, is there an adapter kit or temp sensor that would screw into the drain plug hole?


I’ve seen many threads about welding/brazing a bung in a pan so I may be way off base here. But as long as I’m good without having a drain plug in the pan, can I get a temp sensor to install in place of the drain plug?


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z7O4OVA/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[TexasTJ2004]

I have a pan from Amazon with Drain plug. I installed into it the temperature sensor.

 

[TexasTJ2004]

This was the pan:
Dorman 265-818 Transmission Oil Pan Compatible with Select Models https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z7O4OVA/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[Bowhunter]

This was the pan:
Dorman 265-818 Transmission Oil Pan Compatible with Select Models https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z7O4OVA/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Thanks for the info! Ended up finding someone to weld a bung in the pan but this may help someone in the future.

One thing I’m still trying to figure out is how to power the temp gauge. Not sure which ignition power circuit I should tie into. How did you get power to the gauge?

 

[TexasTJ2004]

Thanks for the info! Ended up finding someone to weld a bung in the pan but this may help someone in the future.

One thing I’m still trying to figure out is how to power the temp gauge. Not sure which ignition power circuit I should tie into. How did you get power to the gauge?

Went into the fuse box under the glove box. Found unused slot that has power, I think the one that is for hardtop (I have aftermarket hardtop that does not have heater or wipers).

 

[Mike_H]

Thanks for the info! Ended up finding someone to weld a bung in the pan but this may help someone in the future.

One thing I’m still trying to figure out is how to power the temp gauge. Not sure which ignition power circuit I should tie into. How did you get power to the gauge?

I tapped into my Radio power. There is a constant 12V wire and a switched 12V there.

 

[Bowhunter]

I tapped into my Radio power. There is a constant 12V wire and a switched 12V there.

Thanks for the suggestion!

I did some research on YouTube and one guy was saying the cigarette lighter on the left side is switch 12v. Wondering if that would be an easy access spot?

Did you have the pull off the whole center portion of the dash to get to the radio power?

 

[mrblaine]

Thanks for the info! Ended up finding someone to weld a bung in the pan but this may help someone in the future.

One thing I’m still trying to figure out is how to power the temp gauge. Not sure which ignition power circuit I should tie into. How did you get power to the gauge?

The best, simplest, and easiest method is to use a fuse tap and stick that into the cluster power fuse slot. Get the tap with slightly longer tabs on it, not the short ones.
We done well over 40 that way judging by how many I've purchased on Amazon. We cut off the crappy butt connector and replace it with a good one.

 

[TexasTJ2004]

I used fuse tap as well. This is the most reliable method, I think

 

[AjRagno]

A fuse tap will be simple. You’ll also need to consider how to route the sensor wire. I used a crochet needle to pull the wire through the throttle cable grommet. The bulb is wired to the transmission indicator light.

 

[Mike_H]

Thanks for the suggestion!

I did some research on YouTube and one guy was saying the cigarette lighter on the left side is switch 12v. Wondering if that would be an easy access spot?

Did you have the pull off the whole center portion of the dash to get to the radio power?

Yes. When I was doing mine, it was already apart, so no biggie.

 

[Mfpaul73]

This was the pan:
Dorman 265-818 Transmission Oil Pan Compatible with Select Models https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z7O4OVA/?tag=wranglerorg-20

And what temp sensor fit the drain plug hole/threads? Are they all the same?

 

[TexasTJ2004]

And what temp sensor fit the drain plug hole/threads? Are they all the same?

This is the sensor - glow shift : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LZ24K54/?tag=wranglerorg-20
This is the pan :https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Z7O4OVA/?tag=wranglerorg-20
The sensor did not fit into pan drain plug thread, so I had buy an an adapter - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08WTCN67B/?tag=wranglerorg-20

You put the pan, you remove the drain plug, screw the adapter instead of plug, and then you screw the sensor into the adapter.

 

[Mfpaul73]

This is the sensor - glow shift : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LZ24K54/?tag=wranglerorg-20
This is the pan :https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Z7O4OVA/?tag=wranglerorg-20
The sensor did not fit into pan drain plug thread, so I had buy an an adapter - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08WTCN67B/?tag=wranglerorg-20

You put the pan, you remove the drain plug, screw the adapter instead of plug, and then you screw the sensor into the adapter.

Thank you for the detailed reply. Perfect.