Wow, I finally got my swap going this spring, and now that it is running it will not move XD. I filled the torque converter before I installed it, and I only put about 4 or 5 quarts in the transmission and it is reading full when hot (it should have taken more I think because the trans was pretty much dry). I can put the car in gear (or so it seems, will roll when in neutral, wont when in gear or park) but the car just wont do anything, it's like I am still in park. Is there anything electronic or mechanical that is keeping my tranny from engaging? My thoughts are a bad pump maybe? But I honestly have no clue.I don't want to have to pull my trans out again. Only putting 4 or 5 quarts in is what is really puzzling me. I had the output shaft replaced at a trans shop recently and I don't know if they primed it with fluid somehow. Would something in the PCM be to blame? Something to do with TCC lockup?

It's a '99 LS1 and 4L60E.



EDIT: Ok I am pretty positive the pump is shot. I was looking online and they said to pull a cooler line and start it up and it should pump fluid out, I got nothing. Not even a drop.

Anyone want a Trans Am?

 

according to all that i have heard or know a dry 4l60e should hold 11 to 14 quarts.

 

From my experiences it usually caused by a stuck valve in the valve body. Can't remember which valve it was but just make sure they all move agains spring pressure and mover fully both directions. Also make sure the filter seal in the pump was installed. Very rarely would actually be a bad pump. Also make sure the torque converter was installed correctly or the pump could be destroyed if not.

 

It will throw a code if its something electrical

Try reverse, it will work if nothing else does. If reverse is out, then trans is done

 

you can remove the cooler line and put a hose on it. hold the hose in a bucket and check for flow. (best with a second person) it sounds like your filter is off or missing. perhaps your missing the seal? but first things first is fluid flow. that lets you know if the pump is pumping

another option that happens is the pump may be stacked

 

No gears are working right now. The tranny shop put the filter and gasket back in when they did the output shaft. Tomorrow I will pull the pan and check the filter / seal. I am about ready to burn this car though.

 

No luck with the old TPI either. Ever figure out that bearing issue?

Atleast the LS1 starts and runs

 

TPI is long gone. I am so happy to hear it start, it runs beautiful. Just won't move

 

Don't worry your not alone with tranny issues. I bought mine 'rebuilt' from a friend of a friend and don't get me wrong it works well except it SLAMS into gear when you put it in drive, it even spins the tires with the brake pedal to the floor.

But fortunately enough mines in the valve body and can be fixed without taking the transmission out of the car.

 

Yeah, this was supposedly a "brand new" transmission too. Came with a crate and GM Performance sticker and everything.

 

I did this once on my 700r4 after it was rebuilt.I put about 4-5 quarts..said it was full,out it in gear..and reverse and got nothing.called the trans shop and they laughed telling me to add another 5-6 more and it will be fine.they were right and i felt stupid.lesson learned.trannys take alot of fluid before going anywhere..i thought i had a junk trans..started cursing..we all know the drill lol.the world came to an end

 

I would keep adding if the level would go down, but unfortunately nothing is being pumped through the trans

 

Have you tried running through all the gears? Let it sit at each gear for a min and check your fluid

 

Yup I have run through all the gears. I let it idle for about 20 minutes 3 times now (in park) and nothing has happened.

 

Have you had anyone hookup a scanner to it and have a look?
Took all of about a couple minutes to diagnose that my trans had high line pressure.

 

Let us know what you find. I like the cooler line method myself since its fast and easy. but chances are you would have to pull the pan to see if the pump is able to pick up the fluid.

 

whats the deal? what was wrong

 

Good question. This dilemma has dealt another blow to my already low motivation to work on the car. I might start tearing the trans out tomorrow.

 

what was the solution to this problem? my '91 is doing the same thing and wont move now. i couldnt find any good solutions that said they worked


"Don't worry your not alone with tranny issues. I bought mine 'rebuilt' from a friend of a friend and don't get me wrong it works well except it SLAMS into gear when you put it in drive, it even spins the tires with the brake pedal to the floor.

But fortunately enough mines in the valve body and can be fixed without taking the transmission out of the car."

 

My problem actually ended up being in the PCM flash, the trans was stuck in limp mode. There is not a warning indicator of any sort that will tell you its in limp but it was stuck in 2nd gear and had high line pressure.

All I had to do was take my PCM back to the guy who flashed it for me, he redid it and everything was fine after that.

Here is where I got my answer:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tran...-pressure.html

 

what were your symptoms besides the car slamming into gear? did it ever eventually just stop moving and would just rev up in each gear? mine slammed into drive and would occassionaly pop out of gear while driving until it completely went out on me the other night. dont wanna have to replace my whole tranny. it was just rebuilt a few months back.

 

You should take your tranny back to the place you had rebuild it and ask them why this is happening, a few months sounds like you should be warrantied for faulty work if that is the case. Mine was fine other than being stuck in limp mode. And I'm assuming your tranny is a 4L60E?

Put anymore of your questions in the thread I linked to rather than stealing this one from the OP.