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OBD2 Engine/transmission monitor for 3.6 gas

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37K views 75 replies 27 participants last post by  el Jefe  
#1 ·
Has anyone had any luck finding a performance monitor yet so a person can monitor engine and transmission parameters from the vehicle's computer such as oil pressure, transmission temperature? I understand they're monitored but can't find a display monitor (not a programmer) to display the info. Several are sold as if they will, but contacting the mfg, such as Edge, they tell me they don't make one that works with the Promaster 3.6 gas.

I'm about to start searching mechanic's diagnostic tools, but would rather have one that can be dash or windshield mounted relatively permanently. I'm especially interested in monitoring transmission temperature, having had issues in the past with other vehicles. Of course, then, we tapped in a mechanical gauge. These days, one wants to tap the vehicle's computer via the OBD2.
 
#5 ·
It's called a ScanGage, here is the link

http://www.scangauge.com

I bought it a long time ago to use in my Sprinter (mainly to clear the constant codes and being locked in limp home mode for no reason)
When I sold the Sprinter I just moved it to the Promaster and now I basically use it at a digital speedo, voltmeter, tach and temp gauge. It does a lot more but I don't bother with anything else. I paid about $100 yeas ago but I think they are a lot more now. No idea if it will tell trans temp because I never cared to look. I also have another app/setup on my iPhone and iPad that works wirelessly with a sender that plugs into the OBDP but I never use it as I have no need for the info it provides and is a major PITA to deal with.
 
#76 ·
It's called a ScanGage, here is the link

http://www.scangauge.com

I bought it a long time ago to use in my Sprinter (mainly to clear the constant codes and being locked in limp home mode for no reason)
When I sold the Sprinter I just moved it to the Promaster and now I basically use it at a digital speedo, voltmeter, tach and temp gauge. It does a lot more but I don't bother with anything else. I paid about $100 yeas ago but I think they are a lot more now. No idea if it will tell trans temp because I never cared to look. I also have another app/setup on my iPhone and iPad that works wirelessly with a sender that plugs into the OBDP but I never use it as I have no need for the info it provides and is a major PITA to deal with.
The Scangauge II will give you tranny temp. You have to program it in 2014-2020. I wouldn't see why late models wouldn't work as well.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Before you buy a scan tool it is best to do research on what PID's Chrysler has released for view. Chrysler does NOT release PID code. The PID's you are looking for are manufacture specific and not generic. Any scan tool that can read custom PID's should work and that is what you will have to enter. And if you do find a PID you have to make sure it is for what they say it is for. GM, Ford and others release a lot more pid's so don't expect to come close to them as to what you can read. Good luck and if you do find a custom pid post it and the source would be nice too.
Edit here's a list of generic pid's not all will work even same model and year'
www.drewtech.com/reference/DDXL Chrysler%20PID%20List.pdfhttps://www.google.com/search?q=pid&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-US:IE-SearchBox&ie=&oe=#
 
#8 ·
Thanks to everyone again. I have contacted Scan Guage by email, I had not found them yet as a mfg, and asked them for specific vehicle application to the Promaster. What I found on their site is this, so we'll see what they say:

"The ScanGaugeII is specifically designed for all 1996 and newer cars & light trucks. It features more than 15 built-in digital gauges, 4 trip computers and the exclusive X-Gauge™ programmable gauge system; you can monitor parameters such as trip data, transmission temperature, and fuel economy information — All in an ultra compact design that installs in minutes."
 
#9 ·
A very cordial and quick reply from the folks at Scan Gauge.

They sent me this link, it's a bit above my head for simple "plug n play" into the OBD2 port, perhaps others here will provide their insight as well. We have a 2014 3.6 Gas Promaster.

http://www.scangauge.com/support/x-gauge/dodge-specific/

The reply:

We have transmission temperature available as an XGauge. XGauge is a standard feature on the ScanGaugeII that allows the user to program vehicle specific sensors to monitor. Using the following link http://www.scangauge.com/support/x-gauge/dodge-specific/ you can access the XGauges we have available for your vehicle. If your vehicle reports this sensor through the ECU you will be able to monitor it with the ScanGauge. Unfortunately, we do not have oil pressure available for Dodge vehicles. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Regards,

Cristina Bollinger
Repairs and Technical Support
Linear Logic
1.888.433.5664
 
#10 ·
It will probably take a while for them to catch up to the current RAM/Chrysler/Fiat codes for programming. It's not too encouraging when they don't even use the word 'RAM' and that is technically what the Promaster has been sold as from the start. Of course our drivetrain was also sold as Plymouth, Dodge, Chrysler, & Ram and it's hard to tell exactly what they did when the Fiat chassis was melded in. For years the Scangauge was used with Sprinters with no trans temp available. After five or six years the X-codes were found (probably no thanks to Mercedes), but only for the 07 & later chassis. These manufacturers are all very secretive, and particularly Chrysler.
 
#12 ·
Hi Everyone,

I'm James DeLong and I'm one of the engineers that works on XGauges for the ScanGauge. I recently had a chance to work on a ProMaster City, and was able to get Transmission Temperature reading on the ScanGauge for it. I'm hoping what I picked up from the ProMaster City may apply to the ProMaster, so if anybody with a ScanGauge would like to test out some XGauges feel free to PM me here or Email me at XGauge@Linear-Logic.com.

With any luck we'll get Trans Temp working soon.

James DeLong
Linear Logic LLC
Development Engineer
 
#11 ·
I use a $10 wi-fi dongle that plugs into the OBDII port. Then I use an $8 piece of software called Palmer called Dash Command. It takes some playing around to get the gauges right, but pretty much out of the box it reads coolant temp, A/F ratio, catalytic temp, fuel level, voltage and a few others. If memory serves, it will NOT read trans temp or oil temp, but I could be wrong for that. And it could have been updated in the year since I bought it. It's a cheap date, and well worth it if like me you like to monitor stuff BEFORE it fails. I've used it on iPhones 4, 5 and 6 with no issues.
 
#13 ·
Thank you Mr. DeLong. Please keep us posted. I'm waiting patiently to hear and to buy one when you tell me it will do what I need. My main goals at this point are transmission oil temperature and engine oil pressure.
Got to take ours for a nice 700+ mile drive Friday, mild load, bucking a head cross wind of 30+ one direction, shifted to a cross wind on the return. You descend almost 3000 feet then climb it back on the return, which was with the load. Fortunately, the wind wasn't a head wind on the return uphill trip also, this time, but it's the reason I want to monitor that trans temp, because it usually is a head wind on the uphill return. BTW, the van managed up to 19mpg in our 136" High Top Gas, with most of the trip in the 18 to 18.5 range, and we should have been in the 8000 lb ball park total weight, vehicle n cargo. Mild hilly, no mountains, most of the elevation change is in a 100 mile area.
 
#14 ·
I would gladly pay $20 for an app that was well integrated with the promaster. But I'd be hesitant to spend hundreds on a scan gauge. Multiply me by thousands of Promasters and you can see where the money is, Mr Delong.
 
#20 ·
Thanks for the post, Keeponvaning. What were your results with the "prototype", please?

While I'd like to know for my previous goals for Trans temp and engine oil pressure, I'd also now like to know if it will read the error codes. We've got a check engine code for the first time, but have to go to a dealer soon for some minor warranty issues anyway, but I'd still like to know what the error code is before I head out on the highway for a 2 hr drive to the dealer, or any driving, for that matter. It's the solid, not flashing, warning, and the dealer as well as the manual feels many things can set it off, just as other posters have said, and it may reset itself. The Service Manager asked me to not pop off the battery cable to reset it, because then it's gone from history for him to see when we get there to the dealer.

Makes me wish for the old days of simpler stuff.....but those days are gone I suppose.....lol lol.
But, then, on the other hand, this is why I want to be able to KNOW what's going on with the darned thing, not rely on what even my grandfather use to refer to as "Idiot Lights" that only came on when, for example, the temp was way TOO HIGH, or the oil pressure was way TOO LOW. By then, it might be TOO LATE. lol

Gimme a set of good 'ol guages....I'll be happy, but my age is showing.....lol
 
#25 ·
This post, not mine, was dated Oct '18, might work on the PM?, for those of you with ScanGauge.

I just got these codes from ScanGauge to program an X-Gauge into the ScanGauge so it reads the temperature in the transmission of the 62TE 6 Speed Transmissions found in the 2012 - 2019 Dodge Grand Caravans.

I thought I would post in this section for future reference for those searching the Internet for this information, as you need to know the temperature of the fluid in the pan for correct refilling procedure using a measuring dipstick like the one Dorman makes. Not everyone has access to a proper scan-tool to read this information and most cheap ones will not do it, but they might have a ScanGauge or have a friend that has one. Or might just want to watch the temperature as they are towing.

X-Gauge Programming codes:
TXD: 07E022B010
RXF: 046205B00610
RXD: 3010
MTH: 000100400000
NAME: TF1
 
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#28 ·
Linear Logic customer service me an email (November 2020) with info on this topic that I have pasted below AND it worked on the SG2 we just installed in our 2020 Promaster 3500 Travato:

"These XGauges worked for a 2017 customer, for engine oil temperature and transmission fluid temperature:
Engine Oil Temperature (°F)
TXD: 10F121E8
RXF: C32100000000
RXD: 3008
MTH: 00090005FFAD
NAM: OIL

Transmission Fluid Temp (°F)
TXD: 10F1229110
RXF: C46205913610
RXD: 3010
MTH: 000100400000
NAME: ATF

On your ScanGaugeII (with the vehicle running) select MORE> MORE> scroll to XGAUGE> EDIT. There should be a number on the top right of the screen. For each XGauge, you will need to select a different number (memory slot) that does not already have an XGauge saved under it. Once you select the number, press EDIT (bottom left) and you will be prompted to enter in different parts of the code, pressing OK> after each part. Each XGauge has five parts: the TXD, RXF, RXD, MTH, and NAM. Simply enter in the corresponding codes and after entering in the NAM press OK> and SAVE>. The XGauge should now be with your other gauges. These directions can be located on page 40 of the user manual."

NOTE: When I contacted UltraGauge with the same questions on Oil and Transmission they said, essentially, sorry we don't have a fix - thus my Scangauge 2 purchase.
 
#26 ·
I realize you can't do this while driving, but a non contact lazer thermometer pointed at the trans pan will give you a good idea of the oil temp in the transmission. I do this when I use a dipstick to check its level.
 
#27 ·
I dont bother. Fully warm and idling in neutral on level ground, the spec is 2” on the stick. Set it there and forget about it.
I could be mistaken, but I have evidence that this particular trans is tolerant of being underfilled, but not tolerant of being overfilled, which is why the filling is such a proceedure. I have personally run our trans OUT of fluid (leaking) several times. It starts slipping, then just doesnt move. Add more and it worke fine again.
But overfilling it might put the fluid level up by the spining bits. This would froth the fluid and aerate it, and trying to drive on air bubbles would likely cause rapid wear. My guess is that this is why the factory is so anal about the level.