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

4l60e - wont shift, 1st gear only

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 23, 2014 | 02:55 AM
  #1  
Mark Russell's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default 4l60e - wont shift, 1st gear only

I put an LS1/4L60e from a 2000 Camaro into my 77 C3. Engine is running nice and isnt throwint any codes. But, I have not been able to get the transmission to shift past 1st. I have Park, Reverse, N, D (But only 1st). I have limp mode if i pull the plug. Even manual shifting will not change anything. I have been looking thru threads for months now. I checked the selonoids for clicking, they responded. I have power to the transmission harness.

Checked the VSS, puts out volts when I turn the wheels, TPS is brand new and has 5V. I have not used a transmission scanner yet.

Either my harness is not doing the job or i think it could be caused by faulty grounds thru the PCM. My pressure is also high at about 210psi in park. Doesn't change as I increase RPM. Since most of the electronics in the tranny rely on a ground, it would make sense it is not grounding well enough. I can figure out how to ground it any better. I have seperate grounds running to the engine block. The block is grounded with a thick strap to the frame.

Has anyone had an issue with a bad ground really affecting shift performance?

Also, I made my own stand alone harness from the original. I thought I could save $700, but I just ordered the P/N 60508 Painless Harness.

If the harness does not change anything, I will have to bring the car to a transmission shop.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2014 | 09:25 AM
  #2  
mrvedit's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Default

Its great that you have already checked a lot of things, especially removing the trans connector (plug) and line pressure.
So far, I think you just have a major electrical/harness problem. Since you have 1st gear, reverse and 3rd gear (via limp mode) the trans is likely mechanically sound.
Stuck is 1st gear could be a wiring harness pin mixup.
Also, 210psi in Park is very high, indicating that the circuit to the PCS (also called EPS) is disconnected, which then maxes the pressure. Also likely a wiring harness pin mixup.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2014 | 04:04 PM
  #3  
Mark Russell's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default

I have checked the harness numerous times and fep inner the whole thing and started over fresh. I'll check pins again while I wait for my $700 painless harness. Do you think it could be bad grounds? Most I the 4L60e relies on grounding out for pressure contr and sell nous activation I believe. My painless harness instructions mentions a lot about faulty grounds affecting the transmission.

Also, my transmission guy (very old school) thinks it's because I grounded out my NSS and the computer doesn't know what gear I'm in. I thought the NSS is just a safety switch and the pressure manifold in the trans tells the computer what gear it is in. His old school approach makes me hesitant to bring him the car. I might
Need a new transmission guy.

I'm also wIting for my cousin who has a transmission scanner to come over and see what the transmission thinks it's doing but idk when that will be.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2014 | 05:09 PM
  #4  
mrvedit's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Default

Mark, you are correct about the pressure manifold switch; the NSS (Neutral Safety Switch) only affects starting the engine. Why not just run a #10 thick wire from the trans to the engine to ensure the trans is well grounded.
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2014 | 01:21 AM
  #5  
Mark Russell's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by mrvedit
Mark, you are correct about the pressure manifold switch; the NSS (Neutral Safety Switch) only affects starting the engine. Why not just run a #10 thick wire from the trans to the engine to ensure the trans is well grounded.
Where do I runn the ground from on the transmission? I heard the older 4l60e could be externally grounded
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2014 | 05:51 PM
  #6  
mrvedit's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Default

You might find this wiring diagram useful:
http://www.msgpio.com/manuals/mshift/wiring.html

Note that it appears the pressure switch uses the case as ground. Thinking about that, it does sound like you might have a grounding problem.
Just run the ground wire to any bolt on the trans case.
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2015 | 11:51 PM
  #7  
Forrest Finley's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Default LS swap 62 nova with 4L60E 1st gear only limp mode and reverse work

Originally Posted by mrvedit
You might find this wiring diagram useful:
http://www.msgpio.com/manuals/mshift/wiring.html

Note that it appears the pressure switch uses the case as ground. Thinking about that, it does sound like you might have a grounding problem.
Just run the ground wire to any bolt on the trans case.
I'm new to the LS forum and would love some help so I can finally drive my car after 3 years.
I have the same exact problem that you have described with with you car. Did you ever find out what it was? Was it the ground wire? I have tested every wire in my harness 3 or 4 times and I'm hunting for the right answer. I have replaced the pressure sensor plate inside the tranny, tested the the tranny harness, good, solenoid, fuses all good, any real help would be awesome.
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2015 | 06:22 PM
  #8  
mrvedit's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Default

Forrest: Welcome to ls1tech!

Now that you have made your first post, why not start your own thread and describe exactly what symptoms you have. Your symptoms might be a little different and that the make a huge difference in the diagnosis.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

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

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 18, 2015 | 06:43 PM
  #9  
Forrest Finley's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Default Will not shift out of 1st

Originally Posted by mrvedit
Forrest: Welcome to ls1tech!

Now that you have made your first post, why not start your own thread and describe exactly what symptoms you have. Your symptoms might be a little different and that the make a huge difference in the diagnosis.
Thank you: my symptoms are as follows. I had the two pink wires swapped that go into the 4l60e tranny plug. Wire E and wire N were swapped (they are both pink, my bad)and the 10 amp fuse would blow figured that out and replaced the tranny pressure plate sensor pack. Now I have reverse and 1st. I would red line the engine no shift. Once on the gas it pulls really good but once I let off and get back on it it feels like it is slipping. Removed the fuse and it does go into limp mode P/R/N/3. I purchased the tranny out of a 1999 camaro with 98k miles, fluid was clean, no smell. Please any help would be awesome.
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2015 | 02:10 AM
  #10  
Forrest Finley's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Smile 4l60e will not out of 1st reverse is good

I know this is why there are forums, to help others with the trials and tribulations that others have gone though. I called a friend and he suggested that I hook up a scanner that has a live data feed. All were good except the VSS =0 speed. There was a bent terminal on the inside of the plug. How this happened I have no idea. Straightened out the male terminal on the plug and low and behold the $ 400 4l60e works like a champ.
I would like to say thanks to everyone for all of there information that I have read over the last 3 Years.
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2015 | 06:52 PM
  #11  
bbond105's Avatar
TECH Junkie
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,051
Likes: 716
From: Poplarville, MS
Default

Sorry I wasn’t able to post sooner, but glad you were able to figure it out.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:24 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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