Product Overview
Since the introduction of the THM 4L60E transmission in 1993, there have been many major engineering design changes to improve durability and reliability. These changes have affected nearly every part used in the THM 4L60E. This "Update Handbook" will explain each change, the parts affected by the change, and any parts interchangeability concerns created by the change. Beginning at the start of production for model year 2001, General Motors introduced a new transmission designated THM 4L65E with many engineering changes. This unit is found in any vehicle with 5.3L or a 6.0L engine that was previously equipped with the THM 4L60E transmission. We will also cover the changes in the THM 4L65E transmission in this booklet. For the 2006 model year the 4L70E was introduced to be used behind the 6.0L or larger gas engines which received heavier duty parts to handle additional horsepower. There is no external way to distinguish the 4L70E from the 4L65E, however, the vehicle identification tag should have an M70 designation if the vehicle was originally equipped with a 4L70E. Also included will be the additions the 4L70E transmission received.
(TABLE OF CONTENTS)
PUMP CHANGE FOR ADDED "PWM" TCC SOLENOID.............................................. 3
PUMP CHANGE FOR BOLT ON BELL HOUSINGS ..................................................... 10
CHANGE IN BELL HOUSINGS FOR 1998. ..................................................................... 13
PUMP CHANGE FOR 13 VANE ROTOR AND SLIDE .................................................. 21
PUMP INTERCHANGE CHART ........................................................................................ 25
3-2 DOWNSHIFT SOLENOID CHANGE ......................................................................... 33
SPACER PLATE IDENTIFICATION BY MODEL CODE, 1993-2009 ........................ 38
NEW DESIGN SOLENOIDS ................................................................................................ 51
INTERNAL HARNESS IDENTIFICATION ...................................................................... 55
PREMATURE LOW/REVERSE CLUTCH FAILURE ................................................... 60
NEW VALVE BODY AND MANUAL VALVE FOR 1996 ............................................... 62
SOFT 1-2 UPSHIFT, NEW ACCUMULATOR VALVE SPRING .................................. 65
ACCUMULATOR PISTON WEAR .................................................................................... 66
NEW DESIGN 1-2 ACCUMULATOR PISTON ............................................................... 68
TRANSMISSION AND/OR ENGINE OVERHEAT ......................................................... 70
PUSH-IN COOLER LINE FITTINGS ................................................................................ 77
INTERMITTENT PRESSURE RISE, 1996 MODELS ONLY ........................................ 76
PREMATURE 3-4 CLUTCH FAILURE, THICKER STEELS ....................................... 80
HIGHER GEAR START OR LACK OF PRESSURE RISE ........................................... 83
NEW DESIGN OUTPUT SPEED SENSORS .................................................................... 84
STAMPED STEEL, MOLDED RUBBER CLUTCH PISTONS ..................................... 85
NEW "DEEP" BOTTOM PAN AND FILTERS ................................................................ 87
NEW DIPSTICK STOP ......................................................................................................... 91
BIND IN M1, 2ND GEAR START, BIND ON 2-3 SHIFT ............................................... 94
P/N SWITCH CONNECTOR CANNOT BE REMOVED ............................................... 96
FORWARD SPRAG, "SKF" VERSUS BORG-WARNER ........................................... 100
NEW SUN GEAR AND THRUST BEARING. ................................................................ 103
SEVEN CLUTCH 3-4 CLUTCH PACK FOR 2001 ........................................................ 106
FIVE PINION CARRIERS, BOTH FRONT AND REAR ............................................ 111
NEW DESIGN VALVE BODY CASTING FOR 2001 .................................................... 113
TROUBLE CODE P1870/P0894 AND HOW TO FIX .................................................... 117
INPUT SPEED SENSOR ADDED. .................................................................................... 121
PUMP AND INPUT SHAFT INTERCHANGE. .............................................................. 132
NEW OIL PUMP TO CASE SEAL FOR THE 2004 MODEL YEAR. ........................ 139
CHANGES FOR THE 2009 MODEL YEAR. .................................................................. 144
TPD MODEL CHANGES FOR THE 2004 MODEL YEAR. ........................................ 152
ADDITION SERVO ADDED FOR THE 4L70E. ............................................................ 158
NUMBER 5 CHECKBALL ELIMINATED. ................................................................... 160
INPUT CARRIER CHANGE. ............................................................................................ 166
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