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4l60e Troubles

Garrett Street

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Garrett Street Enthusiast

Garrett Street

Posted
Posted

The title describes it. I had my trucks transmission fluid changed and when I got in to drive it home I realized there was a problem. It seems my truck now only has 3rd gear. I start in 3rd and it never shifts. I can put the shifter into 1 and it still is in 3rd. Reverse works but nothing else. Do you think I should just have it rebuilt? Is a 4l80E an easy swap? Any advice you guys have would be great. Not looking forward to a big repair bill. :cheers:

 

Thanks, and Happy Thanksgiving.

brainpause Enthusiast

brainpause

Posted
Posted

Is this on you '99 Silverado?

 

How many miles?

 

Where or who did the fluid change?

tenntoby Enthusiast

tenntoby

Posted
Posted

Agree with txab, trans. pan is tight getting out past the exhaust on your model of truck. Seen a couple instances where someone will break or crack a shift solenoid wrestling the pan out. HTH

twavor Enthusiast

twavor

Posted
Posted

Wow....didn't the mechanic take it for a test drive after he did the flush? I'd definitely take it back to the mechanic and ask what the heck happened. If it was fine when I took it there, and now only has 3rd and Reverse...I'd be P-O'd.

 

Travis

ChevyTech77 Senior Enthusiast

ChevyTech77

Posted
Posted

Wrong filter installed?

 

SES light on?

 

Any solenoid failure will yield automatic default to 3rd gear only as will a lack of ignition voltage to any

of the solenoids.

Garrett Street Enthusiast

Garrett Street

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for all the help guys. I drove it a little more today and found that it will go into 2nd if I manually engage it but won't ever downshift or hit OD. So, I have second, third and reverse. Do you think the solenoids are bad and the mechanic could have damaged them? Also, it is a 99 Silverado with 186K on the odo. The SES light is on and the code read "Transmission Slip". As far as I can tell the transmission has never seen any type of work before so maybe it was just time for something to fail? Any help is much appreciated.

minibike132 Senior Enthusiast

minibike132

Posted
Posted
I drove it a little more today and found that it will go into 2nd if I manually engage it but won't ever downshift or hit OD. So, I have second, third and reverse. Do you think the solenoids are bad and the mechanic could have damaged them?

 

Yes, I'm almost 100% positive one of the solenoids were unplugged or cracked when removing the pan.

aaron8301 Enthusiast

aaron8301

Posted
Posted

I concur with the solenoid/wiring problem. I've installed a remote starter in my 2002 Suburban with the 4l60e. It's a known issue that if you don't also supply power to the transmission as well as the ignition, the transmission defaults to this 2nd/3rd only mode. Also, the fluid level will read much higher than it should on the stick. I experienced this myself due to my learning curve ;)

 

Take it back to the mechanic and tell him he either screwed up a solenoid, or didn't plug something in.

Garrett Street Enthusiast

Garrett Street

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for all the info guys. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it! I'm going to take it to a TRUSTED mechanic this time and tell him everything you've told me. I have a whole 'nother 4L60E waiting on me for 550bucks if I say I need it. It's been rebuilt and has a 30day warranty. Should I just jump on that or try and save my 186k mile dinosaur? Again, thanks so much guys!

twavor Enthusiast

twavor

Posted
Posted
Thanks for all the info guys. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it! I'm going to take it to a TRUSTED mechanic this time and tell him everything you've told me. I have a whole 'nother 4L60E waiting on me for 550bucks if I say I need it. It's been rebuilt and has a 30day warranty. Should I just jump on that or try and save my 186k mile dinosaur? Again, thanks so much guys!

Rebuilt 4L60E for $550? That's about half price of what I get mine for....I'd be skeptical.

 

If your trans worked fine before the trans flush....it should be fine if you fix what was eff'd up by your first 'mechanic'.

 

Travis

Garrett Street Enthusiast

Garrett Street

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I thought it sounded too good to be true. I may be right. But I've been searching on Craigslist and the norm, around here, is about 6-700. So it's not completely out of the water. Also, my truck has been reading "Transmission Slip" on the SES light for a while now. I just assumed the clutches are getting tired.

uchi Enthusiast

uchi

Posted
Posted

before spending money bring it back to that mechanic and tell him he screwed something up. problem is youve been driving around with it for a bit so he may not believe it was his fault. its one of those things you do right away when you notice it. but thats what id do and take it from there. personally i dont think you should have to shell out any coin for this as it wasnt your fault, you were simply getting the fluid changed and he damaged something by accident. its like getting an oil change and the guy not tightening up the filter properly and you blowing your motor becuse it ran out of oil.

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