4T60E Cold Start Engage Issues

[bszopi]

Well, this problem started a few weeks ago, but I never really cared to post about it. But today it started getting worse, so I figured I'd ask the question.

Basically, any time the tranny is cold, it will not engage in R, OD, or D (shifter is PRNODDL). Once I shift it to L, it engages, and then the rest of the gears will engage as well. I'm not sure if this is a fluid issue (I have a seal leak and pan leak, but I try to keep the fluid filled up ), or if it is showing signs of a more significant internal issue.

Its a 94 tranny with ~152k on it, but its been pretty reliable for me up to this point. Oh, and once the tranny is warm, it'll go into all gears without any issues, which makes me believe it is not a fluid issue.

[gpse3400]

yeah your seals have hardend up, at that milage i'm not surprised. By shifting into low you put the pump at max pressure and cause things to move...I'd change the fluid/filter and toss some TransX or some kind of additive down there... May want to try the new DexronVI that's out. One question, have you been changing the fluid every 30,000?

[IsaacHayes]

Mine did the same 2-3 years maybe longer ago

Go to the dealer, get the "GM Automatic Transmission Seal Conditioner". Put that in and after 800-1000miles you'll be back to normal.

I changed the fluid in mine and that didn't help until I put the GM seal conditioner in. My trans behaves great now. Expect after you do this for it to shift faster than it has in a long time too. Great $7 fix.

Also putting the pioneer adjustable trans modulator is a good idea too. I did that a few months ago and I love it.

[loner666]

Mine did the same 2-3 years maybe longer ago

Go to the dealer, get the "GM Automatic Transmission Seal Conditioner". Put that in and after 800-1000miles you'll be back to normal.

I changed the fluid in mine and that didn't help until I put the GM seal conditioner in. My trans behaves great now. Expect after you do this for it to shift faster than it has in a long time too. Great $7 fix.

Also putting the pioneer adjustable trans modulator is a good idea too. I did that a few months ago and I love it.

i might have to try that..my trans is being gay ever since i installed one of those adjustable trans modulators..i even replaced it thinking i got a bad one..didnt help so i guess time to try the Conditioner since i gotta go to the dealer this weekend for gaskets

[IsaacHayes]

Yeah BlackRoseZ26 I *think* was the guy on beretta.net that told me it years ago. He had the same issue and it fixed his trans and he said it was still working great years afterwards.

I recommend getting the GM stuff over other brands because the GM stuff works and I wouldn't trust the other brands when you can get the GM stuff for $7.

[bszopi]

I went to my GM dealer and they didn't have a GM brand, but they had a Wynn (IIRC) brand. Same? Of course, this is the same dealership that didn't stock spark plugs for my 2004 Alero (2.4 ECO-Tec). WTF is up with that?!?!

[IsaacHayes]

Go to another dealer!!!! WTF!

[nixtux]

I'd change the fluid and check level. From experience transmission fluid gets very tough when it's cold and more so when burnt.

Just change the fluid and filter, check the pan for metal; I've always been told not to "flush" fluid at that mileage cause it can destroy a transmission. And ironically, on my Intrepid that was the case. A week after my transmission was flushed I was stuck in limp mode.

Also on a 94' Cutlass it was flushed and two weeks later the transmission needed to be replaced (that car had 198,000mi though) but it was serviced every 25-30,000mi and it was mainly drove by my folks so it was light driving.

I'm not saying I'm right or wrong. Just experience tells me never to flush the darn things after 100k anymore. Change the fluid --- filter maybe (I've also been told not to replace filter just fluid.) The mechanic told me if you need to change the filter it's too late anyway. Granted I always change it out anyway since the filter comes with the kit everytime I buy them.

[IsaacHayes]

I flushed mine and it didnt help. The GM conditioner did though.