First post!
I've been using these forums for years and finally made an account to contribute a little.

My problem is I have an 02 vert with a dead a4l60e and I'm on the fence with what to do.

I'm certain I can tear the old transmission out and install another but I currently don't have the money for an rpm or to go fancy.

I found a transmission on ebay but it's for a 99 and I just want to make sure transmissions are interchangeable by year as long as I get one from a donor C5.

The other option is I learn how to rebuild my transmission. This isn't my only car so I can take my time and if someone could point me to a decent kit and a video I'm pretty interested in learning!

Thank you so much in advance!

 

What is your definition of dead, have you performed any troubleshooting? The service manual has trouble shooting and repair procedures, this would be a good place to start. The 4L60e transmission is ubiquitous and is used across many GM products. If you do not feed comfortable in overhauling it, remove it and take it to a local shop for an overhaul. Some high volume shops have rebuilt units on the shelf ready for install. The potential issue with you performing the installation is that the shop may not warranty the transmission if they do not install it themselves. Lastly, I would not buy a used transmission from eBay.

 

I could smell burning and lost 4th, then 3rd gear in the Appalachians. It would rev and pull a little but I didn't want to damage it any further. Cycled through temps on the dash and it was hot... 260F hot. No CEL in sight. I had it towed to a transmission shop who after a month told me he'd "never seen anything like this before". (The transmission in the back). I'm not sure what he did up there but he didn't know what was going on. I basically told him he was done and ordered a transport. I feel a little burned and just want to do it myself. My car comes home Monday and I'll drive it up the road to see what I have but from what I remember feeling it's probably going to be a rebuild. I'm pretty comfortable wrenching I've just not done a transmission before. I know what to do as far as dropping the rear end of the driveshaft off and dropping the rear cradle. Ive just never opened up an a4l60e before. I love learning new things and this is my project anyway If you have any recommendations on a good place to buy parts and overhaul reference I'd really appreciate it 😊. After reading a bunch I kind of agree with the ebay purchase and want to keep this transmission if possible.

 

If you are going to do it yourself, get the 460le overhaul and repair manual. TRANSGO, makes rebuild kits for many automatic transmissions including the 460le.

 

I am a mechanic, Mechanical Engineer, have all the service manuals in every format, a fully outfitted garage with a lift......and I still have no desire to rebuild transmissions. Can I figure it out? ...of course, but I lack experience and proficiency. The outcome of one step not being done correctly means everything comes apart again. No thanks.

Since this isn't your only car, you have time to wait. Save your money and purchase a transmission from a reputable shop. The transmission is only part of the expense in this endeavor: fluids (trans and differential), torque tube couplers, bearings, and any thing else you find along the way.

 

Sounds like the 3, 4, clutchpack went out, I have have that happen to me on my old silverado, it is very common with this transmission, if 1st and second gear work shifting it manually then it sounds like the 3, 4, clutch pack...

 

If 3 & 4 fail, can you still drive the car to a repair shop or do you need a flatbed?

 

as long as 1st and 2nd gear still work in manual mode, I had to drive mine about 50 miles like that, put it 1st and drive it then shift to 2nd, if 2nd gear sticks and doesn't slip, then yes , and it would sound like that's what's wrong with your car, if 1st and 2nd gear slip too then no...if it works and doesn't slip just take your time...

 

When I did my C5 12 years ago, I bought a used C5 trans and sent it to Performabuilt for upgrade to their level 2 unit. Cost was $1750. I bought the trans for $300.
Still flawless to this day after hundreds of dragstrip passes.

But yes, all the years are interchangeable. The later ones, say 03-04 will have gm updates that the earlier ones didn’t get.

 

No reason you shouldn't get a reply from left field, so here it comes! Think about replacing the automatic with a manual. My 4L60E gave up the ghost just after I bought my 2003 C5. I couldn't find any forum posts on switching to manual, (too hard they said) so I got the automatic rebuilt. Now I know that for a little more money I could have gotten a 6 speed. This may be totally wrong for you and your plans, but it only took a minute to read this post.
Good Luck!

By the way, I got my trans reprogrammed to shift a little higher and a little faster, and that really did wonders for my mental health!

 

There is no reason you can't rebuild an automatic transmission yourself. I did a rebuild on my 2003 Acura TL in my backyard and basement. I got the ATRA (Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association) manual for the transmission and Cardone rebuild kit from RockAuto. Pulled the trans, dragged it across the yard and down the cellar steps. Broke it down to sub systems on the cellar floor and rebuilt them on the workbench. Put them all together on the workbench, slid the assembly to the floor and buggie-lugged it up the cellar steps, over to the car and put it back in. With the ATRA manual a cave man could rebuild a transmission. Take your time, match the drawings to the real thing, match the parts in the kit to their originals, keep everything clean using brake cleaner and freezer bags. You will find out what happened and you'll have the parts to fix it.

Have you ever met Einstein working in a transmission shop?