Automatic Transmission 2-Speed thru 10-Speed GM Autos | Converters | Shift Kits
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

P1870 help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 6, 2009 | 07:33 AM
  #1  
predator427's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Exclamation P1870 help

my 99 camaro 3.8 auto 4l60e trany started shifting very hard from first to second. And tcc was locking and unlocking constantly.Scaned and got code P1870 any help on what I need to fix this or is trany toast?
Reply
Old May 6, 2009 | 08:55 AM
  #2  
mike13's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (27)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,229
Likes: 0
From: Lake Tapps, WA
Default

I'm not a trans expert but when you set the P1870 you will get hard shifts. I've had a couple of cars that set P1870. GM has a service bulletin and the fix was to replace the valvebody because of a worn check ball seat.

I don't know if that's your problem just saying there's hope that your trans can be fixed without a complet rebuild.
Reply
Old May 6, 2009 | 09:03 AM
  #3  
JUNK's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Westbank of N.O.
Default

U can pull the valve body and look for a check ball stuck into the metal separator plate. Would be a good time to install the trans-go kit and a new trans-go plate.
Reply
Old May 6, 2009 | 02:36 PM
  #4  
ArkBird96's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Ricerville
Default

ARGH! The dreaded P1870 code!

My old 1996 Firebird 3.8 did this several times. At first, when it would happen, I would just clear the code with the scan tool and it would go away for a good while. Then, it got worse and started throwing the code every drive. I finally took it in to one transmission shop, and they said the tranny needed to be rebuilt. Then, I heard of some kit that Sonnax makes (I think). I don't know what it is, but another transmission shop put it in and it fixed the problem for good.

I think all that kit does is modify the valve body and eliminate PWM for good, but I'm not sure. Hopefully this helps some.
Reply
Old May 6, 2009 | 04:12 PM
  #5  
JUNK's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Westbank of N.O.
Default

What sonnax makes is a new L/U valve and a reamer to repair a worn bore in the valve body. The valve is cheap but the reamer runs about 100.00
Reply
Old May 6, 2009 | 04:46 PM
  #6  
predator427's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Default

anyone know where I can get a sonnax kit and what all do I need.
I also see that trans-go has a kit, any good?
Reply
Old May 6, 2009 | 07:50 PM
  #7  
performabuilt's Avatar
LS1Tech Sponsor
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,854
Likes: 80
From: BLOOMSBURG PA
Default

The transgo is fine however neither is a guarantee of a fix. If the car is high milage or if its been run like this a while the converter clutch may also be damaged in which case you will still have the problem.
__________________
Built..PerformaBuilt..Tough

Call 888-744-6542


Reply
Old May 6, 2009 | 08:34 PM
  #8  
WE TODD DID's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 290
Default

Originally Posted by predator427
anyone know where I can get a sonnax kit and what all do I need.
I also see that trans-go has a kit, any good?
Pull the spring out of the tcc regulator valve bore and get a stiffer one and put in it. You don't have to buy the kit. And, as said above, if it's a high mileage unit, you may have a worn converter clutch as well.

Take the spring to a hardware store, and get one about the same diameter, and a little longer, and stiffer.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-3

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-7

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

 Brett Foote
story-9

10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 6, 2009 | 08:40 PM
  #9  
performabuilt's Avatar
LS1Tech Sponsor
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,854
Likes: 80
From: BLOOMSBURG PA
Default

Originally Posted by WE TODD DID
Pull the spring out of the tcc regulator valve bore and get a stiffer one and put in it. You don't have to buy the kit. And, as said above, if it's a high mileage unit, you may have a worn converter clutch as well.

Take the spring to a hardware store, and get one about the same diameter, and a little longer, and stiffer.
LOL I would have said that "BUT" I figured someone would make some "comentary" about it not being the " RIGHT WAY TO DO IT" But it does in fact work agreed
__________________
Built..PerformaBuilt..Tough

Call 888-744-6542


Reply
Old May 6, 2009 | 08:41 PM
  #10  
ArkBird96's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Ricerville
Default

OK. Now I have a question. Why is it that the V6 F-Bodies tend to have this issue more than the V8's do? Or am I completely wrong and V8's also are plagued by this issue? My 96 V6 had this issue as well and it was at about 95,000 miles or so, bone stock. The 2000 Formula that I have now is at 105,000+ miles and shows no sign of this.
Reply
Old May 6, 2009 | 09:12 PM
  #11  
JUNK's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Westbank of N.O.
Default

Originally Posted by ArkBird96
OK. Now I have a question. Why is it that the V6 F-Bodies tend to have this issue more than the V8's do? Or am I completely wrong and V8's also are plagued by this issue? My 96 V6 had this issue as well and it was at about 95,000 miles or so, bone stock. The 2000 Formula that I have now is at 105,000+ miles and shows no sign of this.
A valve wearing a bore in the body is a function of how many cycles, not miles. That being said maybe the 6 banger shifts/locks/unlocks more. The trans-go kit "fixes" this problem according to Gil Younger. After u complete that step in the directions, he praises u for "fixing" this issue
Reply
Old May 6, 2009 | 09:21 PM
  #12  
WE TODD DID's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 290
Default

Originally Posted by JUNK
After u complete that step in the directions, he praises u for "fixing" this issue
Motivational shift kit, huh? LOL
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:01 PM.

story-0
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-3
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-4
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-5
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE
story-8
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

The world was a better place when it was still around.

By Brett Foote | 2026-01-23 09:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever

Slideshow: The 7.0-liter LS7 was designed for absolute cutting-edge performance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-07 18:36:00


VIEW MORE