This document provides information about the Hydra-matic 4L60-E transmission. It contains sections on the transmission's major mechanical components, principles of operation, power flow through each gear range, complete hydraulic circuits, lubrication points, part locations, and specifications. Detailed cutaway views and diagrams are provided to illustrate the mechanical and hydraulic functions and interactions of the transmission components.

1. HYDRA-MATIC 4L60-E
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................... 3
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK ...................................................................... 4
UNDERSTANDING THE GRAPHICS ....................................................... 6
TRANSMISSION CUTAWAY VIEW (FOLDOUT) ....................................... 8
GENERAL DESCRIPTION ....................................................................... 9
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION ............................................................... 9A
MAJOR MECHANICAL COMPONENTS (FOLDOUT) ...................... 10
RANGE REFERENCE CHART ......................................................... 11
TORQUE CONVERTER .................................................................. 12
APPLY COMPONENTS ................................................................. 15
PLANETARY GEAR SETS ............................................................. 24
HYDRAULIC CONTROL COMPONENTS ........................................ 26
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ........................................................ 36
POWER FLOW ...................................................................................... 45
COMPLETE HYDRAULIC CIRCUITS ..................................................... 73
LUBRICATION POINTS ......................................................................... 98
BUSHING AND BEARING LOCATIONS ................................................. 99
SEAL LOCATIONS .............................................................................. 100
ILLUSTRATED PARTS LIST ................................................................ 101
BASIC SPECIFICATIONS .................................................................... 112
PRODUCT DESIGNATION SYSTEM ................................................... 113
GLOSSARY ........................................................................................ 114
ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................... 116
INDEX ................................................................................................ 117
2

2. PREFACE
The Hydra-matic 4L60-E Technician’s Guide is intended for automotive
technicians that are familiar with the operation of an automatic transaxle or
transmission. Technicians or other persons not having automatic transaxle
or transmission know-how may find this publication somewhat technically
complex if additional instruction is not provided. Since the intent of this
book is to explain the fundamental mechanical, hydraulic and electrical
operating principles, technical terms used herein are specific to the
transmission industry. However, words commonly associated with the
specific transaxle or transmission function have been defined in a Glossary
rather than within the text of this book.
The Hydra-matic 4L60-E Technician’s Guide is also intended to assist
technicians during the service, diagnosis and repair of this transaxle.
However, this book is not intended to be a substitute for other General
Motors service publications that are normally used on the job. Since there
is a wide range of repair procedures and technical specifications specific to
certain vehicles and transmission models, the proper service publication
must be referred to when servicing the Hydra-matic 4L60-E transmission.
© COPYRIGHT 2000 POWERTRAIN GROUP
General Motors Corporation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
All information contained in this book is based on the latest data available
at the time of publication approval. The right is reserved to make product or
publication changes, at any time, without notice.
No part of any GM Powertrain publication may be reproduced, stored
in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means,
including but not limited to electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of
Powertrain Group of General Motors Corporation. This includes all
text, illustrations, tables and charts.
1

3. INTRODUCTION
The Hydra-matic 4L60-E Technician’s Guide is hydraulic fluid as it applies components or shifts
another Powertrain publication from the Technician’s valves in the system. Facing this partial page is a
Guide series of books. The purpose of this hydraulic schematic that shows the position of valves,
publication, as is the case with other Technician’s ball check valves, etc., as they function in a specific
Guides, is to provide complete information on the gear range.
theoretical operating characteristics of this
transmission. Operational theories of the mechanical, The third major section of this book displays the
hydraulic and electrical components are presented in “Complete Hydraulic Circuit” for specific gear
a sequential and functional order to better explain ranges. Foldout pages containing fluid flow
their operation as part of the system. schematics and two dimensional illustrations of major
components graphically display hydraulic circuits.
In the first section of this book entitled “Principles This information is extremely useful when tracing
of Operation”, exacting explanations of the major fluid circuits for learning or diagnosis purposes.
components and their functions are presented. In
every situation possible, text describes component The “Appendix” section of this book provides
operation during the apply and release cycle as well additional transmission information regarding
as situations where it has no effect at all. The lubrication circuits, seal locations, illustrated parts
descriptive text is then supported by numerous lists and more. Although this information is available
graphic illustrations to further emphasize the in current model year Service Manuals, its inclusion
operational theories presented. provides for a quick reference guide that is useful to
the technician.
The second major section entitled “Power Flow”,
blends the information presented in the “Principles Production of the Hydra-matic 4L60-E Technician’s
of Operation” section into the complete transmission Guide was made possible through the combined efforts
assembly. The transfer of torque from the engine of many staff areas within the General Motors Powertrain
through the transmission is graphically displayed on Group. As a result, the Hydra-matic 4L60-E Technician’s
a full page while a narrative description is provided Guide was written to provide the user with the most
on a facing half page. The opposite side of the half current, concise and usable information available
page contains the narrative description of the regarding this product.
3

4. HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
First time users of this book may find the page layout specific fluid circuits that enable the mechanical
a little unusual or perhaps confusing. However, with components to operate. The mechanical power
a minimal amount of exposure to this format its flow is graphically displayed on a full size page
usefulness becomes more obvious. If you are and is followed by a half page of descriptive text.
unfamiliar with this publication, the following The opposite side of the half page contains the
guidelines are helpful in understanding the functional narrative description of the hydraulic fluid as it
intent for the various page layouts: applies components or moves valves in the system.
Facing this partial page is a hydraulic schematic
• Read the following section, “Understanding the which shows the position of valves, ball check
Graphics” to know how the graphic illustrations valves, etc., as they function in a specific gear
are used, particularly as they relate to the range. Also, located at the bottom of each half
mechanical power flow and hydraulic controls page is a reference to the Complete Hydraulic
(see Understanding the Graphics page 6). Circuit section that follows.
• Unfold the cutaway illustration of the Hydra- • The Complete Hydraulic Circuits section
matic 4L60-E (page 8) and refer to it as you (beginning on page 73) details the entire hydraulic
progress through each major section. This system. This is accomplished by using a foldout
cutaway provides a quick reference of component circuit schematic with a facing page two
location inside the transmission assembly and dimensional foldout drawing of each component.
their relationship to other components. The circuit schematics and component drawings
display only the fluid passages for that specific
• The Principles of Operation section (beginning on operating range.
page 9A) presents information regarding the major
apply components and hydraulic control • Finally, the Appendix section contains a schematic
components used in this transmission. This section of the lubrication flow through the transmission,
describes “how” specific components work and disassembled view parts lists and transmission
interfaces with the sections that follow. specifications. This information has been included
to provide the user with convenient reference
• The Power Flow section (beginning on page 45) information published in the appropriate vehicle
presents the mechanical and hydraulic functions Service Manuals. Since component parts lists
corresponding to specific gear ranges. This section and specifications may change over time, this
builds on the information presented in the information should be verified with Service
Principles of Operation section by showing Manual information.
4

5. HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
LARGE CUTAWAY VIEW HALF PAGE TEXT FOR EASY RANGE REFERENCE CHART
OF TRANSMISSION REFERENCE TO BOTH PAGES
(FOLDOUT)
RK g
PA nnin
u
eR
➤
gin
En )
k (P
PARK Par PARK
the oil
➤
r in the
HYDRA-MATIC 4L60-E leve from ing:
➤
(Engine Running) (Engine Running)
ctor re llow
sele essu e fo g- TORQUE
NO POWER the line pr to th ): Re CONVERTER
CASE REVERSE INPUT CLUTCH OVERRUN FORWARD FORWARD 3-4 INPUT LO AND LO ROLLER REACTION OUTPUT 1
POWER FROM
2
POWERFLOW LO & REVERSE TRANSMITTED TO Withtion, rected lve(218 re)
su
ASSEMBLY
ASSEMBLY INPUT CLUTCH HOUSING CLUTCH CLUTCH SPRAG CL CLUTCH PLANETARY REVERSE CLUTCH PLANETARY SHAFT TORQUE TERMINATED CLUTCH OUTPUT SHAFT posip is di lator Vae pres LOW AND REVERSE
CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
ASSEMBLY GEARSET CLUTCH ASSEMBLY GEARSET CONVERTER APPLIED (687) m Regu ut (lin ission
pu re outp nsm p
(1) su p tra m
Press pumto the hen pu and
m
ulaterding ts. Wthe de m
accoiremeneds fluid fro
requut excesure, lator
outp e presre regu
of lin essu
pr
#9
➤
➤
the
RELEASE
➤
➤
APPLY
➤
➤
➤
➤
➤
COOLER #10
➤ LO/REV
1c
PR
LUBE
➤
➤
➤
➤
➤
COOLER
➤ ➤ PR ➤ ➤
➤
AIR 1
BLEED ➤ ➤ LINE ➤ ➤ LINE ➤ ➤
LINE
LINE
➤
PRESSURE
FORWARD CLUTCH
➤
➤
PRESSURE P R N D 3 2 1 TAP
RELIEF
➤ ➤
COOLER
➤ ACCUMULATOR
➤
➤
EX
PR
VALVE ➤
➤
EX
INPUT HOUSING MANUAL VALVE
➤
➤
EX
➤
➤
& SHAFT ASSEMBLY
LO/REVERSE
EX
(621) EX
➤
D4
D3
D2
LO
AIR 2
PR
➤ ➤
➤ ➤
TORQUE BLEED
RELEASE
➤
REVERSE
TRANSMISSION D3
COOLER
CONVERTER
DECREASE
PUMP LINE FWD CL FEED
➤ ➤
➤
CASE
➤
➤
ASSEMBLY FILTER D2
➤
ASSEMBLY (8) (232)
➤ EX
D4
(1) 1a
➤
➤
(4)
➤
➤ ➤
TFP
CONVERTER CLUTCH VALVE
➤
SWITCH D4
D3
➤
➤
PRESS REG
ASSEMBLY
APPLY
➤
LO
CONV FD
➤
D4-N.O.
➤
EX EX
➤
➤
D2-N.C.
2
LINE
REV-N.O. TEMP
BOOST VALVE
PR
LO-N.O. SENSOR
4
EX
➤
➤
➤ D3-N.C.
EX
➤
➤
PUMP
REVERSE INPUT
REGULATED APPLY
➤
➤
ASSEMBLY
SUCTION
➤ REV INPUT
TORQUE SIGNAL
➤ PR ➤ ➤ ➤ ➤
➤
➤
➤
LO/REVERSE
FILTER
➤
➤
PR
1b
➤
EX
23
EX ➤ ➤
➤
➤
10
➤
OFF LO OVERRUN
SPEED SENSOR
➤
➤
OUTPUT ROTOR
BOTTOM TCC LO/1ST
REACTION SHAFT (699) PAN SOLENOID
➤ ➤ AFL ➤ FILTER
LINE
➤
(SUMP) (49)
INTERNAL (687) N.O.
OIL ➤ ➤ AFL ➤
GEAR HELD REGULATED APPLY
➤
PUMP 8
25
➤
(684) ➤ ➤
1-2 SIGNAL
➤
ROTOR
➤
HELD
AFL
➤
REG APPLY
➤
ISOLATOR
(212)
LO
D4
26
EX
EX
27 1-2 SHIFT
➤
9 ➤
SOLENOID
➤ LINE
➤
CC SIGNAL 1-2 SHIFT VALVE VALVE
➤
N.O.
ON
EX
➤ AFL ➤
➤
EX
PARKING PAWL 2ND
1-2 SIGNAL
RETURN SPRING
➤
FILTER (50)
➤
D4-3-2
➤
➤
(80) CO ➤ AFL ➤ ➤ AFL (To 3-2 Control Solenoid)
TORQUE SIG
MP
➤
LINE
MANUAL
➤
AFL
LE D3
➤ AFL ➤ ➤
➤
SHAFT
➤
PARKING BRAKE TE 32
PRESSURE 29
2ND
OVERRUN 2-3 SIGNAL
➤
(84) PAWL (81) HY CONTROL
D2
➤
TORQUE STATOR 2-4 ACTUATOR FEED LIMIT
➤
D3
ENGAGED
DR SOLENOID 3-4 SHIFT VALVE
➤
28
2-3 SHIFT
TURBINE CONVERTER ROLLER PUMP BAND INSIDE MANUAL CONTROL VALVE PARKING LOCK PARKING SPEED PA AUL VALVE SOLENOID
➤
EX
EX
➤
EX
EX
EX
42 2-3 SHIFT VALVE 2-3 SHUTTLE
4TH SIG
3-4 SIG
VALVE
GE IC
SHAFT ASSEMBLY CLUTCH ASSEMBLY ASSEMBLY DETENT LEVER SHAFT ASSEMBLY ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY PAWL SENSOR B 68 CIR
N.O.
EX
ON
EX
EX
➤
INSIDE PARKING LOCK
3-4 ACC
EX
SERVO FD
TORQUE SIGNAL
➤
➤ ➤
3-4 SIGNAL
EX
DETENT ACTUATOR CU
IT
LEVER ASSEMBLY
(88) (85)
Figure 39 Figure 40
42 43
PAGE NUMBER —
FOR REFERENCE TO
FLUID FLOW SCHEMATIC
FLUID FLOW SCHEMATIC — FLUID FLOW THROUGH
(FOLDOUT) COMPONENTS (FOLDOUT)
RK g
PA nnin
u
eR
gin
En )
k (P
Par
PARK Engine Running the oil Engine Running
r in the
➤
➤
leve from ing:
TORQUE 2ND & 4TH REVERSE INPUT INPUT CLUTCH LOW AND REVERSE ctor re llow
;;;;
;;;;;;; ;;;;
;;;;;;;
sele essu e fo g- 2 2 2 45
CONVERTER SERVO CLUTCH ASSEMBLY HOUSING ASSEMBLY CLUTCH ASSEMBLY PRESSURE RELIEF
➤ ➤
the line pr to th ): Re VALVE BORE (240) 3 (240)
ASSEMBLY
Withtion, rected lve(218 re)
;;;;
;;;;;;; ;;;;
;;;;;;; ; ;;
45 45 2 (240)
su 47 (232) 47 (10)
posip is di lator Vae pres
➤
47 43
4 4
(232) 45
➤ 8
➤
➤
3
;;;;;;;
;; ;;;;;;;
;;;
➤
m Regu ut (lin ission
➤
8 8 ➤
pu re outp nsm p 3 1 8 ➤
2 2 2
➤
EX
;;
8
EX
3-4 CLUTCH
V
43
➤ LUBE su p tra m 43 3
Press pumto the hen pu and
11 43
;;;;;;;
;; ;;;;;
;;;;;;; ; ;
➤
13
FORWARD CLUTCH FEED 4 4 4
3RD ACCUM
;;
➤
43
m
➤
ulaterding ts. Wthe de m
➤ 3 4
➤
3
➤ ➤
43
➤
#7 5 5 (39)
➤ ➤ 7
accoiremeneds fluid fro
;;;;;;; ;;
;;;;;;;
2 7
➤
2 ➤
;;
➤
7
➤
➤
➤
requut excesure, lator
6 5 8 16 5
8
3 7 7 3 ➤
43 37 29 43 3 16 37 3
➤
➤ 29
OVERRUN CLUTCH
➤
outp e presre regu
43
;;;;;;; ;;;;;;;
;
➤
1 18 18
#9 48 48 1 (10)
➤
of lin essu
➤
4
4TH
➤ 4
➤
16 16
RELEASE
pr 4 (238)
the
➤
➤
EX 37 (237)
2ND CL
REV INPUT 16
➤
47 46
➤
46
4 (237) 48
REAR LUBE 47
➤
➤ ➤ LUBE 3 43 48
3 37 46
11 43 11
APPLY
➤
24
➤
37 16
OVERRUN CLUTCH
➤
37
➤
43 3 18 11 29
➤
37
➤
#10 (237) 47
OVERRUN 2ND CLUTCH PR
➤ 29 (237) 3
47
2ND CLUTCH
OVERRUN CLUTCH
LO/REVERSE
➤ 29 16 37
FORWARD CLUTCH FEED ➤ ➤ ACTUATOR FEED LIMIT ➤ 1 3 37
1
➤
3-4 ACCUMULATOR 16
➤
TORQUE SIGNAL
➤ ➤ ➤ ➤ ➤
ORIFICED ACCUM
29 11 18
➤ 3-4 CLUTCH SERVO FEED EX 19
3-4 ACCUM PUMP BODY (200) PUMP COVER (215) 48 37 18 11 29 16 3
➤
OVERRUN CLUTCH PUMP COVER (215) CASE (103)
➤
SERVO FEED (Pump Cover Side) (Pump Body Side)
FILTER (Case Side) (Pump Cover Side)
ORF ACC
ACCUM
CC SIGNAL #1
➤
➤
(50)
3RD ACCUMULATOR
➤
9d
AFL AFL
➤ ➤
➤ ➤
20d
➤
38b
20e
38
OVERRUN
38 38a 9
TORQUE SIGNAL
12 47 10
20c
3-4 ACCUMULATOR
47 12a
21a
29e
➤ 11a
34d
34e
26a
37a
31b
35a
33a
31a
34c
33c
17f
34f
25f
9p
➤ 9a
9b
9c
9f
7 9 32 31 18 41 12
COOLER 41 3a 41b
21
21
26b
9 47
9e
10
31c
17g
34a 25
➤ LUBE ➤ 3 3 34 41a
AFL
12b
➤
29b 9 47 9
29f/28
➤
D4
➤
D3 3-4 ACCUM 3
29 34
15b/16
38c
17a/18
38 43
➤
➤
➤
LINE
➤
➤ ➤ ➤
FILTERED AFL 3 18 REAR 34b 14c
TORQUE SIGNAL
16 17 17e 3
➤
15c/16 11
ACCUMULATOR
14 29g/28 18a 47
CASE (8)
LUBE ➤
22 ➤ 26
➤
16 16a 9
AFL
➤ 2ND CLUTCH 25g 16
➤
16 47 12 17 17b/18 17d 12d 14a 47
D4
REVERSE INPUT
➤
TCC PWM PRESSURE 29 12 9o 29a ➤
18b 23 #6 #5
➤
14 12c 42a 25 3
➤
SOLENOID 26
D3
➤➤
CONTROL 17 19 29c 27 ➤ 25 11
VALVE ➤
ACTUATOR FEED LIMIT 9 15a 26
LUBE
1-2 ACCUMULATOR 42 29d 44a 42b
➤
15 38 17 47 38d
➤
SOLENOID 17c 11
➤
N.C. 47
➤
AIR ➤ 9m 29 12e 28
➤
12 24 15d 41c 9h 48 47
1-2 ACCUMULATOR COVER (57)
EX
➤
29 44
EX
➤ VALVE 3 48
EX
EX
BLEED 9 41 9m 41d 43c/44 47
EX
9
➤
➤
48a REGULATED APPLY AFL ➤ 9h 11 29 9 29e 37 17 17 47
➤
(240) VALVE BODY (60) 18 9 14 47 9n 14b 36
➤ 11 22a
LUBE
➤ ➤ 13 18c 20
➤
D3
D3
➤
47 22 12 11c 24b 24a 43 43
D4
CASE (8)
EX EX REG APPLY ISOLATOR 3-4 ACCUMULATOR 33b 24 #10 20
➤
➤
8 11 34d 13b 10c/22
➤
10 ➤ #8
2
ACCUMULATOR 18 27c/29 ➤
REG APPLY
➤
48b 20a
18 47 24 31 33 35 9
➤
34 25 33
➤
EX
EX
LINE 27 22 10 31 32
11b ➤ ➤ D4 17e 30b 6
27b/29 21 47 10
COOLER
FILTER 30 22 13 ➤
➤
CC SIGNAL ACCUM VALVE
➤ DECREASE ➤
27 27d 34c
➤
1 2ND 13 30a 17
➤
➤
➤
➤
PRESSURE 10 35a 27a 24d 13a
PR
(232) ➤
11c SERVO FEED 3-4 ACCUM
30
34 24
47 14 34f
22b 10a
30
25 24
➤
ACCUMULATOR 20b 31 27
➤
RELIEF
➤ 35 24c 24
EX
24m/25 11
➤
2ND 13
➤
6 OVERRUN CL 34 47 28 24f 24e 10b/23 35 24 23 47
D2 24g 34
FORWARD CLUTCH FEED
OVERRUN
2ND CLUTCH
38d
➤
VALVE 4TH SIGNAL 25 24 25a 16 ➤ 34e ➤ 38e/39 9g
➤
30b
SERVO FD
SERVO FD
31a 38
4TH
13a 24k/25 29
2ND CL
39 30 27 22
4TH SIGNAL
47
3-4 CL
47
➤
➤
24h 9k/10 47 3
OVERRUN CLUTCH
17
3-4 ACC
34
D4-3-2
➤
5 3-4 RELAY 4-3 SEQUENCE VALVE ➤ ➤ ACTUATOR FEED LIMIT ➤ 9 7 5 35b 35c/39 24
➤
29 35
➤
31b 35d/36 (49)
RELEASE