4L60E Doesnt seem to move the wheels

[steve aleve]

So I am getting close to test driving my 47-54 3100 on an S10 frame with a 5.3 and 4L60E. I finished up the brakes and the engine starts and idles very nicely. The only thing I am unsure of is that when I jack the truck up and I go from park through the gears, it doesn't make the wheels turn as I would have expected.. For the most part they don't turn at all. They have turned a few times when I try but nothing consistent. Any thoughts? I have the TCC wire to a switch and I have played with that too and nothing...

[Clyde65]

ensure you have proper fluid?

[steve aleve]

I will do so tonight. Is this a common problem if there isn't enough fluid or the right type?

[Clyde65]

Not sure if its common but id start there first.

So was it used, rebuilt or ?

[steve aleve]

Used. Hopefully in ok shape but we will see. Thanks clyde65 for the help!!

[spectral]

if there isn't much fluid in there, the wheels will not turn.
Follow this procedure
http://www.rpmtransmission.mobi/file...lprocedure.pdf

[Bigdav160]

Your going to need 7-8 quarts in the trans just to get the wheels to turn with no load.

[steve aleve]

Thanks Spectral and Bigdav160 This is helpful stuff!! Spectral, have you attempted the procedure you attached? I don't know why but it sounds nerve racking. Has anyone else done this?

[BR3W CITY]

I don't understand the whole "run the truck while on a hoist and pull the drain plug"....That sound like a mess and a pain.

Run the truck, put it through PRNDL, and check the fluid level warm. Thats all you need to do. Add fluid as needed. Trans and pan are around 8 quarts, with the converter and cooler its 12-14. If your running a cooler, make sure there isn't a kink or blockage.

Oh and....does the driveshaft turn? IF the DS turns but the wheels don't, we got a different issue.

[chuychevy82lwb]

Front tranny pump could be broken i broke mine when i installed my 4l60e to my 5.3 i didnt seat the converter in all the way

[spectral]

Originally Posted by steve aleve

Thanks Spectral and Bigdav160 This is helpful stuff!! Spectral, have you attempted the procedure you attached? I don't know why but it sounds nerve racking. Has anyone else done this?

Its not nerve wracking at all. Its not under pressure at idle or anything and hot fluid won't coming spraying out everywhere.

That said, I fill slowly through the dipstick hole on the 4L60E and just keep checking the level until its showing full after everything is up to temp, and I've run through the gears. Saves me getting on my back / under the car as I don't have a hoist.

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

I don't understand the whole "run the truck while on a hoist and pull the drain plug"....That sound like a mess and a pain.

That procedure is for 6L80E's in car platforms, And other transmissions without dipsticks which is just about everything nowadays.

It's not a drain plug, It's a Check Plug, There is a stand pipe that extends up into the pan at the correct fill level, Sorry.....Off Topic, But the instructions in the link are incorrect for a 4L60E.

[steve aleve]

BR3W City, Thanks for the advice! I checked my fluid level and voila... lol no fluid level. So I plan on filling the trans through the dipstick a bit and keeping it warm to check the levels and I'll see where I go from there. Also, the driveshaft doesnt turn either so I am not thinking it's a rear end issue. Chuychevy82LWB I am hoping that is not the case with mine but we will see.

[BR3W CITY]

Steve, did you check that the gear selector is actually working? You can manually put it into gear from the side of the trans.

[steve aleve]

I am not sure what you mean? (because I don't know much about this stuff) I have a floor mounted Lokar Shifter on it and I am mechanically moving it through the gears this way. I know that it holds when in park and I have the Neutral Safety Switch hooked up. I think that I am doing what you are saying. Also, I did have a brief bit of movement at the wheels on some of the early startups (when lifted) but I was focused on the engine idling etc and didn't pay much attention to if it was consistent.

[steve aleve]

So just to let everyone know the results of this. I did read that there was 0 fluid in the transmission so I went ahead and added a quart, ran the engine and shifted through all of the gears. I checked the fluid and added as needed (3 quarts total so far) Once I had fluid in the transmission, the wheels became responsive and I was able to take the truck on my first test drive yesterday!!! It shifted from 1st to 2nd no problem, Neutral, Park, and Reverse all work nicely too!!! Thanks again for everyone's help!!!!