CD4E transmission failure is fairly common in 150k+ mile service. This is unfortunate and often misunderstood. The transmission itself is actually a pretty good and reliable unit, but has one major issue which if not resolved will result in total transmission failure. The TCC torque converter circuit has an issue with wear occurring on the valve body valve cylinders, allowing fluid to pass by, causing the torque converter to engage intermittently when it should not. I have experienced this when driving down the road, feels like drivetrain bucking. I have also experienced this with the vehicle running, but parked in a spot.
The intermittent engagement of the TCC causes the idling engine to stumble but not stall (at least in my case). The Transgo shift-kit that I installed includes a new valve which is redesigned to seal on a new and unworn surface of the valve body cylinder. This kit will totally resolve the TCC issue I discussed and can prevent total transmission failure. Installation was not particularly easy or quick. Removing the valve body requires removing the transmission oil pan, which requires removal of battery, radiator hoses, cover panels, etc.
The internal work and installation of the shift kit on the valve body take about 2 hours, plus any time cleaning the old gaskets and preparing the valve body plates to go back together. I took about 10 hours total to complete this job. It is achievable at home, but was definitely one of the more involved jobs I have attempted at home. There are good instructional videos on Youtube for this subject by Automatic Transmission (channel name) technician is Hiram.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
CD4E transmission failure is fairly common in 150k+ mile service. This is unfortunate and often misunderstood. The transmission itself is actually a pretty good and reliable unit, but has one major issue which if not resolved will result in total transmission failure. The TCC torque converter circuit has an issue with wear occurring on the valve body valve cylinders, allowing fluid to pass by, causing the torque converter to engage intermittently when it should not. I have experienced this when driving down the road, feels like drivetrain bucking. I have also experienced this with the vehicle running, but parked in a spot.
The intermittent engagement of the TCC causes the idling engine to stumble but not stall (at least in my case). The Transgo shift-kit that I installed includes a new valve which is redesigned to seal on a new and unworn surface of the valve body cylinder. This kit will totally resolve the TCC issue I discussed and can prevent total transmission failure. Installation was not particularly easy or quick. Removing the valve body requires removing the transmission oil pan, which requires removal of battery, radiator hoses, cover panels, etc.
The internal work and installation of the shift kit on the valve body take about 2 hours, plus any time cleaning the old gaskets and preparing the valve body plates to go back together. I took about 10 hours total to complete this job. It is achievable at home, but was definitely one of the more involved jobs I have attempted at home. There are good instructional videos on Youtube for this subject by Automatic Transmission (channel name) technician is Hiram.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAVjLeQd94Q
- Eric F., Easley, SC, US