2002 Cadillac Escalade 4L65-E Transmission Question

[RLGDiesel]

Hello...thank you for providing a great resource for our GM trucks!

 

I have a question on my 2002 Escalade (6.0L Vortec HO, 4L65-E transmission). This vehicle is about a year old to me, and I had read numerous reviews praising its very smooth and precise four-speed automatic. When driving around town, however, I have been noticing that the shift from first to second gear is quite noticeable (not a huge jerk, but not silky either). Additionally, when traveling at approximately 38-47 miles per hour, even a slight grade requires the transmission to downshift from fourth to third gear. Is this due to the large weight of the vehicle and tall first gear? Maybe I should be using (3) around town instead of (D). Is there something I can do or a software fix to smooth out the 1-2 shift or is this inherent to the vehicle and transmission?

 

Thanks for your help, and sorry for the long post!

[mmmikkke]

4L60E's are notorious for that. About half of 'em eventually develop that stiff 1-2 shift. And a 4L65E is just a beefed up 4L60.

 

Rather than screw around and try to get that fixed in my '02 Z71, I went with the sure thing and traded it in on an HD with a 4L80E which doesn't have that problem, and also doesn't have a couple of other problems that the 4L60E has. That's one way to solve the problem.

[RLGDiesel]

Thanks for the reply...any other alternative than trading her in? I much rather deal with a slightly stiff shift (tongue twister). Could the clutch packs be worn? (I do not know whether the previous owner had the bad habit of shifting into (D) while still rolling back in ®.) Are there any programming modules that will corect this issue without causing the infamous "clunk"?

[TonyMazz]

Change the fluid and filter..... you don't mention how many miles you have on the truck so it's hard to say...

 

 

Some times checkvalves stick in the valve body......or get worn over time.

 

See how it does after fluid change....no improvement, consider asking for the a valve body upgrade...like I say sometimes the orfice in the valve assembly get sloppy...

 

but start with a simple maintenance item first....no need to flush tranny, just do the service, and filter....takes about 5-6 quarts out ....new filter and good to go...

 

Additionally, just noticed that there is a TSB Bulletin No.: 01-07-30-030B

 

Date: October 18, 2005

 

INFORMATION

 

Subject:

4L60-E/4L65-E Automatic Transmission Diagnostic Information on Harsh 1-2 Upshift

 

Models:

2001-2006 GM Passenger Cars and Light Duty Trucks

2003-2006 HUMMER H2

2006 HUMMER H3

2005-2006 Saab 9-7X

 

with 4L60-E or 4L65-E Automatic Transmission

 

Supercede:

 

This bulletin is being revised to add model years and models. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 01-07-30-030A (Section 07 - Transmission/Transaxle).

 

The following four conditions have been found to cause the majority of consistent, harsh 1-2 shift comments

 

 

Chips/Sediment/Debris/Contamination found in the valve body, 1-2 accumulator valve (371) bore, may cause the 1-2 accumulator valve to stick or hang-up

 

Chips/Sediment/Debris/Contamination found in the valve body, 4-3 sequence valve (383) bore, may cause the 4-3 sequence valve to stick or hang-up.

 

 

A cracked 1-2 accumulator piston (56) that is allowing fluid to leak by.

 

Mislocated/Missing valve body-to-spacer plate check balls (61).

 

When attempting to correct a consistent harsh 1-2 shift, the four conditions listed above should be inspected as possible causes. It is important to also refer to the appropriate Service Manual for further possible causes of this condition.

[KB06YUKONXL]

I have a 2006 Denali with a similar issue.....get a trans flush & pan drop with filter change first. See if that helps. Make sure they refill with DexronVI fluid. More expensive but much better. But you want a flush to get all the old fluid out of the torque converter. Plus you want the filter changed and the sediment cleande out of the pan as well. Then see how you do with the new synthetic Dexron VI.

[RLGDiesel]

Thanks for the replies...the TSB seems especially helpful.

 

The Escalade currently has 41,000 miles. I had a transmission fluid flush performed by the Cadillac dealership at 37,000 miles. I specified to use only the approved Dexron fluid, and I hope this is the newer synthetic kind you mentioned.

 

I am a little wary, however, to tamper with the transmission (i.e. install a new valve body) since the issue is not very noticeable and may be inherent to the 4L65-E transmission. I do not want to cause the clunking 2-1 downshift many 2002, 2003 Escalade owners are experiencing with the transmission. I will probably ask the dealer to refer to the TSB (see above) if the problem worsens.

 

Thanks again!

[mmmikkke]

You have just jumped onto the "maybe this 'll fix it" treadmill. You'll run on it for a while, you might think it's fixed, and the problem will eventually come back. Good luck.

[desrtrat]

Hello...thank you for providing a great resource for our GM trucks!

 

I have a question on my 2002 Escalade (6.0L Vortec HO, 4L65-E transmission). This vehicle is about a year old to me, and I had read numerous reviews praising its very smooth and precise four-speed automatic. When driving around town, however, I have been noticing that the shift from first to second gear is quite noticeable (not a huge jerk, but not silky either). Additionally, when traveling at approximately 38-47 miles per hour, even a slight grade requires the transmission to downshift from fourth to third gear. Is this due to the large weight of the vehicle and tall first gear? Maybe I should be using (3) around town instead of (D). Is there something I can do or a software fix to smooth out the 1-2 shift or is this inherent to the vehicle and transmission?

 

Thanks for your help, and sorry for the long post!

 

maybe the last owner put in a shift kit, or a vette servo..???

 

[1999 Tahoe 4x4]

My 4L60E has symptoms similar to what you have described. (Indeed I even had a Cadillac before that did the same. So these symptoms just keep following me)

 

I can only give you the same "silly" advice that I give to myself: It is a small issue, so just ignore it!

If you feel that ignoring such problem is not for you then I think it is time to get some other brand. GM is a great brand but in my experience has lot's of small/minor issues like that. So there will be more minor things one could worry about coming up for you.

 

I know this is not what you want to hear, but I think it is better to be clear and understand what you are dealing with.

[KB06YUKONXL]

Remember...underneath all that leather & bose sound system is lurking a Tahoe with a 6L V8 and AWD tcase. It's still going to behave like a Chevy truck in some respects.