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

4l60E heres a real strange problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 30, 2025 | 07:35 PM
  #1  
RJ Squirrel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 25
Likes: 3
Default 4l60E heres a real strange problem

Driving around everything working great with a rebuilt trans when suddenly loses all gears like being in neutral. Stop on the side of the road shift through all gears and nothing.
Turn key off and wait a minute, start it and works again for a few minutes, then same thing. Got back home by repeating this process a few times.
Then I replaced all the solenoids, pressure switch manifold and the harness with good quality new. The TCC solenoid in the old harness was stuck and seemed to have a short
so I thought I had found the problem. Drove it around a couple 6-8 mile runs today and everything great. It sat for an hour or two, was going out to play on the country roads,
drove about 2 miles and same thing started happening again.
This is a 2004 GTO, 3500 Yank converter. Looked at valve body again on the bench when I did the solenoids nothing unusual or sticking. Why me lord.
EDIT: posted the solution at the end of the thread.

Last edited by RJ Squirrel; May 6, 2025 at 09:24 AM. Reason: solved
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2025 | 08:20 PM
  #2  
FranksCustomTrans's Avatar
LS1Tech Sponsor
Shutterbug
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 1,802
Likes: 1,144
From: BERWICK PA
Default

Losing motion means you are losing pressure . Short of a broken pump which would not be intermittent . I would suspect a filter or PR valve issue .
__________________
Frank formerly of Performabuilt, Now just me, What can I build for you today? Call or message me. Click sig pic for my facebook



Reply
Old Mar 30, 2025 | 08:50 PM
  #3  
RJ Squirrel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 25
Likes: 3
Default

Thanks Frank, just replaced those parts actually.
I am thinking the fix will be a new computer, unless anybody has any other suggestions?
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2025 | 08:59 PM
  #4  
FranksCustomTrans's Avatar
LS1Tech Sponsor
Shutterbug
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 1,802
Likes: 1,144
From: BERWICK PA
Default

Originally Posted by RJ Squirrel
Thanks Frank, just replaced those parts actually.
I am thinking the fix will be a new computer, unless anybody has any other suggestions?
A new COMPUTER/PCM will not fix a loss of movement situation .
They literally is NO PCM fault that will result in no movement period.
__________________
Frank formerly of Performabuilt, Now just me, What can I build for you today? Call or message me. Click sig pic for my facebook



Reply
Old Mar 30, 2025 | 09:15 PM
  #5  
RJ Squirrel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 25
Likes: 3
Default

OK good to know I dont need to down that rabbit hole! So maybe my PR valve in the pump is sticking? It was replaced during the rebuild with a new Transgo valve, springs etc.
I am looking at the install drawing now, boost valve, alum. spacer, big spring, smaller spring, regulator valve. I do not remember seeing the aluminum spacer shown on the drawing.
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2025 | 03:45 AM
  #6  
RJ Squirrel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 25
Likes: 3
Default

I pulled the boost valve/regulator valve out. They were installed correctly. Boost valve came out pretty easy, the PR valve did not. Took a tug with some long pliers to pull it out.
I plan to polish the valve a little tomorrow until it slides easy, then give it a go.
Strange how it worked for 3500 miles then started sticking, if that is what is happening.
Thanks again Frank for helping me think this through.
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2025 | 10:14 AM
  #7  
FranksCustomTrans's Avatar
LS1Tech Sponsor
Shutterbug
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 1,802
Likes: 1,144
From: BERWICK PA
Default

Valve could be sticking when hot in stroked position. . Polish valve and clean bore out good. Valve should literally go in and fall out in such a way you have to put grease in it t keep it in during install.
__________________
Frank formerly of Performabuilt, Now just me, What can I build for you today? Call or message me. Click sig pic for my facebook



Reply
Old Mar 31, 2025 | 01:15 PM
  #8  
mrvedit's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,322
Likes: 528
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Default

For future people reading this, the 4L60E/4L65E/4L70E will "work" even if completely disconnected electrically. You will ONLY have 3rd gear, Reverse, Neutral and Park. When electrically disconnected, it also maximizes the system pressure.
This presents a "last resort" option, that if the trans is slipping too much to drive, you might be able to disconnect the trans, which will raise the system pressure and reduce slippage, and possibly limp it home.

However, in this thread it does sound like the trans is loosing pressure when it warms up.

Frank: I do wonder if the valve can drop pressure so low that the car no longer moves. Also, are you referring to the "boost valve"?
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-3

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-7

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

 Brett Foote
story-9

10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 31, 2025 | 09:37 PM
  #9  
FranksCustomTrans's Avatar
LS1Tech Sponsor
Shutterbug
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 1,802
Likes: 1,144
From: BERWICK PA
Default

Originally Posted by mrvedit
For future people reading this, the 4L60E/4L65E/4L70E will "work" even if completely disconnected electrically. You will ONLY have 3rd gear, Reverse, Neutral and Park. When electrically disconnected, it also maximizes the system pressure.
This presents a "last resort" option, that if the trans is slipping too much to drive, you might be able to disconnect the trans, which will raise the system pressure and reduce slippage, and possibly limp it home.

However, in this thread it does sound like the trans is loosing pressure when it warms up.

Frank: I do wonder if the valve can drop pressure so low that the car no longer moves. Also, are you referring to the "boost valve"?
No I am referring to the actual PR valve and yes i have seen them stick and no movement little to no line pressure.
__________________
Frank formerly of Performabuilt, Now just me, What can I build for you today? Call or message me. Click sig pic for my facebook



Reply
Old Mar 31, 2025 | 10:12 PM
  #10  
RJ Squirrel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 25
Likes: 3
Default

Pulled the PR valve out, bore brushed with a nylon borebrush and blew it out. Polished the PR valve with a piece of used 600 grit until it slid easy. Put in another new filter.
It felt promising shifting from R to D after I filled it with oil, but lost movement again before I could back out of the shop. Rats.
So now thinking I need to pull the pump out and have a closer look? Or could it be a valve body problem? Bad torque converter would fill the pan with metal wouldn't it?
Shifting from R N D in the shop with the car door open I could hear a slight cavitation in R and D. Not very loud but it was there.
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2025 | 10:21 PM
  #11  
brandon6.0's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (32)
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 29
From: Glennville, GA.
Default

Check fluid level or trashed up trans cooler?
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2025 | 10:47 AM
  #12  
RJ Squirrel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 25
Likes: 3
Default

Cooler is internal new radiator. I think the pressure relief check ball in the pump is a long shot but going to look at it next. Maybe a small piece of debris lodged in there,
A small piece of debris tried to kill me once inside an aircraft carburetor. Maybe it is the same one came back to haunt me.
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2025 | 01:05 PM
  #13  
dixiebandit69's Avatar
TECH Resident
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 858
Likes: 402
From: Texas
Default

I remember a guy posted about a similar situation a couple of years ago (I think he had an S10 Blazer), and @vorteciroc told him to check the AFL valve, that it could be worn severely.
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2025 | 10:03 PM
  #14  
RJ Squirrel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 25
Likes: 3
Default

I believe I have a crack in the case somewhere, dropped the motor/trans out today.

Last edited by RJ Squirrel; Apr 1, 2025 at 10:43 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2025 | 11:52 PM
  #15  
vorteciroc's Avatar
TECH Junkie
15 Year Member
Shutterbug
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,197
Likes: 1,383
From: Nitro Alley
Default

Well I wish I new, but I don't... and My Father is not around to ask anymore.


I'll take a look through his notes, but the books that he wrote everything in are about 9 Inches thick.
I have been slowly trying to re-type it all so I can organize it all by categories/ topics.

Good luck guys!


-Marcello III
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2025 | 04:47 PM
  #16  
mrvedit's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,322
Likes: 528
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Default

Marcello: We all miss your dad! He was a smart and generous man, and of course a great contributor here.
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2025 | 07:36 PM
  #17  
RJ Squirrel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 25
Likes: 3
Default

Not finding any cracks in the case or pump housing, but seeing some metal in the pan that should not be there. I had just cleaned out the pan and more appeared, so must be coming from the converter. The Yank 3600 converter came with the project so have no idea how much use it had, do Yank converters have a roller clutch on the stator? Would that even cause the no movement problem if it was bad?
I will call Yank tomorrow.

Last edited by RJ Squirrel; Apr 2, 2025 at 10:52 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2025 | 11:35 PM
  #18  
vorteciroc's Avatar
TECH Junkie
15 Year Member
Shutterbug
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,197
Likes: 1,383
From: Nitro Alley
Default

Originally Posted by mrvedit
Marcello: We all miss your dad! He was a smart and generous man, and of course a great contributor here.
Thank you!

That is very kind.
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2025 | 11:26 AM
  #19  
bbond105's Avatar
TECH Junkie
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,045
Likes: 713
From: Poplarville, MS
Default

Originally Posted by vorteciroc
Well I wish I new, but I don't... and My Father is not around to ask anymore.


I'll take a look through his notes, but the books that he wrote everything in are about 9 Inches thick.
I have been slowly trying to re-type it all so I can organize it all by categories/ topics.

Good luck guys!


-Marcello III
I am sorry to hear of the passing of your father.
I would have liked to have met him in person. He would always encourage me to have more confidents in my postings. I learned a lot from him and really enjoyed our conversations. The 1st thing I would do in the mornings would be to check in here to see what he would have to say.
He has been and will be greatly missed.
Brian
Reply
Old May 6, 2025 | 09:23 AM
  #20  
RJ Squirrel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 25
Likes: 3
Default

Came back to post the ending. The torque converter is a Yank 3600. The TCC solenoid started sticking. The car would stall at stop lights randomly. I thought it was my tune doing that.
The TC clutch wore down enough that the debris coming from the torque converter that was small enough to get past the filter started to cause the PV valve in the pump to stick intermittently. It would stick in a position that caused no movement. When I would shut off the car and re-start, it would begin working again.
I sent the TC back to Yank and had it rebuilt. Went through the trans and valve body and cleaned all the trash out of it. Replaced all the electronics.
I put 100 miles on in the last couple of days and everything is fine now.
Thank you Frank for directing my attention to the PV valve.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:30 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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
story-8
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

The world was a better place when it was still around.

By Brett Foote | 2026-01-23 09:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever

Slideshow: The 7.0-liter LS7 was designed for absolute cutting-edge performance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-07 18:36:00


VIEW MORE