It's finally happening

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
12/11/2014 at 21:32 • Filed to: None

I think my 4L60E is finally starting to die.

I noticed lately it's been shifting really hard (like being lightly rear-ended hard) and hunting for gears like mad. I'm pretty sure overdrive isn't engaging either, since my RPMs at highway speed are a lot higher than usual (mind you, I'm going off engine sound since I don't have a tach.) Then yesterday it started whining. I'm not sure what all actually signifies a transmission failing, but mine doesn't feel normal .

I'm wondering if it'll make it through winter. And I'm scared to tell my dad because he'll accuse me of purposely damaging it, which for once isn't the case. I'm about to roll over 148k on the original transmission, that's like a miracle for a GM 4-speed.

DISCUSSION (35)

Effef > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
12/11/2014 at 21:33

Make sure its got enough fluid in it

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Effef
12/11/2014 at 21:36

I filled it not too long ago. And I haven't noticed any leaks or puddles of anything on the ground where I park.

LappingLuke > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
12/11/2014 at 21:37

Another vote to double check fluid. Probably overdue for a change.

 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
12/11/2014 at 21:37

If your dad accuses you of damaging it just tell him it's a GM. It damages itself.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
12/11/2014 at 21:38

My 4T65e is doing similar things. No noises, but lots of hunting for gear and slipping and nonsense.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? >
12/11/2014 at 21:40

I don't think that'll fly. He's only a few thousand miles behind me in his truck that has the same transmission and still works like new.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
12/11/2014 at 21:42

Hooray old GM transmissions!

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
12/11/2014 at 21:43

Whining you say? Power steering pump is what usually whines. Or are u just pulling our legs cause you really dropped a roots blower 0n it

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
12/11/2014 at 21:45

I though transmissions whined when they started dying? The noise only happens when I accelerate. I thought maybe it was the power steering too.

BrownMiataDieselWagon > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
12/11/2014 at 21:46

So, what's the next car, Blazer, TrailBlazer, Tahoe, or Suburban? ;)

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > BrownMiataDieselWagon
12/11/2014 at 21:49

Well if I had my way:

Kinja'd!!!

But, it'll probably be an Impala or Blazer or something.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
12/11/2014 at 21:51

Ah. If its only acceleration then it is the tranny.

Steve in Manhattan > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
12/11/2014 at 22:07

Arguments for dad: 1) it's nearly 25 fucking years old; 2) it hasn't got a lot of airbags, safety equipment, FWD, shit a modern minivan should have; 3) IT'S NEARLY 25 FUCKING YEARS OLD! Let it go. Get something with side-impact airbags. Something from this century. Please. Save yourself.

Racescort666 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
12/11/2014 at 22:10

A few people have mentioned fluid changes and that's something easy that can fix a lot of problems.

The 4L60E transmission is pretty simple when it comes down to it. The ones that I have seen go usually start to slip when power is applied. It could be the torque converter going of it feels like it won't hold OD. They are supposed to lockup under highway loading and there's a big clutch in the torque converter that locks the trans to the engine. Computer controlled, obviously. Looking back, when you say "shifting hard" do you mean slamming into gear or not going into gear? You could have a sensor issue with it too.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Steve in Manhattan
12/11/2014 at 22:11

It has one air bag, and I don't know if it actually functions. I'm not complaining about it being RWD though.

These are things I've brought up with no luck. From the way my mom was talking yesterday when I told her about my trans slipping, something is going to happen about my car situation after the new year.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Racescort666
12/11/2014 at 22:15

Sometimes OD does engage and there's a very audible thud that occurs with it along with the same hard shift. If that means anything.

Well, it depends some gears it seems like there isn't a notable switch, more of a slur from one to the other, then other gears it slams hard into the next gear, most prominent when downshifting under heavy acceleration.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
12/11/2014 at 22:25

Really? That is one more than me.

Steve in Manhattan > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
12/11/2014 at 22:37

My sister got my eldest niece an A4 - cheap, but lots of airbags. The nephew has a big, safe Chrysler. The younger niece drives dad's Dakota Crew Cab - 4x4 and lots of safety features. I am nearly old enough to be a grandparent, and I just want kids to be safe. Hell - an old V70 with airbags would be totally Jalop. SAFE.

shop-teacher > Racescort666
12/11/2014 at 22:40

I was wondering about the torque converter too, but I don't think it would be slamming into gear.

ComradeApexx > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
12/11/2014 at 23:08

Look for a 4L80E or just get rid of it. I come across your posts often and dude, you deserve a new ride.

My suggestion? Get a Roadmaster Estate and drop an LQ4/LQ9 in it, sell the LT1, it'll drop right in with some adjustments (Oil pan, accessory drive, heads, wiring and some other things I'm sure I'm missing). I always wanted to do this swap +some giggle gas for the lulz but I don't have the tools, the space, the knowledge or friends that are as interested in cars as I am haha.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
12/11/2014 at 23:43

YAS logan, the van man will soon be touching the sky with joy! :D

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
12/11/2014 at 23:45

SHHH, don't jinx it! It'll start acting normal again!

(Dude I don't even care if it strands me on the highway, if the trans dies I'll be celebrating)

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
12/11/2014 at 23:52

lol, perfect! :D

HammerheadFistpunch > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
12/12/2014 at 00:09

have you checked it again? Auto trans have lots of little nooks and crannies to fill and so the procedure is to fill, check, fill, check until it stops taking more fluid.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > HammerheadFistpunch
12/12/2014 at 00:11

Well it took my dad half an hour to do it, so I'd assume yes.

HammerheadFistpunch > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
12/12/2014 at 00:11

no no no, don't assume. Also, you DRIVE it between checking. Make sure you check it again.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > HammerheadFistpunch
12/12/2014 at 00:15

I'm really not sweating it considering this is a good thing in my eyes that it's dying.

theandysho - drives a SHO > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
12/12/2014 at 07:40

Break out your Marvel Mystery Oil. Either it'll solve all your problems or roach the trans in an afternoon. Friend did it to a 525i, and the transmission was like new for four months, then it locked solid in drive and insta-killed the car.

Racescort666 > shop-teacher
12/12/2014 at 09:20

It could be rough lockup too. The newer ones have a pulse lockup that's supposed to be way smoother than the older designs. I've driven trucks that have had the parameters screwed up and it definitely feels like it's searching for gears if it constantly goes in and out of lockup.

shop-teacher > Racescort666
12/12/2014 at 09:35

Gotcha! Good to know. My truck has a 4L65E, has 100k miles on it, and I tow a 5,000 pound trailer with it. I change that fluid religiously. Luckily, I've got a good trans guy, when it does go south.

Racescort666 > shop-teacher
12/12/2014 at 10:16

Heat is the thing that kills automatic transmissions. It's good that you change the fluid regularly, excess heat will start to break down the fluid among other bad things. If you do a lot of towing and are worried about it, it might be worth installing a trans temp gauge so that you can keep an eye on your temperatures. I'd have to look into what temps they can handle but if you use it a while, it should give you an idea of what's normal for temperature.

shop-teacher > Racescort666
12/12/2014 at 10:31

I don't tow often enough to make me worry about it too much. I know one of these days I'll have to get the trans rebuilt, and I can stomach that. If I was going to tow to a mountainous area, then I'd probably pull the trigger and install a temp gauge. The flat lands of the midwest, are pretty easy to deal with.

Racescort666 > shop-teacher
12/12/2014 at 11:01

Plus, a rebuild is a perfect time to upgrade. :-)

shop-teacher > Racescort666
12/12/2014 at 11:20

Precisely my plan! I'm going to drive it as-is, until it starts slipping. Then I'll bring it to my guy, and have him do what he does best.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
12/12/2014 at 13:05

The 4l60e is any 4-speed auto RWD GM products Achilles Heel—attack it.