How To Solve The 4l80e Transmission Problems?
Are you facing 4l80e Transmission problems? Well, the 4l80E Transmission is a 4-speed overdrive transmission. It is one of the best overdrive transmissions. It is found in vehicles like the Jimmy, Astro, Camaro, and Safari. You might be facing some issues with this automatic transmission. Don’t worry; let’s see if we can figure it out together.
The solutions for 4l80e Transmission problems differ depending on the problems. Here is the list of some common transmission problems and solutions for the 4l80e
- Inspect transmission fluid leaks from your car.
- Use an OBD2 scanner to scan your car’s computer for any problems.
- Use an OBD2 scanner to find out if your car is in limp mode.
- Check if your torque converter is working properly.
This guide can make your solution a bit easier. In the case of more severe issues, seek the help of a professional.
Below are mentioned the common problems that you may face. This heavy-duty transmission has a lock-up torque converter and is electronic, and is made for working hard. So they may suffer damage at times.
1. Transmission Fluid Leaks
You may face the problem of fluid leaks. Have you ever parked your vehicle overnight, and when you came out the next morning, you noticed some liquid had leaked? Leaks are common problems with most vehicles, but it’s important to prevent and stop leaks when they occur.
Once you have time to inspect your car, determine where the leak is coming from. Always follow safety measures when inspecting your car and wear clothing that can get dirty. First, allow the vehicle to cool down. Then use a flashlight to check near where the leak seems to be.
The fluid that is leaking may come from right above the spot on the ground. A common area for leaks is the front seal which is located near the torque converter. The other areas are the rear seal, pan gasket, transmission lines, and the area around the electrical connections or sensor.
Solutions: Get a new gasket and seal installed or try a bottle of stop leak. (See video)
2. The RPM of the Engine can Flair when the Car is put in the Gear
If you would like to diagnose a problem with your transmission, it can be very helpful to have an OBD2 scanner. You can also rent one from a local auto part store. These tools easily attach to the OBD port under your dashboard.
You can then scan the car’s computer for any problems. This tool will help you diagnose problems, including if you have a bad sensor that can put the car in limp mode.
Some things to think about if your transmission flairs are that your transmission is slipping due to worn gears, the band is not working or broken, low or leaking transmission fluid or the torque converter has issues. If one of the solenoids is not working, this can also cause shifting problems.
If your vehicle has something broken, you need to pull over as soon as possible to get the problem fixed before more problems occur.
Solutions: The first step is to check the fluid level, check for leaks, and use an OBD2 scanner. These are easy and fast ways to diagnose your problem. You may need to do one or more of the following to fix your transmission if it flairs when shifting.
Replace worn gears, have the band replaced or have them adjusted, get transmission fluid filled and leaks stopped, have torque converters fixed or replaced, and solenoids connected (if connection issue) or replaced.
It’s best to get help from a professional and decide if it might be best to just replace the transmission with a new one. Repair costs can be almost as much or more than buying a new one. A remanufactured one can be another good option. Labor for getting one Installed should range from about $800.
3. Limp Mode
If you have had a problem where you can only shift into reverse or second gear, then you might be in limp mode. This mode is triggered when the computer tries to protect your transmission or engine from serious damage.
This is when an OBD2 scanner can come in helpful. It can tell you whether a sensor is malfunctioning or the transmission has a serious problem.
If you don’t have a scanner, you can take it to a trusted mechanic or auto dealership for diagnosis.
Some main issues that can cause the transmission to trigger limp mode are the solenoids and the ECM (engine control module).
Solutions: It can be the shift or TCC (torque converter control) solenoid. Any easy fix might be checking the wiring to the transmission for shorts or loose connections.
The ECM can also pose a problem that can result in the limp mode of transmission. A quick fix to this problem is to restart the engine. Sometimes the ECM just needs a reboot, and other times it may need replacing.
Use an OBD2 scanner to see what could be the issue. It might be an easily replaced sensor.
Other things to consider: If your vehicle is in limp mode, the issues can be in the input or output shaft sensor, shift solenoids, and sensor of speed.
If the transmission is not shifting automatically, you might need a new PCM (powertrain control module). Checking the wire might be why things aren’t working as well.
The last reason is if there are harsh shifts from N or P, then the EPC (electronic pressure control) may have failed.
4. The Problem is coming from the Lock Up Torque Converter
The torque converter, when working properly, should allow the lock-up clutch to apply pressure to the converter and transfer the correct torque to the transmission. This connection between transmission and engine can only occur properly if the torque converter is working well.
A properly working one results in reduced emissions and improved fuel economy. But if the torque converter clutch fails, this can cause problems with overheating and torque converter issues.
One problem with the torque converter can arise due to the bad wiring of the cruise control. There can also be a malfunctioning sensor that senses the speed of the vehicle.
Solution: Almost all problems with transmissions come as a result of low, too much, old, or burned-up transmission fluid. Never avoiding proper maintenance of the transmission by changing the transmission fluid at regular intervals.
Run a diagnosis using an OSD2 scanner to see if any sensors are malfunctioning. You can check the wiring and secure any loose wires.
5. Other Transmission Problems
In this video, they show how the transmission is taken apart, and at the end, it discusses a few of the common issues with this type of transmission.
As seen in the video, some of the problems that can occur with the 4l80e occur when it starts to overheat. Overheating can occur when pushing the car to operate for longer periods of high torque.
The video also says that when the transmission fluid gets low, the clutches can start to burn or wear out. This can result in the wearing of the drum so that only partial pressure can be applied when trying to change gears.
The last issue discussed in the video is when the planetaries start to function incorrectly because of heat from the low fluid. This results in wobbling that may cause the sun gear to break.
Conclusion
The problems and solutions mentioned above are for guidance only. If you encounter a problem that is not within your skill set, go for an inspection at a trusted transmission mechanic. Or if your transmission gets worse over time, even though you’ve done all you can, it’s best to get it inspected by a professional.
If you are interested in fixing your own transmission, you might be able to get it done with a little help. If you go to transmissionbench.com, they have step-by-step videos to help you work on your transmission as well as parts.
I like that the instructor gives you simple, effective instructions and helps you through each step, explaining names and concepts as you go. This is a sample video from his course.
If you have questions about other vehicle transmissions, take a look at the following bullet points.
- GEO tracker transmission problems – Maybe your 4l80e has some of the same issues as a Geo.
- Maybe you can only easily start your car in the second gear. You can make your HP tuners work by setting the 1-2 shifts to 0 mph.
- If the problem persists, you can try replacing axle shafts. You can also weld it up to avoid serious issues while driving your vehicle.
- Trailblazer transmission problems – If you are experiencing a warning light on your dash, your trailblazer may have an issue. You need to check the codes and possibly do a hard reset.
- You must also check your transmission fluid. Check that it is full and the correct color.
- Old transmissions may just need to be rebuilt with new parts to function well. Getting a rebuild kit (see video) if you know how to work on transmissions might work for some people.
