Transmission Problems On 4l60e Equipped GMC Truck

Volucris · June 3, 2010

I think you are confusing the fan switch with the thermostat. When did GM switch from the 195 degree one? The fan may come on at 210 degrees, but the thermostat was opened at 195 degrees.

You are also comparing temps at two different locations. The trans will be the same temp as the rad normally. Normally means that you are not running the torque convertor at stall speed (not locked up, but engine is running faster than the input shaft of transmission). Once the convertor is locked up, very little heat is generated by the trans. Your scangauge is reading the trans temp from the vehicles computer, the same thing that feeds the information to DIC and is exactly as accurate. My point was that there is no way 200 degrees is considerd high for a trans. If you can explain why that is, go for it.

1. No, I'm not confusing the fan switch and the thermostat. I just wasn't sure what the thermstat was set to open at.

2. I don't think 200 is too hot for a trans myself.

3. My point is that the trans and engine are not necessarily the same temperature when the radiator is the only trans cooler you have.

4. Is the DIC inaccurate? Why?

5. Of course I'm comparing temps at two different locations. One is the engine temp, one is the trans temp. They are definitely different locations.

Edited June 3, 2010 by Volucris

Willshire · June 3, 2010

I don't know about electric fan turn on temps but, tstat is 195, my trans temp after an hour of highway driving barely reaches 160 (plate cooler), never over 180. 200 is normal op temp for the trans, 260 is red zone. I could see, without a cooler the temp would be closer to the temp in the rad. (+/- 10 degrees)IMHO

96ahs · July 7, 2010

I have a 2000 2500 with the 4L80-E transmission, and I pull a 9200lb 5th and been doing so for 8 yrs (several trips of 500 miles) and have had zero problems. I always thought this tranny was bullet proof but after reading these post It seems not. I do take care of my truck and do all the proper maintenace. Maybe Im just lucky??

Tx sunshine · June 21, 2011

Ok, I'm a new member and I'm gonna' jump in here. I joined to find info on repairing the console lock on my 2001 Z-71 and ran across this trans post.

Long ago I learned it was bad to shift an automatic while still moving. But, certain, ahem...people...wouldn't listen.

I hate to tell you this guys but, if a man (such as the ex) ever shifts MY truck while it's still moving again....he pays for the next trans that has to be put in it! I regret ever letting him drive my baby.

And if he ever complains about repairs on MY truck again (such as the trans rebuild last summer) I'm gonna' do damage to his stupid F-150. Oh, never mind, he abuses the poor thing enough himself...It has all my sympathy.

wavery · June 21, 2011

I was talking to my local tranny shop about tranny temps when towing, noting that mine climbs to about 195-205 degrees when going up hill, and then leveling out about 186 during steady towing, and he told me that was acceptable. I then asked about synthetic oil in the tranny and would it help. He told me that he has not been sold on the synthetic oil as he has not seen enough evidence where it should be switched from dino oil. He also recommended a oil change yearly in the tranny if towing on a regular basis. I think that when I do take it in, I will most likely switch to Mobil syn oil in there. Any thoughts?

I couldn't disagree more with your tranny shop guy.

Petrol based ATF is an insulator and does not like to release heat. Synthetic oil releases heat at nearly the rate of water. The other advantage is that petrol based ATF will literally "burn"...... it's an organic material. Synthetic will not burn and won't break down until ~600* (long after the seals fail).

If you switch to synthetic, be sure to get all of the ATF out of the converter. There is an easy way to accomplish this. Most of the 4L60E trans hold about 9 qts (4 in the oil pan and 5 in the converter). Start out by buying 10-12 qts of synth ATF, a new filter and trans pan gskt. Pull the pan (clean it), replace the filter. Replace the pan and fill the pan until the dipstick says full (do not start engine). Remove the return cooler line from the radiator. Put a rubber hose on the line and run the hose into a clear container that has "1 qt" measured and marked on it. Start the engine and let it idle until 1 qt of ATF flows into the container (around 10 seconds). Shut-off the engine and add one qt of synthetic ATF to the trans. Dump the fluid from the clear container. Repeat this process until you see a change in the color of the fluid pouring into the container. This should take the remainder of your 10-qts. If you have an over-sized oil pan it may take more. You are better off buying more ATF than you need, you can always return what you don't use.

If your vehicle is just a daily driver, you should not have to worry about changing the ATF for another 100K miles. If you tow moderately, 60K miles. If you tow heavily, 40K miles. The bottom line is, synthetic will never burn but it can get contaminated by moving parts wear. The heavier that you tow (race or mountain drive), the more wear that you will experience.

Hope this helps.

This is my trans cooler set-up:

This is my engine and trans temps towing 4,000# in 90* temps.

Edited June 21, 2011 by wavery

07Sierra07 · July 4, 2011

I've got an 07 vmax with a ghost in my trans. occasionally when I launch hard the 1/2 shift hangs up, the speedo bails out, then I've got neutral until I come to a complete stop after that everything is back to normal .I've been trying to narrow down what triggers this 3rd or OD same result. If I leave it in 3rd when it bails and throttle up it will move at 5000rpm but still no speedo and lots of slippage no noticable change in trans temp.between 140-186. It happens anytime now and getting worse . Dealer says no codes "bring it back in a box" any suggestions?

smitty67, did you ever find the solution to your tranny problem?

I am having pretty much the exact same issue with my 07 vmax 6.0. The dealer can't reproduce the issue b/c it's so intermittant. It's been going on since end of Janurary...

Mike, do you have any ideas?

Here's my previous unsolved post of the same issue with the 4L70E in the Vmax 6.0l

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...26568&st=15

07Sierra07 · July 6, 2011

I've got an 07 vmax with a ghost in my trans. occasionally when I launch hard the 1/2 shift hangs up, the speedo bails out, then I've got neutral until I come to a complete stop after that everything is back to normal .I've been trying to narrow down what triggers this 3rd or OD same result. If I leave it in 3rd when it bails and throttle up it will move at 5000rpm but still no speedo and lots of slippage no noticable change in trans temp.between 140-186. It happens anytime now and getting worse . Dealer says no codes "bring it back in a box" any suggestions?

smitty67, did you ever find the solution to your tranny problem?

I am having pretty much the exact same issue with my 07 vmax 6.0. The dealer can't reproduce the issue b/c it's so intermittant. It's been going on since end of Janurary...

Mike, do you have any ideas?

Here's my previous unsolved post of the same issue with the 4L70E in the Vmax 6.0l

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...26568&st=15

Well, seems as though the issue is more common... here's another tread detailing the same issue and resolution: http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=130945

Topguncentury21 · January 8, 2014

Hi Mike,

thanks for the great post!

I have a problem with a 4L60E on a 2003 Yukon, SLT 4X4 5.3L with 120 000mi. A couple of weeks ago the truck would not engage 2nd gear, it would go into 1st fine, then rev like a cow and eventually find 3rd gear and OD. My mechanic didn't want to get into a big job like this so he referred me to a tranny specialist. When I brought it to him, he was pretty sure it was a check ball problem. Said the fluid didn't smell burned. Today he redid/fixed the check ball, which he says was jammed, then road tested to find the same thing; no 2nd gear. He mentionned worn bands. He said when it gets pressure it doesn't go into 2nd. He recommends rebuilding the whole thing ---> $1900.

Does this seem about right to you or not? Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of bread to throw around, so I'm hopeful of another solution.

Any insight you bring will be really well received & much appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Viper1ex19 · January 20, 2014

From what I've been told;

The 4L60E-4L65E- 4L70E are all the same housing. (pumps & input shafts vary per model year)

The 4L80E is a whole different animal (a lot longer & 180lbs heavier)

The 4L60E is made up of lighter/cheaper materials and has a 4 gear planetary like the 700R4.

The 4L65E & 4L70E have harder shafts and sunshell. They also have a 5 gear planetary.

I've had 4L60E Trans issues with 4 different GM Vehicles over the past 3 years ranging from 1997 to 2008.

Seems like they make it to about 125,000 miles and they fail.

All of the failures I experienced started as electrical issues in the valve body and "DID NOT" give a check engine light.

Most failures are preventable and caused by lack of service/maintenance.

If you're not familiar with the E-Series GM Transmissions,,, take it to a shop and let a pro do your maintenance, it will save you a lot of money in the long run.

There is also a few good videos on YouTube regarding these transmissions.

Good Luck

mike94silverado · January 20, 2014

Good info

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

avo · July 7, 2014

i have an envoy 2003 with a 6-cylinder engine and 4l60E trasmission, i rebuilt the transmission 4 months ago, after 2 months i had a problem with the generator(alternator) so i was obliged to jump the car for few times, after i repaired the generator, the car was in limph mode and the shift A solenoid was damaged. i repaired it. 1 month later the transmission pump was broken, i repaired it also. and now i have a delay during the shifts from 2nd to 3rd and a little of slipping, i replaced the solenoids after 15 minutes the solenoids are damaged again, and the problem has returned. someone has told me i need a new transmission. can anyone help me with this problem? is it an electrical problem? or it's the transmission? how i can solve it? it's been 4 months i have problem with this transmission.

William Warstrike · August 8, 2014

I have an 05 Yukon with the 4L60E that has recently started having issues in the 3-4 shift. All other shifts seem to be normal for now.

When it shifts from 3-4 it will engage, disengage, re-engage. I assume this is the TCC going in and out of lock-up??? Don't know for sure though. Anyway, it does this cycle fairly quickly at least twice before it settles into overdrive/high gear. This usually occurs around 45-50 mph under light to moderate throttle. Usually can be mimicked by starting onto an interstate where it has to go through all the gears under normal/light acceleration. Can see it do this by watching the RPM gauge fluctuate up and down as well as hear and feel it. Can usually get it to stop if I press further down on the accelerator but then it seems to lug in the high gear unless I press further then it will upshift and if I let off it may or may not do the same thing again depending on the speed. Hope that makes sense.

Another strange thing it will do is around 45 mph when it can't fully decide whether it wants to be in 3rd or 4th it will shift into third then klunk into lug in fourth. Usually occurs on back roads where the speeds are slower. Any ideas as to what is going on and how it can be fixed would be great.

Unit has 63K miles on it fluid looks and smells normal and the temperature is within normal limits. There are no service engine lights on and no codes that I'm aware of.

I've taken it to the GM dealer and they told me it was the normal function of the electronic throttle, but that sounds like B.S., plus it didn't do this when we got it 2 years ago up until a few months ago.

Is there anything I can do to get things going/point the dealer in the right direction to get it fixed? Last time they drove it they said they couldn't duplicate the problem and the electronic throttle B.S. It's under warranty until June and would like to get it taken care of before that runs out. Thanks for your help!

Hey everyone,

I am the third person having the exact same issue here. Comes out of overdrive unless I am at partial throttle. If I dont baby the trans it will shudder as well under too light acceleration. I drive in third gear most of the time now but its getting very noisey as the truck slows down. ratting sound before it comes to a stop.and clacking from trans when i shut the truck off. Also the random clacking at the stop light will come and go but seems to be getting louder, Superior shift repair kit and all three solenoids may possibly make it stop?.

gmtech4 · August 8, 2014

Hey everyone,

I am the third person having the exact same issue here. Comes out of overdrive unless I am at partial throttle. If I dont baby the trans it will shudder as well under too light acceleration. I drive in third gear most of the time now but its getting very noisey as the truck slows down. ratting sound before it comes to a stop.and clacking from trans when i shut the truck off. Also the random clacking at the stop light will come and go but seems to be getting louder, Superior shift repair kit and all three solenoids may possibly make it stop?.

no a rebuild will stop it

ziffel · October 12, 2014

I just bought an 09 Silverado WT 4WD 4.8 4L60E 3.42 gears 18" tires. 65000 miles. Nice truck. I bought it to replace an ageing 99 Silverado WT 4WD 4.8 4L60E 373 gears 16 tires and 265,000 miles. Still runs just great, but rusty and is in semi retirement. Only

has to plow my lot. I towed a small RV with the old one and found the Tow Haul a wonderful towing aid. The 09 is a disappointment because the Tow Haul simply doesn't work. It doesn't even unlock the convertor when I tap the brake pedal. It has been to the dealer 4 times and I am always told the test gauges say it is working as GM designed it. But when driven it simply doesn't work at all. Has GM "tuned" this feature down or changed it's usefulness? What can be done to make this work as my old 99? Thanks Arnie

[email protected]

hdubose · October 29, 2014

I have a 2008 crew cab 2wd silverado and it is doing the exact same thing,1ST AND 2ND WHINE, then normal just started about 2 weeks ago. I'm definetely out of warranty, about 86,000. Did Gm say I'm going to self destruct, it's a little spooky I don't want to be beside the road. I'm not sure what to do about it.