"Rear Axle Differential Temp Increased, Decrease Speed" warning

[apex15stangPP]

I asked them about the increased volume and weight, and they said they would get us the answer.

My personal goal for my car is 3500 lbs. So I am wary about a larger radiator if the car don't really seam to need it. Unless the have supplemental cooler provisions for drivetrain, and the increase time on the track. I likely will leave the PP rad.

GOD!! Could you imagine 3500 with driver!! If you could get down there and had 450 HP that would be 7.7 lbs to mover per horsepower. These cars would rock even more!! I'm at 3685 now, 3865 with me in it, with only 408hp/380tq

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[steveespo]

Got the warning in 2 sessions and a wrench light with "See Owner's Manual Message" in 1 of them at Watkins Glen this weekend. Ran 30 minute sessions, temps were cool 50-65 degrees, stock fluid fill, PPGT with GT350 intake, running Conti 285/305 tires and Carbotech brake pads XP24/XP12. Top speeds were between 143-146 and lap times were 2:18.xx to 2:15.xx. Car performed well throughout although my buddy's GT350R was running 2:09.xx to 2:07.xx on Hoosier R7s. Got the warning about 20 minutes into the session and just kept running through it until the wrench came on 3 laps later. The second time it popped up I backed it down for a lap then got back on it until the session ended. Neither time did the car go into Limp Mode or had a power reduction. Will be changing to Miller Oils 75W90 NT and am planning a cooler setup.

 

[Brent Dalton]

Thanks for the data. Any idea on what the wrench means? Thanks.

 

[mnmike59]

I bought an additional sensor, connected it outside of the differential and tied it up under. and ran 5 30 minute sessions Monday, no warnings or messages,lol
Also changed fluid before track day with Amzoil severe gear. Changed the fluid again yesterday after my track day and it looked good, still a little transparent.
IMHO, just unplug it and run it. The 2015's didn't have the sensor, so as I read in this thread earlier, this could be a way for ford to document track use for warranty claims???

 

[Brent Dalton]

As long as you can document that you are following Ford's recommended schedule for maintenance, I don't see how they could dend a claim (with caveats below.) However, what I do see as an automatic red flag is taking your vehicle to ford, and ford pulling a log with sustained high RPMs and a diff sensor with an ambient temp. Obviously performance mods and a tune will also raise a red flag as well and I would guess they will play the "the diff wasn't made for that power level" card. All speculation on my part. For me, I think the best offense is a good defense. When the warning comes up, back off, go back to the drawing board and try to find a solution, rinse, repeat. Since the car doesnt go into limp mode, i dont understand why you wouldnt want the data, other than the warranty concern mentioned above (which im sure could be valid).

 

[mnmike59]

I don't care about the warranty at all. I don't like my attention diverted elsewhere while on the track, especially for something minor. I'll keep my fluids fresh and carry on.

 

[jhols]

Just unplugging the sensor won't fix the issue. I mean that fact that oil gets that hot period isn't good on any component in that system. OEMs won't address problems unless they get warranty claims, either expensive ones or lots of claims. Plus the fact when I emptied my fluid after 3000 miles without any track days the fluid looked just plain awful, that alone would probably key the tech in on it.

 

[mnmike59]

You should read this thread from the OP. You will then understand why I did what I have.
As long as I change fluid after each track day, I'm good. At least until someone comes up with an aftermarket cooling fix. Also until then I'll be damned if I'm going to stop tracking my car because of a warning that doesn't even appear in the 15s and not a concern to Ford or they would issue some sort of notice.
If the worse comes, I replace the differential, which I need to anyway because the gearing is way off for the track I run

Just unplugging the sensor won't fix the issue. I mean that fact that oil gets that hot period isn't good on any component in that system. OEMs won't address problems unless they get warranty claims, either expensive ones or lots of claims. Plus the fact when I emptied my fluid after 3000 miles without any track days the fluid looked just plain awful, that alone would probably key the tech in on it.

 

[Brent Dalton]

I don't care about the warranty at all. I don't like my attention diverted elsewhere while on the track, especially for something minor. I'll keep my fluids fresh and carry on.

It doesn't bother me at all. As awesome as it would be to jump in your car and not pay attention to the gauges, monitoring your car is part of driving on track. Plus it's in the center of the dash where I'm checking gauges as opportunities allow anyways.

You should read this thread from the OP. You will then understand why I did what I have.
As long as I change fluid after each track day, I'm good. At least until someone comes up with an aftermarket cooling fix. Also until then I'll be damned if I'm going to stop tracking my car because of a warning that doesn't even appear in the 15s and not a concern to Ford or they would issue some sort of notice.
If the worse comes, I replace the differential, which I need to anyway because the gearing is way off for the track I run

No one is asking you to do anything. The point of the thread is to find a way to fix the diff from overheating. Other than you, no one has said the beep and warning distracts and/or bothers them. jhols is a friend of mine and has been a part of this conversation from the beginning. He is also a mechanical engineer for ford that has a background in performance driving. I think he is bringing plenty to the thread (Sorry J!)

 

[mnmike59]

It doesn't bother me at all. As awesome as it would be to jump in your car and not pay attention to the gauges, monitoring your car is part of driving on track. Plus it's in the center of the dash where I'm checking gauges as opportunities allow anyways.



No one is asking you to do anything. The point of the thread is to find a way to fix the diff from overheating. Other than you, no one has said the beep and warning distracts and/or bothers them. jhols is a friend of mine and has been a part of this conversation from the beginning. He is also a mechanical engineer for ford that has a background in performance driving. I think he is bringing plenty to the thread (Sorry J!)

Agreed, Thanks for your thoughts. :cheers:

 

[steveespo]

Thanks for the data. Any idea on what the wrench means? Thanks.

The temperature of the diff fluid exceeded 300 deg F, which triggers the wrench light. 286 deg F give the reduce speed warning.
Steve

 

[Optimum Performance]

The temperature of the diff fluid exceeded 300 deg F, which triggers the wrench light. 286 deg F give the reduce speed warning.
Steve

Which means time to change your oil ;)

 

[Optimum Performance]

Just unplugging the sensor won't fix the issue. I mean that fact that oil gets that hot period isn't good on any component in that system. OEMs won't address problems unless they get warranty claims, either expensive ones or lots of claims. Plus the fact when I emptied my fluid after 3000 miles without any track days the fluid looked just plain awful, that alone would probably key the tech in on it.

We had our car serviced at a performance Ford Dealer, fluid was toast, notes on repair order was customer should replace heat marked rotors with slotted rotors.

 

[GT_Roadcourse_Newb]

So far so good

Nothing bad to report about this

 

[mnmike59]

Nothing bad to report about this

I used this and after a full track day (road course) I changed it and was slightly transparent as it flowed from the differential. Win, Win IMO :shrug:

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