I'm a almost Newb. I'm enjoying this forum. A wealth of good information. Thank you for interesting in-depth 4L80e transmission build thread. I went through all 18 pages but got confused. It's a lot to digest. I'd like to build my first transmission and my current unit may be the one. I don't have the budget to build like the one in the thread. I've done basic engines ring and rods, carburetor rebuild kits, etc, with success. Alternatively, if this 4L80e can be driven as-is for the foreseeable future that might be best as I have other demands on my time and money. But I'll happily do a basic rebuild it if necessary. If it's major then maybe getting a different transmission is best?. So I'll describe as best I can what it's symptoms are:
It's a 1995 Chevrolet Chevy Van G30 with 117,000 miles. I'm fixing it up into a budget camping and expedition van. Needs to be reliable as possible as will be in remote locations some of the time. It sat for about 1.5 years before I got it. I don't think the fluid has been changed but did not smell burned. Did a lot of stop and go driving as it was a Seattle short bus.
When I got it it was slightly low fluid level and slipping a little then engaging. Can that do harm to it? It seemed ok when I added fluid. After driving about 200 miles back to my location it suddenly dropped out of overdrive and coasted then engaged again but at a higher rpm. I assumed it was in 3rd but then realized it was probably 2nd. I dropped the pan and the reddish brown fluid. A little black sediment in pan. No chunks of anything. Replaced filter added Maxlife fluid and test drove hoping it was a plugged filter and dirty fluid. It did the same thing over again. Perhaps "limp" mode. After some research I learned how to count the flashing CEL. Got 68, 74, and 87 codes. I replaced the input and output speed sensors as they were inexpensive and easy. To no effect that I could tell. No joy.
I then tried cleaning and inspecting external wiring. No joy.
Then someone mentioned turning the ignition switch on and off several times. It drove very normally again for a few miles then drop out of overdrive again. After cycling ignition switch again it drove normal then dropped out again. Next I replaced the valvebody with one from Shift Rite and added more Maxlife fluid and filter. The valve body was an tricky job upside down dripping in my mouth and I think I torqued the valve body correctly. I used a small amount of Vaseline to hold the chrome balls in place. I've driven about 10 miles test driving. It dropped into second one time but now seems normal again. I wishfully attributed this to computer relearning? I hope there is such a thing!?
Hmmm, now I don't have a lot of trust in this transmission. Might it be on its way out?! Today's 5 mile test drive seems ok. Got up to 60 mph.
There is a slight whine in 1st gear, almost no whine in 2nd, and silent in high gears. I see from my reading it's not a early, but a ‘94-‘96 version. For a basic rebuild which kit, torque converter, what specific improvements are recommended and what signs should I look for inside it??? I have not bought the service manual for the transmission yet but plan to. Or should I buy a different transmission, rebuild it, and swap it in. What about the computer??
I'd like to add a better cooler and a temperature gauge as I plan on towing but only a small cargo trailer with 1500-2000 lbs gross weight . I'm generally very easy on my rigs. I'd rather pull over and park in the shade when it's hot. This is the first transmission issue I've had in 40 years.
Oh do I need the special tools like I saw in the Build thread?? That's amazing he has a machine shop and can craft such nice specialty tools. Perhaps someone rents out the pullers and what not. Sorry for the rambling post with too many questions.
It's a 1995 Chevrolet Chevy Van G30 with 117,000 miles. I'm fixing it up into a budget camping and expedition van. Needs to be reliable as possible as will be in remote locations some of the time. It sat for about 1.5 years before I got it. I don't think the fluid has been changed but did not smell burned. Did a lot of stop and go driving as it was a Seattle short bus.
When I got it it was slightly low fluid level and slipping a little then engaging. Can that do harm to it? It seemed ok when I added fluid. After driving about 200 miles back to my location it suddenly dropped out of overdrive and coasted then engaged again but at a higher rpm. I assumed it was in 3rd but then realized it was probably 2nd. I dropped the pan and the reddish brown fluid. A little black sediment in pan. No chunks of anything. Replaced filter added Maxlife fluid and test drove hoping it was a plugged filter and dirty fluid. It did the same thing over again. Perhaps "limp" mode. After some research I learned how to count the flashing CEL. Got 68, 74, and 87 codes. I replaced the input and output speed sensors as they were inexpensive and easy. To no effect that I could tell. No joy.
I then tried cleaning and inspecting external wiring. No joy.
Then someone mentioned turning the ignition switch on and off several times. It drove very normally again for a few miles then drop out of overdrive again. After cycling ignition switch again it drove normal then dropped out again. Next I replaced the valvebody with one from Shift Rite and added more Maxlife fluid and filter. The valve body was an tricky job upside down dripping in my mouth and I think I torqued the valve body correctly. I used a small amount of Vaseline to hold the chrome balls in place. I've driven about 10 miles test driving. It dropped into second one time but now seems normal again. I wishfully attributed this to computer relearning? I hope there is such a thing!?
Hmmm, now I don't have a lot of trust in this transmission. Might it be on its way out?! Today's 5 mile test drive seems ok. Got up to 60 mph.
There is a slight whine in 1st gear, almost no whine in 2nd, and silent in high gears. I see from my reading it's not a early, but a ‘94-‘96 version. For a basic rebuild which kit, torque converter, what specific improvements are recommended and what signs should I look for inside it??? I have not bought the service manual for the transmission yet but plan to. Or should I buy a different transmission, rebuild it, and swap it in. What about the computer??
I'd like to add a better cooler and a temperature gauge as I plan on towing but only a small cargo trailer with 1500-2000 lbs gross weight . I'm generally very easy on my rigs. I'd rather pull over and park in the shade when it's hot. This is the first transmission issue I've had in 40 years.
Oh do I need the special tools like I saw in the Build thread?? That's amazing he has a machine shop and can craft such nice specialty tools. Perhaps someone rents out the pullers and what not. Sorry for the rambling post with too many questions.