Total n00b in FL buying a used RP-171, need advice

It was a while ago, but when I started considering trans temp someone here on the forum suggested a OBD II scan gauge and whoever it was, (searched but cannot find) I just want to say THANK YOU! I was totally clueless about such devices. I'm aware of the diagnostics port of course, but had no idea you could use an after market interface to tap all of the data the ecm holds and use it to monitor TV systems. So, after considering many other options I purchased the scan gauge II and it WORKS! Apparently the Ranger has a Trans Temp senor used to activate a solenoid after reaching temp to allow fluid to flow through the cooler and the scan gauge picks up the temp through the X-Gauge feature...solves so many problems trying to add an after market trans gauge, not to mention all of the whistles and bells that come with it. Thanks again! This forum rocks! 

Originally posted by techntrek We both posted at the same time, Charlie, people are going to think we are the same person. You really think this much knowledge, experience, and general BS could be collected in one person, Doug? They'd never believe it.   Ok, so Honda has a specialty connector at the rear of the vehicle, I see now.  That means all of the wiring is there.  If you want to save some money you could map out which pins go to which pins on the Bargeman, get the part numbers off of the relays, then return the kit.  Buy the $5 Bargeman and hook up the wires manually using the pinouts you copied.  Get the relays from a local auto parts store. I'm basically lazy so I'd take John's approach of buying the kit with all the parts. Installation instructions look detailed enough to make success probable. At least they're not written in Chinglish. Compared to the ScanGuage and other options the Interceptor is pricey.  What I liked about it is you don't need to mess with setup codes.  You buy one specific to your vehicle brand. I looked at the Intercepter on their site. Looks interesting, but they don't seem to support Hondas. But I want to emphasize to John that, regardless of what the companies say in their general capabilities section, you can only monitor what the vehicle computer puts out on the bus. The Honda guys have been trying hard to measure engine oil temp, but looks like it ain't there on the bus. And Doug, your engine coolant temperature reading may actually be displaying the surface temperature of newly discovered Asteroid Hillary as it enters the Earth's atmosphere. Just a guess.

Originally posted by techntrek Find out what brand & type the WDH is and we can help figure that out.   Do you mean the 7-pin Bargeman connection at the rear of the vehicle, or the 4 pin wiring harness used to connect a brake controller under the dash?  The Bargeman is a generic part which can be purchased very cheaply like this.  A good brake controller (Prodigy) with specific harness for the Ridgeline is about $150 on the same site, maybe that is what you meant?  Installing either item is fairly easy, they just take a little time.   Keep in mind the temperature gauge on the dash may not show EITHER the actual oil or coolant temperature even though the manual may lead you to believe that.  After installing the Interceptor I found that to be true with the temperature gauge in the Chevys - the temp on the dash isn't the temperatures the computer reads and uses in its computations/warnings.  That's one benefit of using the aftermarket readers that talk to the computer.

Find out what brand & type the WDH is and we can help figure that out.

You may want an extra oil cooler too.  Like the Scan Gauge Charlie mentioned, I installed an AeroForce Interceptor to monitor my vitals and long climbs can cook the oil.  Keder is the word Charlie is looking for, the older pods had a smaller C channel so need a smaller keder, which is what feeds into the C channel.