4l60e shift solenoid upgrade how to#

This video does a great job of showing how to easily test 4l60e shift solenoids: Simply repeat this process for the other solenoid to verify both are working or not.Īnother way to test your shift solenoids is to check the ohms of resistance with a multimeter. If the solenoid works, you’ll hear a clicking sound when you go to attach the 2nd wire to the battery. After you have attached your test leads, simply connect them to the 9v battery one at a time. FYI, since this is a solenoid, it doesn’t matter which wire goes where.

Next, take your test leads and connect them to the backside of the solenoid where the electrical prongs are. Sometimes these plugs may be stuck, so wiggle them a little to get them free. These are simple plugs that have a tab that is easily released. When testing your shift solenoids, the first step is to remove the plugs going into the solenoids from the harness. When using this method you’ll need a 9v battery and a pair of test leads. One very easy way to test your shift solenoids is actually with a simple 9v battery to see if the solenoids are being activated. If you need to replace your shift solenoids, they are a pretty straightforward piece to remove and install. The image below shows how easily accessible the shift solenoids are once the pan and filter are removed. On a 4l60e, the shift solenoids are located on the rearward end of the transmission against where the pan bolts to the case. The computer is telling the transmission to do one thing, but mechanically it’s doing its own thing in regards to gear selection. Another thing that might happen is that the transmission will try to hunt or find the correct gear to be in.

Delayed or Inconsistent Shifts – If your shift solenoids are failing, you may quickly notice that the transmission will start to shift in a very inconsistent and delayed manner.

This gives the infamous “6 neutrals” that the 4l60e sometimes gets.

Transmission Won’t Shift Out Of Neutral – When a shift solenoid fails, the transmission won’t be able to shift into any gear.

When the computer commands a downshift, fluid is routed through the solenoids, so if a solenoid is stuck, it is not able to effectively move transmission fluid which results in the transmission staying in the same gear. Failure To Down Shift – If a shift solenoid isn’t downshifting from one gear to another, you may be facing an issue of a shift solenoid being stuck open or closed.The best way to make sure that your shift solenoids are the root cause is to test them.Ĭommon shift solenoid failure or symptoms of a bad shift solenoid include: Common issues that may cause you to believe the 1-2 or 2-3 shift solenoids are failing are a bad accumulator, stuck shift valve, just to name a few. While 4l60e shift solenoids do go bad, it’s not a common occurrence. When assessing a shift solenoid issue, there can be a number of things to consider. In addition to that, if you discover the shift solenoids are the culprit of your issues, they are inexpensive to purchase and repair yourself if you have the skills and understanding of how to do so. Luckily, it is pretty straight forward testing and replacing (if need be) 4l60e shift solenoids. Your transmission will display a variety of symptoms, but sometimes these issues can be confused by other common 4l60e issues. However, when they go bad, you will notice very quickly. There are 2 shift solenoids in a 4l60e (1-2 and 2-3), and both control up and downshifts with fluid passing through them when commanded to do so by the computer. With how common the 4l60e is and the popularity of retrofitting classic cars with modern transmissions, there are a number of 4l60e shift kit options.When your 4l60e starts to act up and not shift correctly, one very likely culprit is the shift solenoids. This is highly recommended in performance or towing applications. Similar to a corvette servo upgrade, this may help prolong your transmission’s lifespan by reducing the amount of slip between shifts. Properly installed shift kits will make all shifts more firm and quick without making it feel like you got hit by a train. What Does A Shift Kit Do For A 4l60e?Īdding a shift kit to your 4l60e equipped car, truck, or SUV will help correct and improve the lazy shifting that the 4l60e is somewhat known for in factory form. While this can be achieved if you desired, the fact of the matter is that a shift kit in your 4l60e will not only benefit you, but improve the way the transmission works. When most people think of installing a shift kit, they have the notion that their car will have violent and jarring shifts. A shift kit is a great way to improve the performance of your 4l60e transmission, but there are a number of things to consider before installing one.

4l60e shift solenoid upgrade