What's broken: Converter, 4L60, or both?
 

Strangest thing happened to me today. After coming to a stop on a freeway offramp, my 2600 stall acted like it was as loose as can be; like my old car with the 4500 converter. I had no warning, no noises, no feedback until accelerating away from the stop sign.

Fluid looks good, still red doesn't smell burnt, wasn't even all that hot when I checked it right after this happened. Level is good.

It seems to me that my converter came apart but not completely. It appears that it will still pump enough to get me going but I know have a high, high stall.

I haven't torn it out yet to look at anything but what should I look for? Will my converter rattle if it came apart? Suggestions on how to diagnose it?

Re: What's broken: Converter, 4L60, or both?
 

Had the same thing happen to me. Wound up being the converter. You should be able to see crap moving around that shouldnt be in the converter.

Re: What's broken: Converter, 4L60, or both?
 

Rarely is it ever the converter. If you have one of the name brands, they rarely fail and cause the symptoms you're describing. I'd look at the tranny first. Converters are pretty durable, the 4L60E is WEAK!!

Re: What's broken: Converter, 4L60, or both?
 

Well, it's not a BIG name converter -- It's a local shop that I have had make custom converters for my other cars in the past and never had a problem. I called him up today and he was very surprised.

I had a stethoscope on it tonight in my driveway and all the noise seems to be coming from the converter. I understand that because of the shape of the case all noises, even those in the tail shaft, would sound like they are coming from the bell housing/converter.

When I was listening to it, the looseness has kind of subsided and it seems like there is no stall in it anymore -- like the strator came loose. It killed the engine in D and R.

I won't be able to tell you what the exact problem is for a few days. My bet right now is on the converter since it was sudden with no warning or no noises, effects all gears, and the stethoscope but I will let you know once I get it out sometime later this week.