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Suddenly lost 4th gear 4L80E

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Old Apr 28, 2014 | 02:17 PM
  #21  
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No.
You can check the solenoids electrically, but it won't move the shift
valves
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Old Apr 28, 2014 | 05:53 PM
  #22  
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I've checked resistance, both solenoids are around 20 Ohm, so I assume they are good.
I've tried to move 3-4 valve as well as 2 valves on top of solenoids A and B, they all move freely.
Is there anything else to check?..

P.S. When I removed VB, I can only see 4 ***** in the case (green) circles, and another 5 empty spots for ***** (red circles), is that OK? Also rubber gasket is a bit damaged (yellow circle) over what appears to be small inner torx bolt, is that an issue?

help!..
Attached Thumbnails Suddenly lost 4th gear 4L80E-photo_case.jpg  
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Old Apr 29, 2014 | 05:30 PM
  #23  
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I've tried blowing air (30-40psi) into this torx bolt in the center of the picture, air was going somewhere freely by the sound of it, clutches in the front did not move at all...
Attached Thumbnails Suddenly lost 4th gear 4L80E-photo-1-.jpg  
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Old Apr 29, 2014 | 11:19 PM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by Vetal
I've tried blowing air (30-40psi) into this torx bolt in the center of the picture, air was going somewhere freely by the sound of it, clutches in the front did not move at all...
Trans will have to come apart. The T40 Torx bit is the OD bolt. OD oil passes through it to apply 4th gear.

Do the clutches look black? You can see them somewhat while the pan is off, you'll be able to get a good look once you pull the pump and OD assy.

The 4 checkball locations you noted are correct.
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Old Apr 30, 2014 | 01:54 AM
  #25  
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I hope that bolt is correct, I can't see what's the purpose of it, except slightly restricting flow? it doesn't block or switch something the way I see it...
Clutches look somewhat bronze?? if I'm looking in the right direction. They shouldn't be cooked since I only got into 4th gear under WOT for a few times.

While removing pump and OD assy, am I looking for something obviously broken?

P.S. I remember I had changed 3rd<->4th while TC was locked once or twice, could that rip off the clutches?
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Old Apr 30, 2014 | 09:33 PM
  #26  
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who needs overdrive ?
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Old Apr 30, 2014 | 11:06 PM
  #27  
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Yep, that's real helpful. The guy has a BUILT 4l80e overdrive transmission. He spent the money to have an overdrive transmission. Don't make light of someone's bad situation. It's stressful enough....don't add to it.
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Old May 1, 2014 | 08:08 AM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by Vetal
I've tried blowing air (30-40psi) into this torx bolt in the center of the picture, air was going somewhere freely by the sound of it, clutches in the front did not move at all...
When you put air into that hollow bolt it should apply the piston and when you remove air it should release. Its either a od piston seal leaking or something of that nature.
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Old May 1, 2014 | 09:43 AM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by Cam72aro
When you put air into that hollow bolt it should apply the piston and when you remove air it should release. Its either a od piston seal leaking or something of that nature.
Don't think it's just a leak in a seal, air was going there completely unrestricted.
Anyways, where is that piston, do I get there from the front where the pump is?
I will be reading a lot now on disassembling 4L80E, and I don't expect that here on forum I will be taught step by step how to get to OD clutches, but still, any hints will be helpful )
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Old May 1, 2014 | 12:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Vetal
Don't think it's just a leak in a seal, air was going there completely unrestricted.
Anyways, where is that piston, do I get there from the front where the pump is?
I will be reading a lot now on disassembling 4L80E, and I don't expect that here on forum I will be taught step by step how to get to OD clutches, but still, any hints will be helpful )
I think someone posted a link to a 4L80 rebuild pdf on here or PT.net.
You REALLY need a manual to tackle it.
Pull the pump, remove the OD assembly, remove the T40 bolt, and lift the OD housing out of the case.

Jake
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Old May 1, 2014 | 01:31 PM
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Shocking thought... This inner-torx bolt on my last picture wasn't secured at all, I just pulled it out with my fingers. That's why I wrote I don't understand the purpose of it. Should this bolt really HOLD something (like 4th clutch case)?
Could I have just ripped away 4th clutch housing, thus this bolt is just sitting there free???
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Old May 1, 2014 | 02:16 PM
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Is the bolt broken, like the head broken off, threads in the case/housing still?
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Old May 1, 2014 | 02:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Jake's Performance
Is the bolt broken, like the head broken off, threads in the case/housing still?
End of bolt looks like it is broken. In the transmission case there's just a hole, about 1/3" diameter, no traces of threads or something
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Old May 1, 2014 | 11:15 PM
  #34  
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The bolt serves a purpose. It's there to fasten into the OD basket to prevent it from rotating. It's hollow to allow fluid to pass through to engage the piston when needed. If you remove the bolt completely, and pull the pump and the input shaft/OD planetary assembly, you will see the basket sitting there in the case. Wedge a flat head screw driver behind the pump and use the leverage to get the pump out, very easy.

When the basket is sitting there, you will be able to see how it can rotate a little bit. There is a tab that rests in a case indentation that restricts the movement somewhat, but the bolt is there to keep is perfectly stationary and not prevent blockage of the passage.

Air should not have been going in unrestricted, you should have been able to clearly hear the sound of clutches applying. Pull the pump and input assembly out and check for black clutches like Jake said. Don't disassemble the OD basket or remove any clutches yet, but take the basket out and blow air directly into the basket hole. You should see a definite clear movement of the piston applying the clutches. If not, then a seal is blown and needs to be replaced.

Unfortuntely, that specific assembly in the transmission requires a specialty tool so you'll probably have to take it to a shop to have it fixed, this is one of the few things you can't really improvise at home and fix, nor would I recommend trying to.

Make sense?
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Old May 2, 2014 | 04:02 AM
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Yes it makes, thank you!
Couple specific questions I'm not clear yet:
1) do I remove center support bolt (12pt), front and rear servos, and parking stuff to remove pump and OD assembly?
2) I was reading that you have to remove some rubber o-ring from input shaft to be able to remove the pump, where is that o-ring?
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Old May 2, 2014 | 04:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Vetal
Yes it makes, thank you!
Couple specific questions I'm not clear yet:
1) do I remove center support bolt (12pt), front and rear servos, and parking stuff to remove pump and OD assembly?
2) I was reading that you have to remove some rubber o-ring from input shaft to be able to remove the pump, where is that o-ring?
1) No for all of those. Leave them alone. Just the T-40 bolt and pry on the pump like I mentioned earlier. Obviously remove the pump bolts as well.

2) Yes, it's right there on the front of the input shaft, you can't miss it. A new one is normally green but it may be black for you, I'm not sure. Just look between the tip of the input shaft and before the pump stator, like I said, it'll be right there.
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Old May 4, 2014 | 07:01 PM
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OK FINALLY things start to get clear. Indeed T40 bolt holding 4th clutches housing was sheared off.
What's worse though, I found some aluminium piece jammed between case and 4th housing.
There is some damage (scratches) on the 4th clutches housing, something was hitting the housing (or housing hitting something if it did rotate).
Is it serious or not, what do you think?

Also on the 3rd pic I don't know if it's damage from OD housing on the tranny case, or is it fine (area in red)?

On the last 2 pics - sheared bolt and some piece of aluminium I found jammed between case and basket - where does it come from??? What else is broken in my tranny??
Attached Thumbnails Suddenly lost 4th gear 4L80E-img_0144cut.jpg   Suddenly lost 4th gear 4L80E-img_0146cut.jpg   Suddenly lost 4th gear 4L80E-img_0149cut.jpg   Suddenly lost 4th gear 4L80E-photo-3-cut.jpg   Suddenly lost 4th gear 4L80E-photo-4-cut.jpg  

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Old May 4, 2014 | 07:21 PM
  #38  
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Looks like the pressure plate broke, causing the bolt to break, and the housing spun in the case.

If the threads are OK in the housing, a new pressure plate, clutches, seals, and bolt (and misc gaskets) may fix it.
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Old May 4, 2014 | 08:36 PM
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Hmmm, pressure plate of the OD housing assembly? I don't see anything broken in that assembly to be honest ( and I don't see "pressure plate" in the 4L80E manual regarding OD assembly...)
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Old May 4, 2014 | 11:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Vetal
Hmmm, pressure plate of the OD housing assembly? I don't see anything broken in that assembly to be honest ( and I don't see "pressure plate" in the 4L80E manual regarding OD assembly...)
I see it broken in the pictures you posted.

A "pressure plate" is the common term used for the end plate used to hold the clutch pack in place. The clutch is applied by the piston, and pressure from the pack is held by the "pressure plate".
I don't know what the specific verbage used by the manual you are using calls it. I haven't used a manual to build a 4L80E in quite a few years.

The iron piece that is broken off, came off the pressure plate. It is a "tang" that fits into the OD housing and then also the case to keep things from spinning and putting pressure on the bolt (that is broken).

Look at the parts closer and you will see the cause and effect.
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