Transmission Temperature Indicator

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2014 Dodge Journey. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The transmission over-temperature indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator when the transmission fluid temperature is excessive, which may lead to accelerated transmission component wear or failure. This indicator is controlled by the IC logic circuit based upon programming and electronic messages received over the CAN data bus from the TCM.

The transmission over-temperature indicator function of the electronic display unit is completely controlled by the IC logic circuit, and that logic will only allow this indicator to operate when the IC receives a battery current input on the fused ignition output (run-start) circuit. Therefore, the transmission over-temperature indication will always be OFF when the ignition switch status is anything except ON or START. The IC will turn ON the transmission over-temperature indicator for the following reasons:

Trans Over-Temp Indicator Lamp-On Message - Each time the IC receives an electronic trans over-temp indicator lamp-ON message from the TCM indicating that the fluid temperature is too high, the transmission over-temperature indicator will be illuminated and a single chime tone is sounded. The indicator remains illuminated for about five seconds, until the IC receives a lamp-OFF message from the TCM, until the IC arbitrator logic determines that another display request has priority, or until the ignition switch status transitions to OFF, whichever occurs first. The chime tone feature will only repeat during the same ignition cycle if the indicator is cycled OFF and then ON again by the appropriate lamp-ON and lamp-OFF messages from the TCM.

The TCM continually monitors the transmission temperature sensor to determine the transmission operating condition. The TCM then sends the proper lamp-ON or lamp-OFF message to the IC. If the IC illuminates the transmission over-temperature indicator due to a high transmission oil temperature condition, it may indicate that the transmission or the transmission cooling system are being overloaded or that they require service.

For proper diagnosis of the transmission temperature sensor, the TCM, the IC, the CAN data bus or the electronic communication related to transmission over-temperature indicator operation a diagnostic scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.