The dreaded P1870

[2DR4EVR]

Well I got back from a long trip and as I left the airport the Service Engine light was saying hello to me. Had it checked out and its the 1870 code. Had that checked out further and long story short, I'm going to need a rebuild.

This will be rebuild number 3 after 185K so I've been down this road before. I haven't had much luck with transmissions. And I don't tow anything.

Since it's going to come out I was wondering if there are any upgrades or mods that are popular with folks. I'm keeping the truck until I die so I'm willing to go the extra mile.

Another thing....I have push button electronic 4 wheel. It goes into 4 low but doesn't feel like HI is engaging and it blinks all the time. If I switched out the transfer case would this correct the issue? I'm sure it's electric.

 

[KPOD]

The first few times you've had it rebuilt, did the rebuilder use the HD rebuild kit or Corvette cervos?

 

[Donnie Yukonie]

go with jasper tranny 3 year 100k mile warrenty they rengineer GMs verison to correct old issues with the 4l60E transmission , which IMO is junk i am too on number 3 but just got mine rebuilt with jasper you will pay a little more out of pocket but its worth it esp for an investment like that GM only offered me a 12 month 12k warrenty on a rebuild? for about the same amount of money
go to any reputable shop and ask if they install Jasper transmissions , Jasper actually has to certify mech shops to sell and install there transmissions and they stand behind there product

 

[retorq]

The first few times you've had it rebuilt, did the rebuilder use the HD rebuild kit or Corvette cervos?

Servo ...

Popular upgrades are the same the car verisons get, stronger sunshell, commonly referred to as the beast, shift correction kit, upgraded planetaries, thicker seperator plate, new convertor, upgraded servo assembly, I would also go with a thicker pan and a bigger after market cooler.

 

[JenneK]

Interesting. Most of the time the P1870 points to the valve body issue known to the 4L60E. You sure it needs a full rebuild?

 

[Donnie Yukonie]

well it wouldnt hurt to be honest it might have already damaged some parts

 

[2DR4EVR]

Interesting. Most of the time the P1870 points to the valve body issue known to the 4L60E. You sure it needs a full rebuild?

Well I've only put about 50 miles on it since the code popped up. Driving around it feels fine. Brought it to a different shop because my original shop was on vacation for the 4th.

One thing I noticed is a strong burning odor....That can't be good. The tech identified the problem with the torque converter....particular in Overdrive. The wiring harness checked out so that leaves internal components. I may get lucky and it's something minor. I'll find out Monday when i get into it.

Thanks for the some of the tips. I would like to put a tow kit on it. I sense some boat hauling in my future.

 

[KPOD]

BTW, what rims are those? I like them

 

[SunlitComet]

there is a fix for the 1870 code in a kit. how many miles in current one. if it smells burnt thenyou need to change the fluid and filter first. if damage continues to burn it then it may have gone to far. just do pan drop and filter and refill. do not .

And btw any reputable tranny shop including a reman actual gm unit incorporates design improvements to fix week spots and known early killers. not just jasper.

do see anything out of the norm in your pic but you have an odd tire size or gear ratio installed? an all high way vehicle would not see a fluid filter change on its tranny for at least a minimum of 100,000 miles.

as for the tcase which light blink and when? and what function did you select that gives you that response?

 

[bottomline2000]

Didn't find anyone willing to throw up a 3 year warranty like jasper though. They even built mine with the shift kit installed so they knew I was gone beat on it but they added the 11x11 cooler and lines too.

Trans work doesn't seem to be hard but keeping it clean while doing the repair seems to be a big deal.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

 

[2DR4EVR]

BTW, what rims are those? I like them

There made by Pro Comp. The Knight Chrome edition. When clean, they're a shiny black. And when they get dirty they actually turn into a gun metal finish. I haven't seen anybody else with them so that's cool. There relativity new to the market. When I ordered them it took like 6 months to get them because they were'nt actually being produced....it was like a prelaunch order. No wait time for them now I'd bet.

http://www.bing.com/shopping/search?q=pro+comp+knight+chrome&qpvt=pro+comp+knight+chrome&FORM=HURE

---------- Post added at 11:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:30 AM ----------

there is a fix for the 1870 code in a kit. how many miles in current one. if it smells burnt thenyou need to change the fluid and filter first. if damage continues to burn it then it may have gone to far. just do pan drop and filter and refill. do not .

And btw any reputable tranny shop including a reman actual gm unit incorporates design improvements to fix week spots and known early killers. not just jasper.

do see anything out of the norm in your pic but you have an odd tire size or gear ratio installed? an all high way vehicle would not see a fluid filter change on its tranny for at least a minimum of 100,000 miles.

as for the tcase which light blink and when? and what function did you select that gives you that response?

You know Sunlit, I am running an unusual combo in regards to the tires. The truck should probably be lifted. It's stock and the T-BARS are wound all the way up and they fit by a **** hair. That did cross my mind.....oh and I was wrong. This would be rebuild number 4. Not 3...forgot about one. First one was my fault...Too big of a boat too far....the others just plain bad luck. I don't tow or offroad and I'm good about staying on top of any problems.

I should probably mention I gut a huuuge lag when I'm at freeway speeds and try to pass or merge.....Like it redlines and wont downshift.......it will, but it's never taking as long as it does in the trucks life. Feels like the engine would blow if I don't back off.

I'm going to have a talk with the shop who rebuilt it last time. I trust the guys there...friend of friends shop. AAMCO was the one that broke the news to me by the way.

I'll bring up some the things you mentioned and see what they say.

In regards to the 4x4, 2 wheel the light is steady and all is well. I switch to 4HI it just blinks and I don't hear or feel anything engage. When I select 4Low it goes in, rather violently to. But the light still blinks even after being engaged. I tried going in Reverse to see if 4hi would engage....but nothing. Just blinks.

 

[SunlitComet]

for harsh sifts ave your TPS tested full sweep for anomalies. incorrectly installed shift kits if you had that done can cause premature failures too. i was just concerned you tire size gear combo maybe stressing out your tranny. your 4lo violence is normal. wile it is still blinking after going 4lo put in gear to see if switched gears completely. the blinking light indicates an incomplete mode change like it sifts the t case but te front axle does not lock in to the rest of the system. there is a feed back switch on front axle tat tells the tcase controller that the front axle locked in. when it does the light goes solid. te original actuataor can be slow and worse not engage at all. there is a retrofit as well as stock replacement. when given power it heats a gas chamber expanding out and pushing a rod outward that moves the locking collar in the front axle. you can take it out and test it if you want. However in my case mine is fine. there is a switch on the tcase ten when it shifts o any 4wd mode the switch closes sending power to axle actuator. the problem with mine is that during an actual shift it powers the actuator but when the tcase finishes its part of the shift the switch opens again. therefore 4i or low in rear only and front driveshaft and half of front axle so to speak. the is a mechanical device called a sector cam in the tcase that depresses that switch and for whatever reason mine is worn somehow. hoping to fix before winter.

 

[willxfs]

Check out this link. This shop seems to build a pretty stout 4L60E. I just bought the Level 3 a couple of months ago. Tranny runs great. 1-2 shift is stiff with slow/low rpm's. Normal with more gas. I'm thinking thats a product of the shift Kit or upgraded servo. Anyway this site will give you ideas of all the possible upgrades for the 4L60E. Hope this helps.

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/4l60e.htm

 

[2DR4EVR]

Well good news to report. I took it my local shop and it turns as it turns out it was the valve causing the issues.

Makes me wonder about AAMCO. They wanted to tear it apart and sell me on a rebuild.