G'day,
I have a 4L60E behind an LS1 in a vehicle I just purchased. I purchased the vehicle with the transmission drained of oil and missing the oil filter & gasket. I replaced the missing filter and gasket and filled with oil. Reverse works great but when I put it in drive, in does not shift out of 1st at all, even manually. It pulls hard all the way to the rev limiter but no shift. No codes coming up on the scanner and the vehicle Speedo is working and I can read vehicle speed on my scantool. I have no experience on transmissions at all, but I am a retired heavy diesel mechanic so I have pretty good mechanical skills, I just know nothing about autos. Can some kindly give me E some suggestions as to what the issue may be?
Cheers Neil

 

When looking at data is the upshift commanded?

 

I agree with Frank check the shift commands and make sure there is a VSS signal too. If there is no speed signal there won't be an up-shift.because the PCM thinks you are sitting still.

 

I'm not sure how to check that. I am using a Maxidas DS808 scan tool. My background is Cummins diesel engines tech, I have never worked on an automatic transmission apart from basic oil changes

 

Yes I can see speed signal on the scan tool and it's definitely there. The Speedo works as well which is driven off the vss. I'm not sure how to check if the shift is being commanded. I'm using a Maxidas DS808 and not experienced with auto transmission work at all.

 

Well regardless the first thing to do by whatever means is to see if command is being given.

 

There should be a section for you to select "transmission data" in that data set should have a "current gear" or "commanded gear" display. that should tell you. The fluid pressure switch commands should change as well. I have had that default to specific gears if bad.

 

I am sure there is, I will check it out and report back. I can see alot of gearbox data there, I just don't know what I am looking for, but I will check for the commanded gear data.

 

Or if you can see watch solenoid A AND B on and off sequence.

 

I took it for a drive. The vehicle is commanding the gears at what appears to be the correct time. The trans isn't shifting though. I did manage to get it to shift into second by lifting off the accelerator a bit. It was in 2nd and showing 4th on the scan tool. I can manually shift on the scan tool so I tried that. Car in D, shifted up, stayed in 1st but showed as 2nd on scantool. Upshifted again and stayed in 1st but showed as 3rd on scantool. Upshifted again, it physically changed into 2nd gear but showed as 4th on the scan tool. Any ideas where I should be looking?

 

whilst watching an online video of how to test the solenoids, I noticed a spacer was removed from behind 1 of the solenoids. I do not have this spacer in my trans. I'm not sure if it's meant to be there and the guy I bought the car off lost it or its not meant to be there, but either way I don't have it. Could this be causing my issue?

 

If someone put the TransGo 4L60E HD2 shift kit in and left that sleeve out that could cause all your issues. That valve is for holding 1st to any speed or being able to shift to 1st at any speed. here is a copy of their SK instructions. See page 2 step 5
If it is missing you could probably contact TransGo and they may send you one.

 

I have actually managed to get it back together correctly and it's now shifting properly. It shifts to 2nd and then to 3rd at the correct time. The issue I have now, which is the issue the old owner had prior to stuffing around in there, is it's just basically neural in 3rd. It shifts into 3rd and there's no drive at all. I welded a bit on the end of the servo shaft as I have seen some do online, because when I pushed in the servo cover it went in approximately half an inch. But I have fixed the no shifting problem.

 

A neutral on 3rd is the 3-4 set fried but its good you addressed the shift issue first, But now it will need to come out and be rebuilt .

 

I am going to buy a used transmission to go in the vehicle and rebuild the trans out of the vehicle and have it ready to go in when the used one fails. These 4L60E transmissions for the LS1 engines are worth a fortune here in Australia. The V6 4L60E is very common and very cheap, but the Box to suit the LS1 is not cheap and not many around. $4500 for an exchange, rebuilt unit or $1300-2700 for a used one. I am just going to order a rebuild kit from the USA and rebuild mine. I need a car to drive in the meantime though. My guess is that it was run out of oil as the car has very low milage and no evidence of abuse.

 

Your housing is probably just fine. Take it out, take it apart, and find out WHY it failed. 3-4 clutch failure is the #1 complaint with these transmissions.
You don't need to spend thousands.

Read the build threads. Vacuum test the valvebody. Check for leaks on the input drum.