Automatic Transmission Service for the 1984 to 1996 Corvette

Time: 1 hours

Tools: 3/8” drive metric sockets

Talent: (4)

Applicable Years: 1984 to 1996

Tab: $50.00

Tip: Make sure you ask a lot questions before you let a shop tear into your transmission. The expense is great and a lot of things can happen to your car while it’s in the shop. Make sure you find a top quality shop. The quality of the work is going to be a lot more important that final price.

Complementary Work: If you’re considering the installation of a shift kit in your automatic keep in mind that you’ll also be changing the fluid and filter at that time.

If you own a 1984 to 1996 Corvette you probably have an automatic transmission. Most Corvette owners prefer the automatic transmissions to the manual transmission. This means that most of you reading this article have an automatic transmission in your Corvette.

The good part is that very little ever goes wrong with these automatics. These are very solid transmissions and seldom need repair. The most common reason for repair is simple abuse and the most damaging abuse comes from neglect.

Since most of you purchased your C4 Corvette on the used car market there’s a need to check out the transmission. You can make two very simple checks. First, you should check the fluid level. Make sure you do this when the car is completely warmed up. Also, make sure you always check the car with the engine running.

Checking the Fluid Level

This one is supposed to be so easy I shouldn’t even have to write about it. On the other hand, after twenty years in the service business and a few years with a major transmission chain, I have to point out that very few people know how to properly check the level of the automatic transmission fluid. Low fluid levels are a major reason that automatic transmissions have to be repaired.

One last point is that you should never check the fluid immediately after coming off the interstate. High speed driving will give you a false reading on the dipstick, or as GM calls it, the fluid level indicator blade. Wait at least three minutes with the car in Park before you check the fluid level.

You not only need to see that the transmission is properly filled but you also want to get an indication about the condition of the fluid. After you remove the dipstick place it on a white paper towel. The fluid should soak into the towel fairly easily. If the fluid doesn’t readily soak into the paper towel and/or is black in color it’s probably compacted with fiber material which is the first sign of clutch wear.

If you can actually see clutch material on the paper towel then you can be almost certain that the clutches need to be replaced. Just for comparison drop some brand new Dexron III ATF fluid next to the spot being checked. This will give you a good side by side comparison of how drastically your fluid may have changed since it was last serviced.

Maintenance

The only thing you need to do is change the fluid and filter on a regular basis.  I’m a fanatic about regular fluid and filter changes for an automatic transmission. I recommend that you change it on an annual basis even though that may be a little excessive.

I will offer one suggestion though: If you have over 75,000 miles on your car, and you’re pretty certain it still contains the original factory installed fluid, don’t change anything. There’s a good chance that the dirt and crud inside your transmission is what’s holding it together. At this point any possible damage has been done and changing the fluid and filter might only make things worse. Just start putting money aside for a rebuilt transmission.

Corvettes haven’t had a factory-equipped drain plug since the old Powerglide days. Changing the automatic transmission fluid in a Corvette requires dropping, or removing, the oil pan. Some shops use transmission service equipment that can replace the fluid without dropping the transmission pan. This equipment either taps into the ATF oil cooler lines or connects to the dipstick filler tube. The problem with this approach is that the service doesn’t include a filter change. The only way to change the filter is to drop the oil pan. You should be more concerned about changing the filter than you are about changing the fluid.

If you decide to change your own transmission filter make sure you get the car as high as possible. The higher the car is off the ground the easier this job will be. Next I would put some large plastic sheeting on the garage floor. Make sure that you spread it the width of the entire car and possibly three feet in front of and behind the transmission. Just assume you’re going to make a mess. It wouldn’t hurt to have a bag of kitty litter handy as well.

Pan gasket and filter sets are available at your local discount parts house. They may be either boxed or in flat shrink-wrap packages. Flat shrink wraps are typically used with cork pan gaskets to protect the gasket from bending that could damage it. Rubber (neoprene) pan gaskets, on the other hand, are flexible and can be folded to fit in a box. Different technicians have different preferences as to which is the best gasket material to use.

One thing you don’t need is silicone gasket material that comes in a tube. Silicone gasket material can cause you more problems than you can imagine. When you use silicone gasket material it’s squeezed between the transmission body and the pan. You’ll notice how it squeezes out of the sealing faces. Just keep in mind that just as much has been squeezed into the oil pan area. If this material gets loose inside the pan there’s a very good chance it will find it’s way into internals of the transmission and clog a very important passage.

In addition to the pan and gasket set you’ll also need four or more quarts of Dexron III ATF to refill the transmission. The transmission’s fluid capacity is important because automatics must be run very close to the full level, and never over that level. Overfilling your automatic transmission can aerate the fluid causing shifting problems. Underfilling can cause slow engagement and slipping. The amount of ATF required is usually listed in the vehicle owners manual. Also, make sure you read the dipstick properly.

Don’t forget proper lighting. It’s dark under your Corvette and you want to make sure that you see everything that’s going on. This is one case where those inexpensive halogen lights carried by Home Depot come in very handy. They focus the light directly into the correct area.

When you have the oil pan down check for metal shavings and other debris which are indicators of impending transmission problems. Some shavings in the oil pan are normal – don’t be alarmed. You only need to worry if you find lots of fiber material and big chunks of metal. If you do find a lot of material don’t be alarmed – you didn’t hurt anything. Just continue on the task and remember to start setting some money aside for a rebuilt transmission.

Additives

A lot of additives are sold on the market for transmissions. None of them are good for your transmission. The only time I would use and additive is out of desperation. A case in point is where the seals have started to leak and you want to postpone any real repair. The additives designed to stop leaks contain chemicals that swell the seals and gaskets to reduce fluid leakage. This might hold you over until you can reduce the balance on your Visa card so your transmission can be properly repaired. Just don’t think of it as a real repair.

Getting Your Transmission Back

One thing you need to be concerned about with a Corvette is that your car comes back  from the repair shop with it’s own transmission. The large transmission shops always keep a variety of units on the shelf. That’s how they can offer same day service on a transmission repair. Since the transmission used in the Corvette is popular across the GM product line they may have a couple on the shelf.

You need to carefully explain to the shop that you want your transmission rebuilt, not simply a rebuilt transmission. Then just to be on the safe side crawl under the car with a light and locate the VIN number on your transmission. This VIN number can be in more than a half dozen locations so check carefully.  Then when you get your car back home check this number again.

This might not seem important to you right now but trust me at some point it will be a big deal. Just ask the people who own 1968 and 1972 Corvettes how much they would be willing to pay to get the original transmission back in their Corvettes. Having the original driveline in your Corvette will become a big deal at some point. Don’t neglect it now.

8-18-1.tif: It’s important to keep track of the fluid level in your transmission. It may sound a little silly if you know what you’re doing, but on the other hand fluid neglect is the single largest cause of transmission failure. Make sure you read the dipstick correctly and that you also check the condition of the fluid at the same time. You really won’t look all that silly with your nose on the dipstick to check for a burning smell. You’ll feel a lot sillier if you have to get a home equity loan to pay for a new transmission in your Corvette.

8-28-2.tif: Check the VIN Number before you take the car to a transmission shop. The Vehicle Identification Number could be in any one of six different locations. Just keep looking until you find the numbers. While you’re under the car you can also copy down the Identification Code which has a lot of interesting information once you decode the letters and numbers.

IMG005IMG0005: The automatic transmission in the C4 Corvette began life as the 700 R4 and ended up being called the 4L60-E. Basically it was the same transmission except that a lot of the hydraulic functions were handled by electronics in the later years. It was still a 4-speed transmission and it still had fluid and a filter that needed changing. All of the changes were part of the quest for improved fuel mileage and smoother shifting.

IMG006IMG006: Transmission builders will argue the merits of different gaskets for the next several decades. Actually, if you look around a transmission shop you’ll most likely find a variety of different materials. The real secret to keeping your transmission oil pan from leaking is to make sure that both surfaces are very clean and you use a torque wrench to tighten the oil pan bolts evenly, using a variation of the star pattern you use when tightening lug nuts.

8-58-5.tif: The interesting thing is that for all the parts that are involved in an automatic most technicians would much rather rebuild an automatic transmission than a manual transmission. When your transmission is rebuilt everything comes out of the case and then parts are checked, replaced and everything goes back in as a stack

.

Make sure you specify that you want a total rebuild if you have your transmission rebuilt. Some shops only repair the first broken item they find and stop. Everything is put back together and they hope it holds long enough for the check to clear. Stay away from that sort of shop. Ask questions and shop around.

This is an adaptation from Richard Newton’s most recent book 101 Projects for Your Corvette 1984 – 1996. He has also written two other best selling Corvette One deals with the 1968 to 1982 Corvettes, How to Restore and Modify Your Corvette 1968-82 , while another deals with the Sting Rays from 1963 to 1967, Corvette Restoration Guide 1963-1967 All  of these books are available from Corvette Central.

30 thoughts to “Automatic Transmission Service for the 1984 to 1996 Corvette”

  1. Good morning, I just found this thread and I just recently purchased my very first Corvette. It’s 93 Corvette with the LT1. Love the car !!! I have always wanted one. But I have a problem, when the car shifts from 1rst to 2nd under hard acceleration it make chatter/shutter as it shifts. But under normal driving it acts like it should. The fluid looks like pinkish light brown. And it has smell to it but I wouldn’t call it a burnt smell. Do you think a fluid and filter change would fix it ? And the car has 103,500 miles on it
    Any help would be appreciated

  2. Hello, thank you for the perfect article. I have a Vette C4 1986 when the oil in the transmission is cold, it shifts easily and smoothly, up and down, the response to the accelerator is perfect. If the oil warms up to operating temperature, shifting suddenly becomes uncertain and slow. The gearbox hesitates for a moment as to how to engage. Downshifting to a lower gear is hesitant and slow, especially when pressing the accelerator hard. I also set up the TV cable again, but no change. Please advise where the problem may be.

    1. Could be anything from low/dirty fluid and filter to worn gears or other serious issues. I’d recommend checking the fluid, then change if need be. Beyond that, have it diagnosed by a professional.

  3. My 1996 LT1 corvette doesn’t like to shift up at WOT at lower rpms it shifts like a breeze but when it shifts closer to the dev limiter it just keeps rising until I let off the gas

  4. I enjoyed reading your article. I have a C4 corvette 1995 Lt1 engine and I’m having an issue with the transmission. Once I shift the car to the D it goe to 1&2 shift, then it stays there and the rpm goes higher. I don’t have any burning oil smell . Do you think it might need a rebuild?
    Thank you!

    1. That problem could have several causes – best to visit a reputable shop to get their take.

      Regards,
      Gus
      Corvette Central Product Assistance

    1. Check the speed sensor behind the pan. Mine had a small leak too so I rolled under and that is where it was coming from.

  5. Have an 85 corvette with automatic transmission – original owner. I really don’t drive it much and recently the trans is slipping or not engaging into the 4th gear, so going over 35mph is interesting. 1st, 2nd and 3rd seem to be ok and manually shifting works good. Trans fluid looks good and if there was an issue, I didn’t read the trans dip stick correctly, so it was low. I’m fairly handy around cars (such as installing new head gasket in GM v6), but I don’t have lift for the corvette to get under to attempt the trans fluid change. So should I try changing the trans fluid and filter to if it cures the issue? Or just take it into shop that can rebuilt the 3-4 clutch pak?
    I adjusted the tv cable and the low gears shift much smoother.

  6. I have a brand new filter and fluid at the proper level but after a short ride it leaks a puddle out of the breather pipe on the trans I don’t know what to do

  7. I have a problem with my car won’t go into park we’re going to park but it won’t lock in with the button pops up I wondered how to adjust it

  8. Hi , Really perfect article. Please also give advice. I have a Corvette C4 r.87 if the transmission shifts up to 3-4 and at speeds above 100 km / h, the C4 will start to shake very much. Shaking stops when the foot is removed from the gas. We don’t know where to look for a mistake. Please help . Thanks Josef

  9. I have a 1985 c4 with automatic transmission it goes into reverse and drive ok but after driving it for 15 minutes it won’t go into reverse I have to stop the engine then restart the engine and then it will engage reverse any ideas?

    Thank you

  10. Angelo
    I have a 1985 C4 that has been sitting for 3 years. The transmission goes into drive and reverse hard. I will check the fluid as well as the TV cable..Thankyou for the suggestions, most helpful .

  11. I have a 1995 C5 with 66000 miles on the clock and have with what seems to be an occassional automatic transmission problem.
    On occassion and quite unexpectedly whilst driving normally, the car will not change up and out of 1st gear and then when pushing the revs without an increase in speed she will then change suddenly and jolt forward and the change into the next gear will then be successfully achieved.
    Then after limping to my destination in first gear, and when the car is stationary for about an hour or so, the transmission will again behave quite normally and the shifting through the gears will be very smooth once again.
    As I mentioned this is an occassional problem and my driving the car yesterday presented absolutely no problems whatsoever.
    Could there be an intermitant problem be with one of the shift sensors?
    I would appreciate receiving your valued response

  12. I have a 91 corvette I just bought it has been running great for about 4 to 5 days now all of a sudden it will not go into 3rd or 4th gear it goes into 1st and 2nd can someone help please

  13. I’m looking at a 1991 c4. It goes in gear until it gets up to running temperature than it doesn’t go into gear again can anyone help

    1. It is tough to say, as I don’t see this particular set of symptoms outlined in the automatic trans section of the GM Shop Service guide, and there isn’t much around the web with this exact issue. My recommendation would be to start by checking/replacing the fluid, inspecting the shifter and cable, then moving on to the T.V. cable as outlined in the previous reply from July.

  14. Hello, I have an 1985 corvette the car jumps when shifting from park to drive and also from drive to reverse new oil and filter has been done is there any adjustment that needs to be done?

    1. Check for a worn or broken transmission mount. If this is OK, It could possibly be an issue with the T.V. cable. Refer to section 7A (automatic transmission) in your GM Shop Service manual. It states that if the T.V. cable is broken, sticky, misadjusted, or the incorrect part for the model, the vehicle may exhibit various malfunctions. Be sure the transmission oil level is correct, inspect the cable for damage and proper attachment, then consider adjusting. There is a “re-adjust” tab on the cable back from the throttle lever attachment. Depress the re-adjust tab. Move the slider back through the fitting, away from the throttle body until the slider stops against the fitting. Release the re-adjust tab. Open the throttle lever to “full throttle stop” position to automatically adjust cable. Release the throttle lever. Do not use excessive force when adjusting the T.V. Cable. If excessive force is required to adjust cable, it most likely needs replaced.

  15. Very good article. I have a 94 c4, when I have it in Park or Neutral seems to be ok but when I shift to R or D and drive, it sounds like a belt sound that increases synchronized with the engine revs. Shift changes are correct also fluid level, what are your thoughts?

  16. Really enjoyed reading your article. It was quite informative. I have a 1987 Corvette convertible with 53,000 miles. It drips transmission fluid but the mechanic cannot find the source. He has dropped the pan, changed the fluid, filter and gasket and torqued the bolts according to specs. He says there are no leaks around the pan. Is there someplace else the fluid can be leaking from?

    1. Dipstick tube seals tend to leak, especially if the car sits in storage for an extended period. You may want to check the shifter link/shaft on the driver side of the transmission as well.

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