After six months the converter took a dump today on the freeway. The truck would not move at all, had to tow it to my friend's garage. This is a well known company on the West Coast and until yesterday they insisted that the problem may be elsewhere. Now, a question for you guys with TC's. Have any of you experienced the same problem with a brand new converter lasting only 6 months? and from the other manufacturers on the East Coast, wich one is the most reliable?

 

How are you sure it is the converter? Abrupt loss of all gears is generally pump-related. The converter can certainly CAUSE premature pump failure if it is poorly balanced or has a pump drive snout that is not true.

 

James,
Because the converter was making a weird noise when shifting from 3rd to 4th in D at about 42 mph. Anyway, two tech guys told me the same, converter problem, the surprise came when one of them reinstalled the OEM converter, same problem, so now the transmission is gone, I am baffled, truck only has 15.000 miles. Any other clue on the problem? Thanks

 

I know how much removing and re-installing the transmission over and over again can get on your nerves. Since at this point it has to come out again anyway look at you stock converter for signs there is no fluid flow. If it didn't fill because the pump isn't pumping you should be able to tell. Also, check the cooler lines for trash. During the 3-4 shift the PCM locks the clutch in the torque converter. If the clutch was coming apart it could have clogged the lines and / or the cooler core. If fluid could no longer flow through the cooler that would have overheated the trans. AFT can get hot enough to melt the plastic pistons and other plastic parts in the valve body during a malfunction. I wouldn't have though that possible until I saw one that did exactly that. If it was that hot you would have smelled it.

 

I smelled something a couple times....very slightly but never tought about coming from the tranni. Anyway, truck is under warranty, OEM converter reinstalled, nobody knows nothing , lets see what the dealer is going to do, I'll push for an 80E and pay the difference.

 

Well, good luck with that. Since GM does not offer choices in automatic transmissions there is no chance that will happen.

 

what type of sound was it making when going from 3rd to 4th? Mine makes a type of grinding sound. But only when its under a slight load. Doesnt do it when your going really easy on it or when your at WOT. Kinda scarry at times.

 

i have a 97 , converter went on highway ruined the whole tranny now looking for a conversion to a 4l80 to put in

 

Ok guys, here is the latest update.
James, you were right on the money, pump took a crap and all clutches are burnt. Hope to get the truck back tomorrow. Also tomorrow they are going to open up the TC to take a look inside. My guess is, if the TC looks good, it's still the culprit for the pump failing because of the power it has, pump ha sto work overtime. I am no expert but this is my guess. Am I wrong????

wannagofast,
Exactly the same noise I had, your 60E is not going to last long......unless you take some preventive measures, like Transgo shift it, maybe a new pump or tuning issues.

Like I said, I am no expert in trannies but I would like to know what happens to mine.
Truck is a Sierra 04 with only 15.000 miles, never went to the track but had a lot of fun on the Freeways and streets with the TC. One night I even killed a Z350

 

Ok well I got an update also. lol, To start with I have the built level 4 tranny from rockon. It has the shift kit/w 3 washers all the upgrades to the 65e and the vacum mod. Today I was playing with a guy that works with me that has a 01 firebird. Any ways, When I got about 10 miles down the road pulled up in the Pizzahut parking lot and there was a whine comming from under the truck. I was like "uhh oh" Went in, ate, then come back out about 30min later. The wine was gone but there was a slite knock coming from under? Drove about a 1/4 mile down the road to a gas station and every thing sounded fine? WTF? Any one ever heard of this? Not really worried though the tranny has warrenty.