4L60E Woes
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 259
Likes: 38
From: Volcano CA
4L60E Woes
Bummer! Had a buyer for my '96 LT1 A4. Though high miles (130k), it's super clean, garaged, well-maintained and babied. We agreed on a fair price and on my way to get it smogged, I felt the converter unlock, the CEL popped on and hard shifts in first and second. My 97' Silverado does the exact same thing but I live with it since I rarely use OD.
The dreaded code P1870 popped up on my scanner. I've read all over the internet that this is a common issue with the 4L60E.
Anyway, buyer went away....and now I have to fix it. I've read about the little TCC valve is usually the cause but some say to replace the entire valve body.
Anyone else who's dealt with this, please speak up on your experience. I'm needing some guidance here before blindly taking it to the shop.
Thanks in advance.
The dreaded code P1870 popped up on my scanner. I've read all over the internet that this is a common issue with the 4L60E.
Anyway, buyer went away....and now I have to fix it. I've read about the little TCC valve is usually the cause but some say to replace the entire valve body.
Anyone else who's dealt with this, please speak up on your experience. I'm needing some guidance here before blindly taking it to the shop.
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by 2LZ; Aug 12, 2019 at 05:56 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 128
Likes: 13
From memory:
TCC valve failure? See it explained here:
1) The cheap repair eliminates the gradual application of the lock up clutch with a stronger spring, makes engagement immediate.
2) The more deluxe Sonnex repair kit is a few hundred dollars , and replaces the function the better way.
3) Replacing the whole valve body with a new one is too rich for me.
Should be able to leave the tranny in the car for all of these fixes, which makes it nicer.
Downside of all this is your 3-4 clutch seals are probably ready to fail also. Good times.....
Hope this video helps.
TCC valve failure? See it explained here:
1) The cheap repair eliminates the gradual application of the lock up clutch with a stronger spring, makes engagement immediate.
2) The more deluxe Sonnex repair kit is a few hundred dollars , and replaces the function the better way.
3) Replacing the whole valve body with a new one is too rich for me.
Should be able to leave the tranny in the car for all of these fixes, which makes it nicer.
Downside of all this is your 3-4 clutch seals are probably ready to fail also. Good times.....
Hope this video helps.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 259
Likes: 38
From: Volcano CA
Thanks for the responses guys. I called our local (I'm very rural) tranny guy and he said he fixes them all the time. Could be a few things but he's banking on the TCC valve. $450.00 in and out. He'll put in the new bore kit for that, not just the spring fix. I can't complain. Buyer is waiting. I told him I'd bring in my Z71 next. As tranny's go, seems like a cheap fix to me.
