What year is this 4l60e transmission/ is it interchangeable?

[allenstoltzfus]

I recently bought a 2005 Astro Van that started to throw the P0894 "transmission slipping" code. The van runs and shifts great but the code only came on about 100 miles ago.

When I purchased the van, the seller threw in a spare transmission since the original transmission had some issue before a fluid flush temporarily fixed the issue. My questions are:

- Are all 4l60e transmission interchangeable and can I guarantee the spare I have will fit? It says "8KCD" on a barcode tag on the transmission (see attached pictures)

- Should I put a new torque converter on? Can the P0894 code be a result of a bad torque converter?

Thanks in advance!

[sixsix]

I would feel Most Important if I was to know.

[90safari]

How well do you trust the seller? If you're not sure, I'd take the spare trans to a good rebuilder, and have them go thru it (that's just me, plus I know a guy that I trust). I only say that, as that trans might be a good core, or it might be a good used one, but you have to install it it to find out. Personally I'd rather install a good known good one that had just been gone thru. Needless to say, I've been burned on a few over the years.

[CopperFiremist]

That trans came out of a 1998 I would have someone go through it If I were you. New Torque Converter, trans cooler.

[icebrrg3rd]

I'm going to say no, they aren't all the same. Off the top of my head, the RWD & AWD have different cases. I know the 4.3 and the 5.0/5.7 have similar bellhousing, but if it's for another motor (5.3), there is a chance that's different. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable might chime in with other differences (or if they ARE all the same).

I know of other automatics that I've worked with/on (Chryslers) where even when the case is the same, the internals are different (gearing, strength) and/or the electronics differ (plugs, programs, etc). So without knowing where it came from, it might be a crapshoot. If it was me, and I already had the spare transmission, after comparing the cases, I'd install it myself, as a transmission isn't all that hard to swap out (compared to a FWD). If you were paying someone to do it, then I'd be a lot more hesitant to just swap it w/o knowing if it is a good one.

-Andrew

[Big_kid]

Check Wikkipedia, I think there was a good writeup on there. Also check this one out:
https://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/t ... atic/4l60e

[allenstoltzfus]

Thanks everyone for the responses so far and continue to offer advice. I took the spare transmission to a local shop and he was confident it will fit. Since I do not know the actual condition of the spare tranny, I am paying the shop $200 to take apart the tranny and inspect it for general wear (clutch plate condition, etc). If the spare checks out, I will likely install it myself.
I will say I am still a little confused to the exact interchangeability of the 4l60e, but the shop was confident it would fit...

[CopperFiremist]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An2tp8uo3Fs

[Bikley]

^^^ what he said.

[Toskavat]

Coppers youtube link is something I downloaded and saved back when I did my first 4L60E rebuild. That fellow knows his stuff. He used to have rebuild videos on his website/store that you could download, these are also in my stash of info that I keep. Nice to deal with and willing to help people. He's in Georgia not far from Augusta.

[allenstoltzfus]

So this has been interesting...

I have the van at a reputable transmission shop who did an in depth look at the P0894 code. I was getting slippage of a little over 500 rpms at certain points. Confirmed slippage internally.

They thought the replacement tranny would fit. Turns out it didn't; the input shaft was a different size and the overall length was slightly different.

I was then going to source a rebuilt transmission that fit, but it seems like the original transmission was a bit of an oddball compared to other 4l60e transmissions of similar years. I watched the above youtube video, did a ton of research, and thought I had it figured out.

The original transmission has the following:
- No bolt hole on the top of the bellhousing (this is weird since I thought 2000 and on 4l60e's had the top bolt hole...)
- Green wiring connector
- 13 pin connector on the wiring connector

The replacement transmission that didn't fit:
- No bolt hole on the top of the transmission
- Green wiring connector
- 13 pin connector
- 8KCD ID code: 8 (1998); KC (5.3 liter); D (4l60e) - The year and the engine size may have both been the problem

What still confuses me is why the original transmission did not have a top bolt hole on the bellhousing since it is from a 2005. The transmission shop did say that the original transmission looks like an oddball compared to 4l60e's of similar years.

Solution: (And this is what I should have done all along): The shop is doing a light rebuild of the original: new torque converter, new solenoid kit (TCC, etc), and rebuild the valve body. He is also going to remove and inspect the clutch plates for wear.

Total cost - $1200. I should have done this originally and saved the headache... thanks all for input and feel free to chime in with info on the 05 Astro transmission as I'm still confused.

[AstroWill]

Glad to hear you are getting it fixed.

According to a quick glance at interchange, the 2005 Astro/Safari transmission is compatible with the 2005 Astro/Blazer only.