4L60e Camaro issue
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
4L60e Camaro issue Hello all,
This is actually a 94 so not technically a LS car but bear with me. I do have an LS car also.
Anyway on the way home yesterday in the 94 LT car I pulled out into traffic and romped on it a little so the person coming wasn't going to rear end me... When I do it goes from 1st to 2nd with a loud bang. Sounded like I hit something almost.
Anyway the car drove for a little while without issue, until a few stoplights later it began not taking off in Drive or Overdrive. I have to now start in 1st or 2nd and manual shift up into 3/4. Then when I stop at stop signs it happens all over again.
I drove it to work this morning with EE Hack logging and I never seen the TCC light come on, and it's acting like it's always locked up.. the RPMs are very steady which is abnormal during shifts when the TCC usually unlocked, until around 50mph the tune tell it's to lock.
I am hoping it's not the input sprag or something major. The solenoids sounded like they were working. When I manually fired them with EEHack I could hear loudly the 1, and 4th but 2 and 3 were less audible.. I may need my stethoscope for those.
Anyone have any ideas before I yank this POS out for the second time in several years?
This is actually a 94 so not technically a LS car but bear with me. I do have an LS car also.
Anyway on the way home yesterday in the 94 LT car I pulled out into traffic and romped on it a little so the person coming wasn't going to rear end me... When I do it goes from 1st to 2nd with a loud bang. Sounded like I hit something almost.
Anyway the car drove for a little while without issue, until a few stoplights later it began not taking off in Drive or Overdrive. I have to now start in 1st or 2nd and manual shift up into 3/4. Then when I stop at stop signs it happens all over again.
I drove it to work this morning with EE Hack logging and I never seen the TCC light come on, and it's acting like it's always locked up.. the RPMs are very steady which is abnormal during shifts when the TCC usually unlocked, until around 50mph the tune tell it's to lock.
I am hoping it's not the input sprag or something major. The solenoids sounded like they were working. When I manually fired them with EEHack I could hear loudly the 1, and 4th but 2 and 3 were less audible.. I may need my stethoscope for those.
Anyone have any ideas before I yank this POS out for the second time in several years?
TECH Junkie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,047
Likes: 714
From: Poplarville, MS
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it sounds like the input sprag broke when it shifted into 2nd gear. When in manual 1st and 2 gears the over run clutches are applied and hold the input sprag from turning. Did you have wheel hop when this happened?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
It's possible it did but I can't recall the wheel hop. I didn't feel any excessive hop.
It's what I was afraid of due to the way manual shift working. This blows really, after getting laid off etc I get to do a rebuild on a 4L60E.
It's what I was afraid of due to the way manual shift working. This blows really, after getting laid off etc I get to do a rebuild on a 4L60E.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Unfortunately a broken sprag tends to distribute metal shavings throughout the trans, torque converter, any cooler(s) and cooling lines. Besides needed a complete trans rebuild, the torque converter will also need to be replaced or at least cut open, cleaned and welded back.
More unfortunately, if you decide to swap in a replacement trans, it has to be a '94 4L60E as that is an odd-ball year and other years will not directly bolt on. For more about this see this current thread:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...28-camaro.html
Regardless of whether you decide to have the trans rebuilt or replaced, be sure to also take care of the torque converter and flush the cooling line and cooler. The stock cooler going through the radiator can be flushed, aftermarket "plate" cooler cannot be reliably flushed.
Sorry for the bad news. Keep us posted on your plans and we can try to provide some guidance.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
It's quite odd because the car drives pretty well with manual shifts. The big thing is when coming to a stop (after having manual shifted into 4/OD) it doesn't downshift back into 1st or to any "powered" gear. Just free revs.
I can definitely tell a difference in the 1-2 shift also, it used to be very firm now it's weak and a dull thud. Nothing seems to be slipping, and TCC clutch doesn't seem to ever release or engage.. it seems to always be released.
So I guess from previous tear downs and studying how this 4L60E works I can't think of anything other than the input sprag.
Who is the go to person for rebuild kits in 2020? Think we used trutech last time around.
I can definitely tell a difference in the 1-2 shift also, it used to be very firm now it's weak and a dull thud. Nothing seems to be slipping, and TCC clutch doesn't seem to ever release or engage.. it seems to always be released.
So I guess from previous tear downs and studying how this 4L60E works I can't think of anything other than the input sprag.
Who is the go to person for rebuild kits in 2020? Think we used trutech last time around.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
I and others used to recommend TruTech, but have not heard from them in years.
It appears that Dana (PBA) is selling rebuilt kits and he would be an excellent source. (Dana told me 5 years ago he was retiring "soon", but I guess not.)
It appears that Dana (PBA) is selling rebuilt kits and he would be an excellent source. (Dana told me 5 years ago he was retiring "soon", but I guess not.)
I blew the sprag on the 1st to 2nd shift racing at the strip in August of 2008. Learned/habit of manually shifting. Took 3 trips to Florida from Cleveland Ohio with the bad sprag. 4th gear blew in May of 2011, so replaced the tranny with a used one I picked up in Indiana in June of 2010, anticipating a tranny replacement. Almost 3 years of driving with a bad sprag.
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Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Hey, thanks for the reply about driving that long. I am definitely gonna take my time aquiring parts and such for the rebuild; for now it's driving fine. I used to flush trans fluid often like every 5k-7500 miles but now I am just gonna let it go and get my stuff together. I drive it sometimes on the weekends since I picked up a third vehicle this one will get love as I can.
I am considering the T56 swap as well, not sure yet.
I am considering the T56 swap as well, not sure yet.
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