Warning light

[triassic]

On my `92 Classic I`ve got a warning light come on the dashboard, it looks like a gear wheel with a temperature gauge in the middle, what does it mean?

[TerryS]

The Transmission High Temp warning light is triggered by a thermal switch in the output side of the transmission fluid cooler line from gearbox to coolers up front. It is obviously intended to tell you your gearbox is running hot. That being said, there is often a fault related with the light circuit, usually from a bad switch, but it's best to get the temp read ASAP, so you don't cook your gearbox. First off, pull you trans level dip stick, see that you have the correct amount, then smell it to see if it reaks of burned fluid. If that's all good, get somone to "shoot" the line with a digital, infrared thermometer. If it is hot, get the fluid changed, filter serviced, flush the lines, coolers and gearbox.

[triassic]

Cheers for that, is it probably a faulty switch as the light is on from when the car is cold? Will get it checked asap anyway.

[Paul Grant]

I just couldn't resist chiming in on this one. As Terry knows, I have an '85 Rangie with a 5 speed so none of the a/t cooling/sensor components come into play on the truck. Nonetheless, ever since I first got the truck five years and almost 50K miles ago, that very light comes on whenever it rains. My wife and I have dubbed it the "Lucas: It's wet outside" warning light!

[triassic]

I`ve had it 3 years and its never come on before, but I`ve had the auto box go bang twice hence my concern!!

[dirtyduk]

TerryS is right in the ball park,before you get too excited though check that temp sensor for corrosion on the terminals it happend to mine,the connector boot does a nice job of holding water if its not fitted properly.its located on the drivers side of the radiator at the lower cooler line.