C5 Transmission Limp Mode HELP!!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
C5 Transmission Limp Mode HELP!!
Greetings guys. Drove my '98 C5 on a couple hour trip into the mountains. On the way back, the automatic transmission wouldn't shift into overdrive. Then as the torque converter heated up, the transmission started to slip. After that, the car wouldn't come out of second gear. I had it towed to the chevy dealer nearest to me, and they checked the transmission fluid. It was in fact 2 qts low, so they topped it off. Afterwards the car will still not get out of second gear, drives fine around the parking lot. No check engine lights are on. I disconnected the battery for approx 10 minutes and reconnected hoping that it would recycle and come out of limp mode....it did not. Spent 400.00 in tow bills just to bring it home. Now I am at a loss. Please Help Me!!!! What should I do next??
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
Not yet. Gonna have it scanned tomorrow morning. Hopefully will know more at that time. I was hoping it was just the fact that it was low on fluid and disconnecting the battery would clear the codes and do the trick, but not so much
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 537
Likes: 2
From: Whitesboro Texas
1. Turn your key to the "ON" position, but do not start the engine.
2. Clear any present messages by pressing the RESET button.
3. Hold the OPTIONS button down, and press the FUEL button 4 times. (This will get you into the "codes" section of the DIC.
4. The computer will automatically display all the codes your car has created. It will cycle through each code every 3 seconds. (Have a pen and paper handy to write down the codes)
2. Clear any present messages by pressing the RESET button.
3. Hold the OPTIONS button down, and press the FUEL button 4 times. (This will get you into the "codes" section of the DIC.
4. The computer will automatically display all the codes your car has created. It will cycle through each code every 3 seconds. (Have a pen and paper handy to write down the codes)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
Just as an FYI, the parts places that scan the car can only see the standardized emissions codes with their scanners. They CANNOT see the hundreds of vehicle specific codes that can get set. That is not just for the C5. It's any OBDII vehicle. The C5 has a built in scanner that can show all the C5 Corvette unique codes.
Last edited by scotish44; Apr 27, 2014 at 10:53 PM.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
Just as an FYI, the parts places that scan the car can only see the standardized emissions codes with their scanners. They CANNOT see the hundreds of vehicle specific codes that can get set. That is not just for the C5. It's any OBDII vehicle. The C5 has a built in scanner that can show all the C5 Corvette unique codes.
Your disconnecting the battery will have erased many potential codes. I suggest that you start and drive the car at least briefly and then pull the codes BEFORE you shut off the ignition. Codes that have returned are the ones that need attention. Post ALL your codes including the H or C or HC that follow each 5 character code.
Your disconnecting the battery will have erased many potential codes. I suggest that you start and drive the car at least briefly and then pull the codes BEFORE you shut off the ignition. Codes that have returned are the ones that need attention. Post ALL your codes including the H or C or HC that follow each 5 character code.
28-TCS C1255 H
40-BCM B2723 H
AO-LDCM 2244 H
99 HVAC B0361 H
AI-RDCM B2283 H
" " B2285 H
B2263 H
B2265 H
U1255 H
U1064 H
U1016 H
U1096 H
A6-SCM B0851 H
" " B0856 H
B2605 H
B2606 H
U1255 H
U1064 H
U 1016 H
Racer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 253
Likes: 3
Limp mode in a 4L60E is 3rd gear starts. Sounds like the 3-4 clutches are wasted. It's a common failure on 4L60Es. We've found 6 different "design flaws" in them that lead to repeated 3-4 failure (especially in performance cars). Fortunately, there are ways to fix them all.
Frank
Frank
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
I will assume that these are the codes that came up when you pulled the codes BEFORE you cleared them. Many are indicative of either a battery problem or are the result of your disconnecting and reconnecting the battery earlier. The inadvertant contact and loss of contact of the battery cables as you tighten the cables causes numerous codes that are basically meaningless.
Clear all codes again.
Then drive the car and when you return re-pull the codes BEFORE you turn off the ignition. Post back here which codes if any codes that you then have.
Clear all codes again.
Then drive the car and when you return re-pull the codes BEFORE you turn off the ignition. Post back here which codes if any codes that you then have.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 346
From: SC
I cleared the codes, then drove the car. Same thing: When it's time to shift out of second gear, the just makes a "slipping sound" where the rpm's rev but nothing happens. No codes came up after that, however. If the 3-4 clutches are wasted, what is the fix? Rebuild the tranny? I guess my next step is to sent to a transmission shop?? Sounds like this is going to be expensive.
Sounds like when my 3-4 clutches went. Time for a rebuild, unfortunately. And no, it ain't gonna be cheap...good luck. And I would find a good Vette shop, not just a "tranny" shop.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
Thanks everyone for all the great advice. It's going to get checked out so I'll keep you guys posted as to what the outcome is.... Stay tuned
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 67
From: Bahama North Carolina
Very important!You need an experienced shop (Corvette C5 experience) to remove and replace a trans in a C5 Vette.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,447
Likes: 409
From: Portland OR
Limp mode in a 4L60E is 3rd gear starts. Sounds like the 3-4 clutches are wasted. It's a common failure on 4L60Es. We've found 6 different "design flaws" in them that lead to repeated 3-4 failure (especially in performance cars). Fortunately, there are ways to fix them all.
Frank
Frank
The trans you guys built for me is still flawless after 150+ 1/4 mile runs and 10k miles.
Even managed a 10.99.
Ron
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,447
Likes: 409
From: Portland OR
With no speedo reading the trans has no clue what to do.
Since you had it out, and back in while doing the TT, perhaps you forgot to plug the speed sensor back in on the differential?
BTW, don’t reply to 7 year old posts, start your own.
Since you had it out, and back in while doing the TT, perhaps you forgot to plug the speed sensor back in on the differential?
BTW, don’t reply to 7 year old posts, start your own.
Last edited by RonSSNova; Sep 4, 2021 at 12:31 PM.