FYI 4L60E common problems / failures

Before guessing at transmission problems, check the fluid level (car warmed up,
engine running in Park on level ground) and have the PCM scanned for trouble codes
FIRST. This guide is meant for problems that do not show up as PCM codes (like shift
A&B solenoid failures, for example).

NOTE:The transmission is on the same fuse as the MAF, O2 sensors and at least one
other sensor - if an O2 shorts out, it will blow the fuse and the trans will go into limp-
home mode. Be sure the trans has power and the fuse is not blown before doing
anything else.

Also note that many problems that show up as transmission issues are actually PCM or
electrical, and may be external to the transmission. Try a different PCM, and check for
chafing where the cables come out of the PCM and touch the LF fenderwell.

ALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ON THE B/D-BODY 4L60E CAN BE FIXED WITHOUT
REMOVING THE TRANSMISSION.

Secondly, put a line pressure gauge ($55 shipped on Ebay, or visit a local trans shop)
on the pressure test port and go for a drive to verify proper line pressure. Base
pressure at idle in P,N,OD should be around 70psi and around 140psi in R. Max line
pressure should be at least 190psi at WOT in 1st or 2nd, 225psi is optimum. If base
pressure is low, trans or pump is worn out. If max pressure is low, check EPC solenoid.
If reverse is slow to engage, and line pressure does not come up to at least 130psi in
reverse, replace the boost valve with a Sonnax boost valve (easy fix in pan).

Beware of coolant contamination - coolant will cause clutchpacks to delaminate and
thus cost you a rebuild! Trans fluid eats radiator hoses! If you find any sign of cross
contamination, fix the problem and thoroughly flush both systems IMMEDIATELY.

What is "limp-home mode" ? That is the street slang term for a fault mode in which the
PCM cuts power to the transmission. The transmission will default to max line
pressure. The driver will have Reverse and 3rd, with manual 2nd available by putting
the gearshift in 2 or 1 (doesn't matter). 1st, 4th, and TCC lockup will not be available.
It will not hurt the car to drive it like this, but use manual 2nd to get the car moving,
and be aware that the trans will generate more heat than normal due to
increased torque converterslippage during 2nd gear starts and no lockup in 3rd gear.

R&R = Remove & Repair (or Rebuild) = Transmission must be removed to fix the
problem and may have to be rebuilt or replaced.

Common failures on 4L60E, symptom -> cause -> any possible repair:

1. Slow, slipping or no reverse: lo-reverse clutches are worn out, fluid leak in the
reverse apply circuit, or broken sunshell. It is possible to help a fluid problem by
removing the checkball from its cage in the case in the rear of the trans may help
(must remove valvebody), or adding a high-viscosity additive such as Lucas
Transmission additive or other seal restorer product. May also have
worn boost valve (can replace this by removing the pan).
2. 1-2 shift does not happen at WOT until you let off the gas: If you're lucky, it's a leak
in the 2nd gear apply circuit (servo assembly or 1-2 accumulator). Doublecheck by
using the pressure gauge and watch for a big drop when the PCM commands 2nd gear.
Worst case: poor line pressure rise (see below) and the transmission is worn out. This
is the most likely case.
3. 1-2 Shift shudder at WOT; delayed or abnormal 1-2 shift; There's a problem ONLY
on the 1-2 shift: 1-2 accumulator piston cracked or stuck cocked in the bore. Check
the yellow spring inside the accum housing for breakage. Also, if the accumulator
housing walls are scored, the housing must be replaced. Easy fix in the pan.
4. 1-2 shift is delayed and harsh, may not shift into OD: Check TPS for smooth and
linear electrical response over the entire range of motion. If not, replace.
5. Trans does not upshift out of first, speedometer reads zero at all times: VSS failure.
Easy fix on rear of transmission, but xmember must come out to access VSS.
6. No 3rd or 4th gear: 3-4 clutches are worn out. R&R. The car is safe to drive (in 2)
until you can get it fixed.
7. Sudden grinding noise with no prior warning primarily in 2nd gear, behavior in
reverse may be abnormal; sunshell is fractured. R&R. Try not to run or drive the car or
further damage could result.
8. 1st and 3rd only, no 2,4 or R; sunshell is fractured or splines are sheared off. R&R.
Try not to run or drive the car or further damage could result.
9. No 2nd or 4th gear. 2-4 band is slipping. Servo seals may be damaged (can be fixed
without removing trans. Otherwise, 2-4 band is worn out. R&R.
10. Trans shifts into gear harshly, car feels sluggish off the line, No 1st, 4th or TCC
lockup available, Manual 2nd, 3rd and Reverse are only available gears, CEL is on:
Transmision is either in limp-home mode or has lost electrical power. If there are lots
of error codes in the PCM, check the underhood fuse that powers the transmission, and
if it pops again, look for a short in that circuit like an O2 sensor harness touching
exhaust. This content created by Sherlock9c1 of the Impala SS forum. Otherwise,
check PCM codes for a particular fault in the transmission causing the PCM to put it in
limp-home mode.
11. No 1st or 4th available; trans shifts 2nd to 3rd by itself in D or OD and locks the
converter : ShiftA solenoid failed. Easy fix in the pan. Or a wiring problem from PCM to
trans.. or PCM.
12. Car goes into gear but feels very sluggish like the brakes are dragging, but it will
roll easily (starts out in 4th gear), you manually shift to 2 to get it moving, once it's
moving you put it back in OD and the car shifts 3rd to 4th on its own and locks the
converter at the appropriate time: ShiftB solenoid failed: Easy fix in the pan. Or a
wiring problem from PCM to trans.. or PCM.
13. No TCC lockup: Brake pedal switches improperly adjusted (always on), TCC
solenoid failed (easy fix in the pan), TCC clutch worn out (must remove trans and
replace TC).
14. TCC always locked: TCC apply solenoid circuit shorted to ground, TCC solenoid
blockage (easy fix in pan), or TC broken (must remove trans and replace TC).
15. Horrible noise in 4th and feels like the brakes are on: overrun clutches are
applying due to a cracked or leaking forward piston. Overrun clutches will be worn out
after 30 seconds of this behavior. Car can be safely driven in D. R&R.
16. Soft shifting, gradual performance degradation: Poor line pressure rise due to
leaking boost valve, clogged EPC filter screen, failing EPC solenoid, or worst case:
leaky seals throughout. Transgo HD2-C kit fixes first two without removing trans. Seal
restorer may fix last problem, but probably R&R. Also try a transmission flush with BG
brand products (Firestone stocks it).
17. No forward movement in OD or D, but L2, L1 and R work: Forward sprag is broken.
R&R. Try not to run or drive the car or further damage could result.
18. Extremely harsh shifts from P or N, normal shifts at WOT: EPC (Electronic Pressure
Control) solenoid failed. Easy fix in pan. Fix as soon as possible or hard parts will
eventually break.
19. Loud bang, grinding sound, loss of all gears, and a binding driveshaft: snapped
output shaft. Try to wiggle driveshaft - if more than 0.020" play, that's the sign. R&R.
20. Trans seems noisy when moving in 1st and Reverse, noise goes away instantly if
you shift to N or the trans goes into 3rd gear: Reaction planetary is worn out due to
high miles or insufficient lubrication. Not a critical failure, but not a good sign either.
R&R sooner rather than later. The content of this webpage was created by Sherlock9c1
and originally posted on the ImpalaSSforum.com.
21. No movement in any gear: pump failure, or total loss of fluid. R&R, or refill pan
and find the leak. If out of fluid, avoid running the engine until the trans is refilled to
avoid pump damage. To check for pump failure, check fluid level with the engine off,
then start the engine and recheck fluid level. If level does not go down when engine is
running, the pump is broken.
22. Transmission does not shift automatically, only manually. Swap in a known-good
PCM, check wiring, check other sensors such as VSS and TPS.
23. 3rd gear starts, can manually shift through all gears. When car has been turned off
for a bit, then back on it will run normally.: VSS dropoff w/ Hi-stall converter. The
rpms are too high, but VSS is showing no movement. Happens after a tire burning
take-off. Doesn't store a code, will not throw a CEL (I've heard that it will store a code
if it happens 3 or more times). Cure: Reprogram PCM for VSS dropoff -- PCMforLess
knows about it.
24. Fluid leak out of the front of trans where the converter connects; partial or full loss
of movement: Front pump bushing walked out. R&R. May have to replace converter
also if hub is scored. Note that a leaking front seal usually means the bushing is
walking out (i.e. call your local trans shop and schedule an appt.). check.
25. Torque converter shudder in 4th while lockup is engaged; problem goes away
when the brake pedal is pressed slightly to unlock converter. Have a shop verify line
pressure, and provided no valves in the TCC hydraulic circuit are worn, replace
the torque converter. Also, Lubegard Shudder Fix will at least fix this for awhile.
26. Shift suddenly become very hard. When going from park to either reverse or drive
it slams into gear. 1-2 and 2-3 shifts are also harsh. All gears seems to work. Problem
may be intermittent: Check TPS for smooth electrical response. If the response is
jumpy or erratic at all, replace TPS.
27. All fluid pumped out through the vent tube: Plugged cooler line. Flush
the transmission cooler and cooler lines. Also could be overfiled transmission.
28. Car acts like it's in OD in neutral, car is locked stationary in R, engine feels loaded
in P, all four forward positions work fine: R&R: Internal crossleak feeding the forward
clutches all the time. Most likely a cracked input housing, or cracked forward piston
means forward clutches are fused together. Car can safely be driven gently in forward
gears until the repair.
29. Needle bearings in the pan, first gear and/or reverse may be noisy: Either a
torrington bearing or a planetary bearing is on its way out. Trans will eventually die a
loud, catastrophic death. Cheaper to rebuild now (saves further damage to hard parts),
but requires R&R. It is drivable until it breaks.
30. 1-2 or 2-3 shift is slow/soft above part throttle: Trans is on its way out. R&R.
31. Funky rattling noise and shudder when the TCC is locked. Could be hairline cracks
on the torque converter's pump drive hub. You would have to remove the converter to
see this damage. See here. The fix is to replace the converter.