DO NOT ASSUME THE ABOVE ITEMS ARE GOOD. CHECK EACH ONE THOROUGHLY.
THE OPERATION AND DURATION OF SERVICE OF A TRANSMISSION DEPEND ON
THE ABILITY AND EFFORT OF THE INSTALLING MECHANIC.
THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING PROPER FLUID
LEVELS AND PREVENTING THE TRANSMISSION FROM OVERHEATING. OVERHEATING CAN
BE CAUSED BY SEVERAL THINGS SUCH AS RADIATOR CONDITION, PULLING A
TRAILER, SPINNING REAR WHEELS WHEN STUCK, RUNNING LOW ON TRANSMISSION
FLUID, ETC...

TIP

AOD-E
/ 4R70W TRANSMISSION
The
third most common problem we see on an AOD-E is the shift lever position
sensor. When it goes out the transmission may shift at times, not shift
at times or fail to pull at times. It can only be diagnosed with a scan
tool. It’s located on the side of the transmission at the shift lever.
A4LD
– TRANSMISSION
When
an A4LD goes bad it usually takes about $400.00 worth of new hard parts
on average. When the transmission is rebuilt never use used hard parts;
use only new or rebuilt hard parts. Used hard parts will not hold up in
this transmission. Never pull a trailer with an A4LD, it will go bad
real quick.
C
– 6 TRANSMISSION
The
modulator works as a throttle position sensor. You must have good vacuum
at the transmission, if not it will shift out too hard and high. If you
have an adjustable modulator, turn the screw in to make it shift higher
at light throttle. Turn the screw out to make it shift lower at light
throttle. If you keep losing transmission fluid and can’t find a leak,
you may have a bad modulator. Pull the vacuum line off of the modulator,
if you see any fluid at all it’s bad.
604
/ 606 – TRANSMISSION
The
transmission computer on this unit is super sensitive, if it detects a
problem, it places the transmission in limp mode. When this happens it
will only have 2nd gear. When the key is turned off, it goes out of limp
mode, until the computer detects the problem again.
518
/ 618 – TRANSMISSION
The
518’s have been in use since 1990. The 618 is the same transmission,
but has more clutches and stronger gears, it goes behind a diesel or
V-10. This transmission is partly electronic, the newer ones more so.
First, second and third don’t shift using solenoids, overdrive and
converter lock up work using electronic solenoids. This unit can’t be
diagnosed using an electronic scan tool, but the throttle position
sensor and speed sensor can. These two sensors control overdrive and
torque converter lock up. (
700R4
/ 4L60 – TRANSMISSION
There
is no need for a shift kit in this unit, because you can get better
results by installing a larger servo or even a high performance servo.
We charge $95.00 parts & labor for this H. P. servo. You can also
install extra 3-4 clutches and a larger pressure valve at a small charge
when rebuilding the unit. If your transmission shifts at too low a R.P.M.
at wide open throttle this can be raised by installing lighter governor
springs. As a general rule the 1-2 shift should happen at 40 to 45
M.P.H. when the throttle is to the floor.
4L80E
- TRANSMISSION
This
is a very good transmission, often going 175,000 miles before a rebuild
is needed. Usually a pressure-valve and sleeve wears out, causing the
transmission to fail. This part must be changed with every rebuild or
the transmission will only fail again in short order. If your
transmission goes into limp mode it will stop shifting. If this happens
for some reason other than a transmission problem, disconnect the
battery to take it out of limp mode.
400
– TRANSMISSION
The
400 transmission has an electronic passing gear solenoid. It works off a
switch located just above the gas pedal or at the carburetor. It must be
working for the transmission to work correctly. If the passing gear
isn’t working the pressure will be too low at heavy throttle, causing
an early shift at heavy throttle. This could burn your clutches under
certain conditions. The solenoid can stick on, even if the wire is
disconnected, causing a high hard shift or no shift. There is an adapter
plate available that will make a non-Chevrolet 400 fit a Chevrolet
motor. It cost about $50.00 to $60.00 dollars. This transmission has
been in use since the mid1960’s. This means there are plenty of used
hard parts available at low prices.
350
– TRANSMISSION
If
you have a sudden large loss of fluid on a 350, look to see if the
governor cap has come off. This can happen when someone left the safety
clip off of the governor cap. Never use a transmission additive that
says it will stop leaks. This will turn your seals to mush over a period
time.