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

4L60E down shift surge?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 1, 2016 | 12:02 PM
  #1  
solidaxel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Sticker Patch So. Ariz.
Default 4L60E down shift surge?

When shifting from 4th to 3rd it feels OK but the shift from 3rd to 2nd there is a surge and from 2nd to first a surge, LM4 & 4L60E stock tune and engine
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2016 | 08:54 AM
  #2  
solidaxel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Sticker Patch So. Ariz.
Default

This happens with normal driving when slowing down and coming to a stop
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2016 | 09:11 AM
  #3  
mrvedit's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Default

Sorry no one has responded.
When you say "surge", do you mean a harsh downshift? How are your upshifts?
Or do you mean the engine revs?
Have you scanned for codes? Various engine codes can cause the trans to shift differently (usually more harshly).
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2016 | 05:21 PM
  #4  
solidaxel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Sticker Patch So. Ariz.
Default

Norman upshifts, but the second and first (gear) down shift the engine sounds like it is reving a bit, wanting to override the brake a bit.
The only codes that have been seen are lean bank 1&2
Thanks for the reply
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2016 | 08:31 PM
  #5  
mrvedit's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Default

I don't have any experience with your problem and don't recall any similar threads.
There is a 3-2 downshift solenoid whose purpose is to prevent a flare during the 3-2 downshift, but I don't think it has any effect on the 2-1 downshift.

Hopefully one of the pro builders/mechanics will have more info and some suggestions for you.
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2016 | 12:12 AM
  #6  
solidaxel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Sticker Patch So. Ariz.
Default

Update, still having the same downshift surge, "flair"

I did take the truck to the transmission shop and asked him to check thing out, the solenoids, he put his stand alone "box" on the trans and said there was nothing wrong with the transmission!

Said it up shifts and down shifts just fine and goes into and out of lock up so he said the problem was with the wiring

I pinned the wires with the help of Clienbargers info and there is continuity end to end thru the connectors and the colors matched the schematics

Would a bad VSS have any cause for this problem?
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2016 | 10:42 AM
  #7  
mrvedit's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Default

It might take a full scanner like HP Tuners and experience with it to figure this out. Is the surge coming from the engine or the trans? I would log things like MAF and PCS current to determine if the PCM is causing the surge (e.g. due to sensor problems) or the issue is internal to the trans.
Sorry you wasted time checking the wiring - if the trans is basically working it would never be a wiring problem.

How many miles are on the trans?
Has the fluid ever been changed?
Is this a drive-by-wire or drive-by-cable vehicle?

You could try replacing the 3-2 downshift solenoid which is trivial after dropping the pan.
Maybe a 25% chance of fixing your problem.
Reply
Old Jul 20, 2016 | 01:30 PM
  #8  
solidaxel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Sticker Patch So. Ariz.
Default

Thanks, at least I know it is not the wiring to the ECM

The fluid and filter were changed and we have put 2100 miles on the "good used" trans
The 2003 Tahoe engine is a DBW from the same vehicle

I did swap out the VSS with another 2003 4L60E that I have, and first of all it was a different "color" brass looking , and the trans acted very strange, it did not like that one!!
I replaced the old one and things started working again like before

I then changed the ECU with another one that I have had in my other truck and the problem still exists!

I do like your odds of 25% so I may change the solenoid, is this a plug and play or do I need the whole harness?
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

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

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 20, 2016 | 11:16 PM
  #9  
mrvedit's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Default

The solenoid is just that - a $20 part that is trivial to replace; it has a connector to which the harness snaps.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:43 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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