4l60e Troubles

Garrett Street · November 26, 2010

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.

Thanks, and Happy Thanksgiving.

brainpause · November 26, 2010

Is this on you '99 Silverado?

How many miles?

Where or who did the fluid change?

txab · November 26, 2010

If a mechanic did the change take it back to him and have him check his work. Maybe the shifter linkage bracket could be the problem. Or when removing the pan damage was done to the solenoids. Make sure wiring harness are connected properly

You might take a look at this maintenance guide in the tech wiki.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/resources/how-to/...e-transmission/

tenntoby · November 26, 2010

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 · November 26, 2010

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 · November 26, 2010

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 · November 27, 2010

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 · November 27, 2010

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 · November 27, 2010

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.

rjirvine · November 27, 2010

Here's a cool link on the 4L60e

http://www.gmtruckhq.com/?q=node/93

Garrett Street · November 28, 2010

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 · November 28, 2010

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 · November 28, 2010

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.

jro909 · November 28, 2010

Here's a cool link on the 4L60e

http://www.gmtruckhq.com/?q=node/93

pretty good link, although it diden't answer my questions about my tran related questions

uchi · November 28, 2010

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.