Tranny death Signs?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 29
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From: Lockport IL
Tranny death Signs?
Had a question for those that have burned their trannies...Any signs before its toasted besides getting hung up in gear? Was driving today and my overdrive or 3-4 gear felt like it was slipping..Felt like I was doing a double shift between 40-45 mph...Your thoughts would be appreciated..
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: Willow Springs IL
Re: Tranny death Signs? (CFast5)
It sounds like you have an A4 (automatic 4L60E)
Much of the time the 1-2 clutch packs wear out making it slip quite a bit. But that really has more to do with the specific wear points your driving puts the tranny through. Slippage is usually the first sign, although many people can dismiss it as some sort of unusual driving habit. Another catastrophe comes into play when the TC grenades and send lots of tiny filings throughout the tranny and that makes for some really mushy driving all around. If OD is going out this is what usually happens.
It's usually your best bet to get it analized by a good speed shop that knows these trannies well. Generic places may not know the 4L60E that well and dismiss the issue or try to steer you elsewhere for a TH400 swap!
Overall, get that thing looked at pronto! :eek:
[Modified by Mr Cowl Hood, 9:24 PM 4/23/2002]
Much of the time the 1-2 clutch packs wear out making it slip quite a bit. But that really has more to do with the specific wear points your driving puts the tranny through. Slippage is usually the first sign, although many people can dismiss it as some sort of unusual driving habit. Another catastrophe comes into play when the TC grenades and send lots of tiny filings throughout the tranny and that makes for some really mushy driving all around. If OD is going out this is what usually happens.
It's usually your best bet to get it analized by a good speed shop that knows these trannies well. Generic places may not know the 4L60E that well and dismiss the issue or try to steer you elsewhere for a TH400 swap!
Overall, get that thing looked at pronto! :eek:
[Modified by Mr Cowl Hood, 9:24 PM 4/23/2002]
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 58
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From: west palm beach fla
Re: Tranny death Signs? (CFast5)
that shift you are feeling might be lock up clutch going in and out ,try driving at the same speed on level road and see if you can get it to happen again if so lightly depress the brake enough to make brake lights come on without lifting off gas see if this cancells lockup and or is this what you are feeling if so so you might have a bad TPS switch or speed sensor might happen around 50,000 miles or so
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 29
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From: Lockport IL
Re: Tranny death Signs? (eastco)
I currently got 35000 miles on the car, 5000 with the mods...I see what you are saying with the lockup...Kinda feels that way..When I am driving approx 50+ mph I am in overdrive I assume and if I mash it, it kicks down fine, power is all there..I was feeling almost like third was banging into 4 really quick, in other words slipping from 3-4 in a short interval..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,294
Likes: 1
From: Coral Springs Florida
Re: Tranny death Signs? (CFast5)
FWIW.. The new member Eastco that responded to your post is the owner of www.eastcoasttransmissions.com and he KNOWS his stuff. I would certainly suggest you follow his process of elimination and go from there. He 's too much of a professional to start advertising here ...but I can assure you he 's here to help us all with our transmission issues...:D It's good to have a C5 trans tech here on the forum..:D
He's rebuilding my transmission now and I have evry confidence that the job will get done right!!:yesnod:
He's rebuilding my transmission now and I have evry confidence that the job will get done right!!:yesnod:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 802
Likes: 0
From: Glendora CA
Re: Tranny death Signs? (CFast5)
That's how mine started. A week later I had to rev it to 2500 rpm to get off the line. My 3/4 clutch packs were dead and the rest of the trans followed pretty quick. Of course I beat the heck out of mine even when the trans started slipping. I now have a stage IV being installed and get to pick her up early next week!
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: Willow Springs IL
Re: Tranny death Signs? (jeffh355)
Typically any changes in driveability make for a transmission going bad. If you didn't feel these anomolies before, something has changed. TCC lock up parameters don't just change on their own so you may very well have a problem. Jeff is on the right track.
Hey vstella, "he's too much of a professional to advertise here..." hehehe nicely done. I'll have to get a friend of mine to post my company for me. Good idea!
Hey vstella, "he's too much of a professional to advertise here..." hehehe nicely done. I'll have to get a friend of mine to post my company for me. Good idea!
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Elburn Illinois
Re: Tranny death Signs? (CFast5)
CFast5
I have smoked 2 - 4L60E transmissions and from what you are describing I would not plan any long trips. 3rd gear in the 4L60E is the weak point and the first to go. That "spinup" that you describe was what happened on both of my transmissions. It started as barly noticiable and ended with the car only having 1st gear. On my new setup I will be using a FLP prepared transmission and I have great expectations from all that I have heard about them. http://www.performancetrans.com/ you may want to give them a call.
Tom
I have smoked 2 - 4L60E transmissions and from what you are describing I would not plan any long trips. 3rd gear in the 4L60E is the weak point and the first to go. That "spinup" that you describe was what happened on both of my transmissions. It started as barly noticiable and ended with the car only having 1st gear. On my new setup I will be using a FLP prepared transmission and I have great expectations from all that I have heard about them. http://www.performancetrans.com/ you may want to give them a call.
Tom
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 1
From: Newland US
Re: Tranny death Signs? (CFast5)
CFast5,
Sometimes draining the ATF reveals a story about what is going on inside the tranny. Smell and color of the fluid may give some good clues.
I'm guessing the 3-4 clutch pack has gone south. But the TPS sensor as mentioned above or possibly the TC Lockup Solenoid is bad or has a bad connection.
Time to take it to a trusted transmission shop.
Good luck.
Mark
Sometimes draining the ATF reveals a story about what is going on inside the tranny. Smell and color of the fluid may give some good clues.
I'm guessing the 3-4 clutch pack has gone south. But the TPS sensor as mentioned above or possibly the TC Lockup Solenoid is bad or has a bad connection.
Time to take it to a trusted transmission shop.
Good luck.
Mark
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 29
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From: Lockport IL
Re: Tranny death Signs? (MDT)
I want to thank you all for your help!! Luckily my vette is not my daily driver and I will definately start with looking into the fluid and go from there..I have blown two trannies as well on my 97 TA, but got stuck in gear, 1st gear both times...Assuming 4L60 is not much better than previous 700Rcrap..GM that is :lol: definately will talk to FLP considering they are pretty much local to me..
Anyone got the Raptor?? Definately have to have a tranny to stand my major mods to come!!!
Anyone got the Raptor?? Definately have to have a tranny to stand my major mods to come!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,294
Likes: 1
From: Coral Springs Florida
Re: Tranny death Signs? (CFast5)
I just got my transmission back after the 2nd rebuild....Feels fine and strong.Steve wants to check the screen and valve body in a few days to see how it's holding up...should be fine:D
I can tell you that an oz. of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to a component that is inevitably going to crash..These transmissions are NOT made to beat up on a regular basis..They WILL break! If you have an opportunity to rebuild or strenthen the trans while it's running...DO IT!!
You don't want to have to call a tow truck in the event you get stuck in the middle of nowhere.... :yesnod:
I can tell you that an oz. of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to a component that is inevitably going to crash..These transmissions are NOT made to beat up on a regular basis..They WILL break! If you have an opportunity to rebuild or strenthen the trans while it's running...DO IT!!
You don't want to have to call a tow truck in the event you get stuck in the middle of nowhere.... :yesnod:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,294
Likes: 1
From: Coral Springs Florida
Re: Tranny death Signs? (CFast5)
The rebuild held up and performed very well but eventually failed due to a inexpensive part breakdown. The part has been replaced and I look forward to a trouble free transmission for a good while. In the end these are just machines...They breakdown even with proper maintenance.
