Thread: 4t60e

With the info you provided it looks like you input apply clutches are burnt and not holding as well as they should, or the input apply piston is in very bad condition. This clutch applies in reverse and 1st gear and is really about the only common link between the two. In manual 1st range 3rd clutch is also applied for engine breaking and extra holding power and this is likely overcoming the slipping input clutch, that and the line pressure is quite a bit higher in manual 1st to aid in pulling up or coasting down a steep grade. There arent many other posibilities and unfortunately means rebuild.

Thank you very much for responding.

My first guess would have been the converter is going bad, as I thought the converter actually applies the drive pressure?

Also, and this will probably sound pretty strange, but when you mentioned line pressure I immediately thought of some way to increase the pressure without disassembly i.e. an external pump installed between the cooling lines to the radiator. In theory, could an external pump (like maybe a fuel pump) actually help? A fuel pump would be inexpensive, easily mountable under the hood, probably applies roughly the pressure needed, and is designed to run a similar chemical.

I only paid 1K for the car and would be happy to get another year out of it before buying something else.