Question about possible 4L60E problem

[Jeff_in_Atl]

What is the first sign of 4L60E trouble? On a Ford C4, they would usually loose 2nd gear then shortly there after reverse until they got warmed up. Are there any signs that a 4L60E will give that it is on it's way out? This morning I went around a turn at about 15-20 I guess and when I got back on the gas, it revved up almost like it was in neutral for about 2-3 seconds before it went into second. It was probably trying to decide whether to go down to first or not. I was probably about half throttle. It just hadn't done that before. The car had been running for maybe 2 miles and the needle hadn't moved yet so it was pretty cold. 57 degrees this morning. I've always thought since I've had it (~30k miles) that the trans wasn't quite right. If you are going about 45 down a hill and pull it back to 3rd, it acts as if it is still trying to shift into 4th. It will drag for about 2 seconds then freewheel for about 2 seconds back and forth. It will do it in any gear. It still does it in 4th but it's barely noticeable.

[RangerBob]

Did you check the fluid level? Is it burnt?

[Jeff_in_Atl]

Did you check the fluid level? Is it burnt?

Yes I did and no it wasn't. Actually it surprised me that it was still that red wine color.

[fastTa]

What is the first sign of 4L60E trouble? On a Ford C4, they would usually loose 2nd gear then shortly there after reverse until they got warmed up. Are there any signs that a 4L60E will give that it is on it's way out? This morning I went around a turn at about 15-20 I guess and when I got back on the gas, it revved up almost like it was in neutral for about 2-3 seconds before it went into second. It was probably trying to decide whether to go down to first or not. I was probably about half throttle. It just hadn't done that before. The car had been running for maybe 2 miles and the needle hadn't moved yet so it was pretty cold. 57 degrees this morning. I've always thought since I've had it (~30k miles) that the trans wasn't quite right. If you are going about 45 down a hill and pull it back to 3rd, it acts as if it is still trying to shift into 4th. It will drag for about 2 seconds then freewheel for about 2 seconds back and forth. It will do it in any gear. It still does it in 4th but it's barely noticeable.

4L60E's are notorious for losing the 3-4 clutch. That could explain the symtoms you are experiencing when you downsfift. There have been quite afew posts from tranny builders that say that downshifting a stock 4L60E is very hard on it and should not be done. I think that is how I smoked my first one.

As far as turning the corner while accelerating, a unique thing can occur wher the transmission fluid can actually be forced to one side of the valvebody and/or pump and the "slipping" feeling you are experiencing will be a result. My TA did the same thing if I took a corner at about 25 MPH or faster and tried to accelerate.

[Jeff_in_Atl]

4L60E's are notorious for losing the 3-4 clutch. That could explain the symtoms you are experiencing when you downsfift. There have been quite afew posts from tranny builders that say that downshifting a stock 4L60E is very hard on it and should not be done. I think that is how I smoked my first one.

Guilty

As far as turning the corner while accelerating, a unique thing can occur wher the transmission fluid can actually be forced to one side of the valvebody and/or pump and the "slipping" feeling you are experiencing will be a result. My TA did the same thing if I took a corner at about 25 MPH or faster and tried to accelerate.

Sounds like a drawback of putting sway bars and SFC on it. It is a sharp corner. It's over 90 degrees. The car in front of me swung out wide so I cut it sharper so could pass the pokey puppy.