GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Slip Condition In 2nd 3rd Or 4th - Damaged 2-4 Band Or 3-4 Clutch - keywords 4L60E 4L65E 4L70E automatic bind body busy chatter fourth second shift shudder third valve

Subject:Slip Condition in 2nd, 3rd or 4th - Damaged 2-4 Band or 3-4 Clutch

Models:2004-2007 Buick Rainier
2003-2006 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT
2003-2008 Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Suburban, Tahoe, Trailblazer
2003-2004 Chevrolet S-10
2007-2008 Silverado
2003-2007 Silverado Classic
2003-2005 Chevrolet Astro, Blazer, Corvette
2004-2008 Chevrolet Colorado
2003-2008 GMC Canyon, Envoy, Savana
2003-2007 GMC Sierra Classic
2007-2008 GMC Sierra
2003-2006 GMC Sierra Denali
2003-2008 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Yukon XL Denali
2003-2004 GMC Sonoma
2003-2005 GMC Jimmy, Safari
2003-2007 Hummer H2
2006-2008 Hummer H3
2003-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada
2004-2006 Pontiac GTO
2005-2008 Saab 97x
Equipped with 4L60E, 4L65E or 4L70E (RPO - M30, M32 or M70) Transmission



This PI was superseded on 10/19/07 to remove engineering investigation. Please discard PIP3136K.


The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern:

The 4L60E/4L65E/4L70E automatic transmission may experience a condition of slipping, late or missed shifts in 2nd 3rd and 4th. An internal transmission disassembly may reveal a 2-4 band and or a 3-4 clutch being distressed.

Recommendation/Instructions:

Based on engineering transmission quality review sessions the following items should be inspected and or replaced as required. These items were found to be the cause of the distress to the 2-4 band and 3-4 clutch.

First check transmission fluid level. This transmission is very sensitive to low oil level.

Also check:

  1. Low Line pressure (perform a PCS test as defined in SI)
  2. 1-2 accumulator piston (56) cracked or broken
  3. 2-4 Servo Piston Seals (18,19,21,26) for being cut or damaged
  4. 2-4 Servo Apply Pin (13) for being nicked/scored /binding in the pin bore, damaged clutches will frequently cause the pin to have a rough finish where it passes through the case, this is a result of the clutch debris not usually the cause of the distressed clutches or band
  5. 2-4 Servo Piston Bore for being scored or mismachined
  6. 2-4 Band Anchor Pin (41) missing (low mileage)
  7. Servo Feed Oil Passage blocked with sediment
  8. Forward Clutch Apply Piston (630) Seals for being cut or damaged
  9. Forward Clutch Apply Piston (630) for being cracked
  10. Turbine shaft oil seal rings (619) for cut or damaged.
  11. Turbine shaft check valve retainer and ball assembly (617) is in place in the end of the turbine shaft and has not come out and gone inside the torque converter, if the retainer or ball is missing from the turbine shaft the torque converter must be replaced
  12. Turbine shaft apply fluid passage sealing balls are in place, these are pressed into the turbine shaft end inside the input housing
  13. 3-4 Clutch Apply Piston (623) Seals for being cut or damaged
  14. 3-4 Clutch Apply Piston (623) for being cracked
  15. 3-4 Clutch and Forward Clutch oil feed passage blocked or restricted (should flow check the housing, and the passages should be inspected for proper location)
  16. 3-4 Clutch check ball (620) for leaking
  17. 3-4 Clutch air bleed orifice cup plug (698) is in place
  18. Overrun Clutch Seal (632) damaged
  19. #7 Checkball (located in the case) for not being seated or leaking
  20. 4-3 Sequence Valve (383) undersized
  21. Boost Valve (219) stuck causing low line pressure
  22. Input Sun Gear to Input Carrier Thrust Bearing (700) damaged came apart
  23. Selective Washer (616) extra washer installed
  24. Oil Pump Body (200) cracked/damaged
  25. Inspect the Forward Sprag for proper operation per eSI document #215197.

Also inspect to see if the rear stator shaft bushing (241) may be worn on one side or damaged. The turbine shaft (621) may also be damaged in the stator bushing journal area.

This condition may be caused by the stator shaft (214) being non-concentric with the pump cover (215). If this condition is encountered the pump cover should be replaced along with any residual damage.

If none of the above items are found to be the root cause for the failure the Input Housing, Forward Clutch Piston and 3-4 Clutch Piston should be replaced and resealed as well as resealing the 2-4 Servo.

If clutch debris is found, it is also very important to inspect the pressure control (PC) solenoid valve fluid screens. Clean or replace the PC solenoid as necessary. It is also important to flush and flow check the transmission oil cooler using J45096. Refer to SI "Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Flushing and Flow Test" for the procedure.

Full sized trucks and utilities should have the shift cable properly adjusted and/or replaced if the cable is not holding proper adjustment.

In the event the transmission as a repeat 2-4 Band or 3-4 Clutch Failure the transmission may require replacement due to a possible transmission case concern.

BE SURE TO CONTACT THE PQC OR YOUR AVM FOR AUTHORIZATION IF A TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT IS NECESSARY.

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.