4L60E major shifting problems!

[slowbreathin96LT1]

I have a 96 T/A thats haveing some major tranny issues. It will shift pretty fine through first and second but when it tries to go into 3rd it seems like it goes into neutral. The tranny was rebuilt before I got the car but I dont know when. I have had the car for almost a year. When I check the fluid level it smells like it is burning something but there is enough fluid in there. What could be the problem???? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

[LS13RDGEN]

Sounds like your 3-4 clutch pack in the tranny is toast. Time for a rebuild.
Feel free to click on a sponsor here on this board, or shoot me a pm. :D

[Shon Herron]

agree.

[Black93Z]

agreed again, X3

[loudmouthzls1]

or time for an uprgade hehe

[texxracer22]

I have a 94 with the same tranny and exact sames issue. I have had it restacked, valve body replaced, computer tested and still no go. I have posted several times on here and tried them all. NO OFFENCE INTENDED. I get great info. here, just seems to be a common problem that know one seems to be able to pin yet. PLEASE keep my email and if you get it working let me know what you did.....

[RickAnthony]

Yep most common issue.. the 4L60E sucks...
-=Rick

[josh99ta]

Sounds like your 3-4 clutch pack in the tranny is toast. Time for a rebuild.
Feel free to click on a sponsor here on this board, or shoot me a pm. :D

Been there, done that. Same exact symptoms. Trans is toast. Time for a rebuild or a new trans.

[LS13RDGEN]

I have a 94 with the same tranny and exact sames issue. I have had it restacked, valve body replaced, computer tested and still no go. I have posted several times on here and tried them all. NO OFFENCE INTENDED. I get great info. here, just seems to be a common problem that know one seems to be able to pin yet. PLEASE keep my email and if you get it working let me know what you did.....

Texxracer22 From what I remember from reading your post about your problem, was that you never mentioned if your tranny fluid looked and smelled burnt. His does, that is why most of us think it is his 3-4 clutch pack.
No offense intended but your symptoms are different. From what had described in your post, I would still question the rebuild. It is common for a rebuilt transmission to break a seal when being put back together (believe me I know). A broken or misaligned seal can can cause low pressure and shifiting problems. ;)
If you were local to me, I would love to take it apart for you and check all of the inards for ya. :D

[Rock-On]

I don?t think his problem is a cut seal?a cut seal will generally show up a lot sooner than a year?However it is a common problem. We see more often than not; problems with line rise, these transmissions rely on 8-11 external (external to the transmission) controllers to create line rise. They are the TPS, VSS, TFT, MAP sensor, Engine speed sensor, TCC brake switch , cruise control information, to mention a few. All of these components, along with the PCM and all the associated wiring must work together, in any kind of weather or operating condition to provide the transmission with the proper line rise. Improper/lethargic line rise due to an electrical glitch will cause low or slow rising line pressure. In other words when you need it the most (line rise) you?ll get it the least. You can have this tested at a competent transmission shop?. do it before the next rebuild, or have a vacuum modulator installed on the next build and eliminate these electrical glitches??. As these cars age, we will continue to see electrical problems. I hope this helps?..Dave

[LS13RDGEN]

Dave, that is excellent info!!! Thanks!!

[Shon Herron]

Dave, got a question for ya since you build these all the time.

Do you give any recommendations to the buyer that is getting a trans on how the tune/PCM trans tables should be altered?

I am guessing if the customer goes with the Vac Mod then there is not trans table adjustments needed but this question has always bothered me and I have yet to hear from a builder their recommendations on the trans tables. It's like they dont know there are any in the PCM.

[Rock-On]

Wow!! Been thinking about this all day… We do not recommend tune information for the transmission tables. Do we become involved when we have one that won’t shift? Yes! It’s really simple. We build a transmission to shift on command, the Transmission is a slave to the pcm, there are so many combos out there it would be impossible to recommend a tune. We know the transmission is capable of a shift, at most given speeds and rpms. We also know what the hp limitation of a clutch pac is. At times we’ll recommend that you go back and start with a stock tune it’ll help sort out transmission problems verse PCM/Tune problems?

Off the top we’d say to let it shift as fast as possible with as much pressure as possible. Anything you can do to speed up the shift, or create more pressure while shifting is fine with me. It will reduce friction and lessen the heat build up inside the transmission it’ll allow the clutches to live longer.

When we dyno these units we spend a lot of time on the shift quality and speed.
You see it all the time won’t shift on 2-3 hits rev limiter, what we have to find out is weather or not it’s a slip or a miss shift A long engaging shift is normally a slipping clutch, a short shift into the limiter is a timing issue or tuning problem. These guys who say its neutral is normally a tuning issue, unless of coarse the clutch is totally gone.

You are right about one thing transmission builders for the most part have no idea what the tables are or entail, They are use to the daily drivers the mom’s and the pops of the world. This is part of the problem with these transmissions, your run of the mill neighborhood tranny builders lack the understanding to properly build these units. Our scanners and diagnostic tools just don’t allow for these tables to be entered.

The reason (partly) we use the Vac mod is to eliminate these tuning issues; a poorly tuned car will burn up a transmission in no time at all. How many times have you seen this on the boards…I put my built (w/o vacuum modulation) transmission in and it only lasted 3,000 miles my stocker went 80,000? The truth of the matter is it’s in his tune or fail able electronics on the car. But the customer only knows his high dollar unit is burned up and guess who he’s mad at…Yep you guessed it….Me! This saves a lot of problems, not to mention is faster, more dependable, builds pressure faster, max pressure can be commanded at any time, and can have more consistent pressure to mention a few.

It’s getting late.. I hope this helps…. I’m sorry it’s so long…. but it truly was an excellent question.. I hope I’ve answered it…Dave

[Shon Herron]

Wow!! Been thinking about this all day…It’s getting late.. I hope this helps…. I’m sorry it’s so long…. but it truly was an excellent question.. I hope I’ve answered it…Dave

Thanks Dave!!! That is the most thought out response (not what I quoted but your whole response, didnt think I needed to quote the whole response) I have gotten from any transmission guy on any board or mailing list I have been on in 10 years. It does raise more questions but I will wait. I do appreciate it, I can not tell you how much that impresses me.

BUT, I am still leary of the A4, I am in debate of going with a TH350 or A4 set up. I can get the A3 set up in the car for what the rebuild of an A4 will cost me and then I got to still buy the A4 TC.

[LS13RDGEN]

Dave that was by far one of the best responses I have ever read reguarding transmissions.
I knew that the vacuum modulator for the 4L60E was a good thing, but didn't fully understand the why.
I am definitely recommending that for the rest of the high HP transmissions I do in the future for sure!
Thanks again!!!!!
:D

[Rick186]

Hey, Guys, I think I need your help.
I sold my beloved Dodge B250 Van/Wagon to a buddy's father a while back thinking I didn't need "towing power" but wifey got the hots for a PopUp RV.
So I snuck around eBay for a while and found a 95 Cadillac w/the LT-1, no rust, CarFaxed, inspected ($99.00) and shipped to my driveway.
She's got 93k miles, had the tranny flushed after seeing a slight brown tint (it's clear now) but the 4th gear does what my old (1979) Cordoba did before I sold it, that is, got "nervous" between lock-up and direct between 47 and 55 mph.
The Cadillac does something similar, but only occasionally. Above 75, it's as smooth as oil poured over my shaved head - from floored kickdown to easeoff.
Is the 4L60E ready to crap out?
Should I order a decent replacement from some of the outfits I see on this site or advertized on the web who promise beefed up trans units?
I don't want to haul something and end up stranded.
Thanks.
Rick186

[LS13RDGEN]

If you plan on towing, I would strongly recommend getting that transmission rebuilt with good quality stuff or purchase one from one of the many sponsors we have here.
Also, no matter what you decide to do, get a tranny cooler! :D

[Rick186]

Thanks. That's what I was a'feerd of!

The Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham came with a good size trans cooler in front of the radiator, anyway, so that part of the problem is solved, anyway, and as far as "hard shifting" is concerned, that's for people who have stupidity in their butts and can't sense when a car is about to shift and won't let off the gas for the next shift.

I had a 67 Mopar with a wicked 383 that would squall in all its Torqueflite gears unless you backed off. But I could make it feel like the old Buick Dynaflows by simply letting off the gas when I heard those duals give a sound that told me she was going to bite.

Thanks again and I'll be hunting the shops advertising on this site.

Rick186

[twentyoneforever]

Hi

I just went to have some tranny troubles on my 1991 caprice. In fact, it's the classic 4L60 trouble: the tranny wouldn't increase gears above the 2nd.

First and second gears are going well but when the tranny try to shift to third gear, engine speed is increasing same that in neutral.

The touble happens sudently, then i can't believe to a worn clutch.

I heard that it could be a worn torque converter control valve which prevents fluid pressure to engage the 3-4th gears clutches.

What have i to do??

Do i buy a new tranny or buy a rebuilding kit??

[LS13RDGEN]

If the fluid is dark in color and smells burnt, then the 3-4 clutch pack is probably toast.
I would recommend any of the sponsors on this site for a new transmission. They can help you with what you need for sure.

If you just want to rebuild it and not spend a lot of money, then feel free to shoot me a pm.