I hav a zf autobox on my disco 2.

at some point some cowboy removed the default oil cooler (and bodged the lines) they have been replaced by me and an aftermarket mocal unit has been fitted in its place.

Does the ZF transmission's control unit account for oil temperature (and changing viscosity ) when it is driven, and hence modifies the shift pattern slightly? or si the oil temp sensor simply an "oh crap its too hot put a light on" sensor??

answers on a post card please

It's simply how you well described it: "oh crap its too hot put a light on" sensor