I have a quadzilla commander in my 06, installed per quads instructions. Tranny temps have read what I thought were normal readings until the temps started falling to below 40 degrees (I live in the greater seattle area). Every now and then I'd notice that the readings were about 115-120. Then on Xmas day we drove to Montana, and temps were right at 31 - 33 dgrees F, and all the way my tranny temp read 104 (meaning it was at the default or zero reading). Does this indicate that my sender is bad? I'm going to put it up on the lift tomorrow to check it out, and would like to know what to look for in advance. Thanks!

 

I wonder if your TQ was just locked. That would account for an almost cold fluid condition. There is no "fluid" lock when the TQ is locked. That means your fluid is really doing no work. Thus, a darn low temp. I could be wrong, but I believe that is how our auto's work. If you add that fact and the other that you were on the freeway for a LONG drive, I feel confident that's what you were seeing.

That's why temps rise in stop and go traffic. (your TQ isn't locked and temps will rise past 220* fairly quickly)

 

Any other "symptoms" of a locked TC(torque Converter) - I've read many a discussion regarding locking it, but I always got confused and quit trying to understand it.
I do have a Jake Brake, and I ran with it on for some of the trip. But it didnt make any difference if it was on or off, the temp still read the same.

 

On my 98 I had a temp sender right in the heat exchanger inlet metal line. Thats about as hot as it would ever read from. Anyway, I would hardly ever see the needle move above 160* (thats where the needle started) in 45* weather once I hit the freeway. So, I feel pretty confident thats why your temps were so low. That also included 1 mile drive through town, unlocked.

 

If you are running on the highway the tranny temps will not get very high. A lot of times if it is cold outside your tranny may not even exceed 100 degrees.

 

This is definately a posibility because the last time I pulled my travel trailer (about 8500 lbs that trip) along the 40 in AZ my tranny was reading 130*.