Auto Overheating Light

[260DET]

Sometimes car makers make a towing kit available which includes an extra or larger cooler but MrBitchy don't and there is not a lot of info on towing in the handbook. But there is that light and I'm wondering if it is connected to the ECU so that the engine reduces power or something if the light is activated.

I don't mind fitting an air to fluid cooler but if a kit is not available then am not so keen. Will be towing a low height rig weighing no more than 2000kg all up and travelling at the speed limit.

[old Jack]

Hi 260DET,

Auto Pb's have an trans cooler fitted standard, the AT Temp light comes on at 135 deg and off at 115 deg (from memory), if this happens AT ECU protects trans by limiting up shift to 2nd gear.

Those who regularly tow and have trans temp gauges or ScangaugeII fitted that monitor AT temps report temps 95 to 120 and don't have regular issues. A few of us have had the 2nd gear lock out occur without the AT temp coming on but this seems to be quite random. There is plenty of info on this forum about the AT on the Pb so have a read.

If you intend to do a lot of heavy towing and are worried then a Torque Convertor lockup switch, Nomad valve upgrade and synthetic trans fluid upgrades by Wholesale Automatics, Bayswater Vic. may be worth considering .

cheers, old Jack.

Search "Problems with towing"

[260DET]

Thanks oJ, yeh I have gone through a lot of previous posts on towing but was not sure on the overheating light question.

[PeePee]

I just returned from a 400 k towing trip which including going over Cunninghams Gap and I used manual mode all the way, no issues withe auto getting hot. I think if you are going to tow, use manual mode and you should be okay.

[Renc]

Will pop into Supercheap and get a ryco. Thanks guys