Vehicle - 1999 Chevy Cavalier - Just purchased for $650, 2.2L SOHC, 175K miles. I
Went to Autozone and they scanned my car. Coad came back P1870.
1st question
Engine Code# P1870
Transmission Slipping in 4th Gear
Why am I getting an engine code for a transmission?
Explanation
Transmission is in 4th gear with the TCC engaged and the ECM has detected excessive slippage when comparing the input speed to the output shaft speed
Probable cause
Trailer towing - No Hitch on this car
Fluid level low - Checked it 1/2 pint low if that, still plenty on the xxxxxxx
Internal Transmission Fault
Anybody else had this problem?
If so whats this going to cost me to rebuild or should I get another Transmission?
With 175K that makes sense. It's easier to just buy another transmission as the 4t40e is pretty common. I actually replaced mine for the hell of it at 153k with a low mileage unit out of an '03 Malibu. Just keep checking eBay...
You have an OHV btw
Cruisin4DrCav wrote:With 175K that makes sense. It's easier to just buy another transmission as the 4t40e is pretty common. I actually replaced mine for the hell of it at 153k with a low mileage unit out of an '03 Malibu. Just keep checking eBay...
You have an OHV btw
The plan right now is to talk to a transmission shop. I want to jump on ebay or get one elsewhere but what if I get another bad one? None on ebay in my area so to pay $175+ for shipping on anything is out of the question. I really dont want to be changing transmissions back and forth because I'm not doing it so I cant afford it. My other problem is, what if the sensors are bad? There is an input and output sensors? Where to start! It wont pass E-check because of a stinkin transmission slip!
Ok, back to a positive note!!!!! I took the 99 Cavi into the Transmission shop today so the guy could scan it! It came back with the same code and he said it was the Converter Solinoide! I was like I knew that, but the code said the transmission was slipping! The mechanic said NOPE its the Converter Solinoide and we can fix it for $250. Does that sound fair? Not sure. But while I was there he cleared the codes and I took it to E-check and it PASSED!!!!!!!!! Woo Hooooooo No Transmission needed!!!!! Looks like I'll be looking up some info on changing that part!!!!
It wasnt bad to change in my beretta, not sure how different it us on a cavalier, only a 20 dollar part for me
I need to change the same part on my daughters '88 Grand Am. I'm just not sure if I need to pull the axle or not. I should get a shop manual for this car because I cant afford to pay to have 2 of these parts replaced. I think I can get a shop manual for about $35. Anybody else have any good Ideas about changing this part? Thanks again
Greg Raycher wrote:I need to change the same part on my daughters '88 Grand Am. I'm just not sure if I need to pull the axle or not. I should get a shop manual for this car because I cant afford to pay to have 2 of these parts replaced. I think I can get a shop manual for about $35. Anybody else have any good Ideas about changing this part? Thanks again
If its similar to my beretta (1988 2.8 v6 3speed) you only have to remove the tire, support the car and jack up the motor/trans some to make room to get the cover off. The cover is in front of the axle and can be accessed through one of the flaps in the wheel well. Just remove the old solenoid, cut wires (new one will have quick connectors since they are a universal part) also might have to cut the mount bracket to make it fit correctly (another universal thing)
Alternatively you can unplug the sensor in the meantime and it will run fine, just wont go into full lockup. When you do get to doing it just make sure you get the correct solenoid for your trans and the gasket for the cover
That'll work! I appreciate the advice!
yeah you could just replace the converter solenoid and be on your way its not one of the easiest replacement jobs but its not as bad as replacing the entire trans of course
TCC solenoid failure is pretty common it was even mroe common in the 80s gm cars than it is in the 90s ones now but still is a problem out there on many
ford focus trannies have a common shift solnoid failure as do some other makes and models out there, i just replaced a ford focus shift solnoid and those are really simple easy ones to replace they are just under the bottom trans pan and one 10mm bolt out in the open really easy after you remove the filter screen
simple as cake and only 40 bucks at the dealer for the solenoid
-96 cavalier 2.2 auto 143k miles
My dad had a older gm vehicle with a bad solenoid and it would stall when u stopped and had to wait for it to cool down..he asked a local transmission shop about it and they simply told him to unplug it....u lose your overdrive and ur gas mileage goes down some but we were able to keep on driving with no problem....not sure that this will help your situation, just wanted to put in my 2cent of past experience..
