GMC Sonoma Transmission Problems & Cost | 4L60E

The GMC Sonoma was equipped with the 4L60E transmission. But they aren’t without their problems though, so let’s look at some of the most common GMC Sonoma transmission problems, look at cost estimates and figure out what you can do about them.

Need a replacement transmission? Get an estimate for replacement transmissions and local installation. Look up your transmission model by vehicle make and model.

What Transmission Do I Have?

GMC Sonoma Transmission Models

GMC Sonoma: 4L60E Transmission

GMC Sonoma Transmission Replacement Cost Estimate

Pricing varies by model. To be 100% sure on pricing, have your VIN# handy and use our Get An Estimate feature to look up your transmission by VIN#.

Replacement GMC Sonoma Transmission Prices:

TransmissionStreet Smart Transmission
4L60E / 4L65E2100

What are the DTC codes related to GMC Sonoma transmission problems?

Trouble CodeDescription
P0706Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Range/Performance
P0711Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Range/Performance
P0712Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Low Input
P0713Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit High Input
P0719Torque Converter/Brake Switch B Circuit Low
P0724 Torque Converter/Brake Switch B Circuit High
P0740Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Malfunction
P0748Pressure Control Solenoid 'A' Electrical
P0751Shift Solenoid 'A' Performance or Stuck Off
P0753Shift Solenoid 'A' Electrical
P0756Shift Solenoid 'B' Performance or Stuck Off
P0757Shift Solenoid 'B' Stuck On
P0758Shift Solenoid 'B' Electrical
P0785Shift/Timing Solenoid
P0894Transmission Component Slipping
P1860TCC PWM Solenoid Circuit Electrical
P1870Transmission Component Slipping: GM Transmission

GMC Sonoma Transmission Recalls

None Found

GMC Sonoma Technical Service Bulletins (TSB)

TSB 01-07-30-002C – Transmission stuck in third gear with inoperable instrument cluster and multiple DTC’s – 4L60E Transmission & 4L65 Transmission
1999 – 2003 Cadillac Escalade – 2002 – 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT – 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV – 1997 – 2003 Chevrolet Silverado – 1997 – 2003 Chevrolet Suburban – 1997 – 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe – 1997 – 2003 Chevrolet Blazer – 1997 – 2003 Chevrolet Express – 1997 – 2003 Chevrolet S10 – 2002 – 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche – 2002 – 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer – 2002 – 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT – 1997 – 2003 GMC Sierra – 1997 – 1999 GMC Suburban – 1999 – 2003 GMC Yukon XL – 1997 – 2003 GMC Yukon – 1997 – 2001 GMC Jimmy – 1997 – 2003 GMC Savanna – 1997 – 2003 GMC Sonoma – 2002 – 2003 GMC Envoy – 2002 – 2003 GMC Envoy XL – 1997 – 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada
Problem – Vehicles equipped with the 4L60E and 4L65E transmission may become stuck in third gear, the instrument cluster may not function, and the following DTC’s may be set: P0740, P0753, P0758, P0785 and P1860.
Solution – The most likely cause of this transmission problem is a blown fuse or an open on circuit 1020 between the fuse panel and the transmission. If no battery voltage is found at the fuse, the ignition switch will need to be replaced

TSB 01-07-30-023B – Harsh 1-2 upshift with P1870 DTC – 4L60E Transmission RPO M30
1996 Buick Roadmaster – 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood – 1999-2000 Cadillac Escalade – 1996-2000 Chevrolet Camaro – 1996-2000 Corvette – 1996-2000 Pontiac Firebird – 1996-2000 Chevrolet and GMC Light Duty Truck Models – 1996-2000 Oldsmobile Bravada
Problem – Drivers may experience an unusually harsh 1-2 shift because the ECU has commanded maximum line pressure in order to compensate for excessive wear in the bore that contains the TCC isolator and regulator valves inside of the valve body.
Solution – Replace the 4L60E valve body with revised TCC regulator and isolator valves.

TSB 08-07-30-027 – No movements when transmission is shifted into Drive or third – 4L60E Transmission – 4L65E Transmission – 4L70E Transmission
1982-2005 GM Passenger Cars and Light Duty Trucks: 2006-2007 Buick Rainier – 2006 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV & Escalade EXT – 2006 Chevrolet SSR – 2006-2008 Chevrolet Avalanche – 2006-2008 Chevrolet Colorado – 2006-2008 Chevrolet Express – 2006-2008 Chevrolet Silverado Classic – 2006-2008 Chevrolet Silverado – 2006-2008 Chevrolet Suburban – 2006-2008 Chevrolet Tahoe – 2006-2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer – 2006 GMC Yukon Denali – 2006 GMC Yukon Denali XL – 2006-2008 GMC Canyon – 2006-2008 GMC Envoy – 2006-2008 GMC Savana – 2006-2008 GMC Sierra Classic – 2006-2008 GMC Sierra – 2006-2008 GMC Yukon – 2006-2008 GMC Yukon XL – 2006 Pontiac GTO – 2006-2007 HUMMER H2 – 2006-2008 HUMMER H3 – 2006-2008 Saab 9-7X – with the 4L60, 4L60E, 4L65E or 4L70E Automatic Transmission (RPOs MD8, M30, M32, M33 or M70)
Problem – It is possible to experience no movement when the transmission is shifted into Drive or the 3rd gear position. It is possible to experience normal operation when the transmission shifted into second, first or reverse.
Solution – Replace the forward sprag assembly

TSB 00-07-30-022D – No reverse, second or fourth gears – 4L60E Transmission & 4L65E Transmission
1993 – 2005 GM passenger cars and light duty trucks
Problem – Drivers may experience the loss of reverse, second and fourth gears. First and third gears will seem to function normally
Solution – The reaction sun gear may fail inside of the sun shell. It will need to be replaced with a stronger heat-treated 4L60E / 4L65 sun gear.

Common GMC Sonoma Transmission Problems 

Intermittent harsh shifting – 4L60E Transmission
Problem – A common 4L60E transmission problem is an intermittent hard 1-2 shift, often accompanied by engine bogging. This condition can be caused by the torque convertor clutch applying during the shift.
Solution – To remedy the problem, the wiring harness needs to be inspected from the transmission case connector to the rear of the engine on the driver side. It’s possible that the wires for the TCC solenoid and pressure control solenoid have become frayed on a body seam. If this is the case, the wiring will need to be repaired, and the harness repositioned.

Lack of Response
Leaking Fluid
Low Fluid
Burning Smell
Grinding or Shaking
Whining, Clunking or Humming
Refuses to Go Into Gear
Torque Converter Issues
Valve Body Issues
Transmission Noisy in Neutral
Gears Slipping
No 3rd or 4th Gear
No 1st or 2nd Gear
No Reverse
Dragging Clutch
Trouble Codes / Check Engine Light

Can I drive with a transmission problem?

If your GMC Sonoma can still make it up and down the road, you might say “It’s fine, I’ll just drive it until I can get it fixed”. But that is not always a good idea, depending on the symptoms. You see, there are a lot of (very expensive) moving parts inside of a transmission, and if something isn’t right, continuing to drive with a transmission problem could damage something else.

How often does a GMC Sonoma transmission need to be replaced?

The overall lifespan of a GMC Sonoma transmission largely depends on how well it was maintained. Factory design flaws also factor into this equation, along with how/how hard you drive. But on average, we’ve seen the GMC Sonoma transmission last for between 130,000-180,000 miles. A high quality replacement transmission however, can last considerably longer if all of the factory design flaws have been addressed and the vehicle has been maintained.

How are GMC Sonoma transmission issues diagnosed?

It is fairly easy to guesstimate what the root cause of your GMC Sonoma transmission problems might be, but you won’t truly know unless you have the right tools and experience. A good mechanic or transmission repair center will be able to connect your truck to a computer and find out which diagnostic trouble codes (DTC’s) have been stored. Once they know what to look for, they can perform a visual inspection to verify the problem.

How is a GMC Sonoma transmission replaced?

In order to replace your GMC Sonoma transmission, the truck has to be lifted from the ground in order to gain access to all of the parts that will need to be unbolted. Then the transmission can be lowered to the ground (typically with a transmission jack), so the new transmission can be installed. Once it is in place, for the 6L80, the vehicle PCM will have to be reprogrammed / reflashed to accept the new transmission using the latest GM subscription.

Recommendations for GMC Sonoma transmission issues?

To save time and get back on the road faster, have your 17-digit truck VIN# handy and you can get an online quote for a reman GMC Sonoma transmission here, then find a local shop using our Find a Shop guide to install it for you.

How to Solve GMC Sonoma Transmission Problems

Solution A: Buy a Used GMC Sonoma Transmission

The quickest way to fix your transmission problems is to simply buy a used transmission or used transmission. These can be found at most junk yards, and they often come with a 30-90 day warranty. However, there’s no way to determine the actual condition of the internal components, so you could be spending a bunch of money to have the exact same problems. Plus, that warranty only covers the transmission if it’s defective, not the labor costs that you’ll have to pay.

Solution B: Buy a Rebuilt GMC Sonoma Transmission

Another option would be a rebuilt transmission or rebuilt transmission. A local repair shop will remove your transmission, then install a bunch of new parts during the rebuild. The problem here is, the skills and experience of each transmission rebuilder will vary widely from shop to shop, so you could have problems from something that wasn’t adjusted properly. And the 1-2 year warranty might only cover you at certain transmission repair shops, in a specific geographical area.

Solution C: Buy a Remanufactured GMC Sonoma Transmission

Many owners depend on their vehicle to commute and get things done. Their gasoline engines are designed to go 100’s of thousands of miles, so it makes sense to invest in a remanufactured transmission.

Need a replacement transmission? Get an estimate for replacement transmissions and local installation. Look up your transmission model by vehicle make and model.

What Transmission Do I Have?

What Problem Does Your GMC Sonoma Have?

Let us know the year, mileage and problem you’re having as well as any trouble (OBD) codes you’ve found. If you’ve been given a quote or paid for a repair, we’d like to hear about that too!

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Anonymous
1 year ago

At first littel slippage then turn aff wait a min and went for a while now slipp in all gears Batley made it home

russell l Niemann
1 year ago

gear shift feels like it is not hooked to anything,just flops around

Anonymous
2 years ago

Won’t go into 3 D

Anonymous
2 years ago

Won’t go into 3 D

Robert Sacco
2 years ago

99 Sonoma 4×4 when first started will shift into to drive will pull for a few minutes and then stops pulling at all.

Connie
2 years ago

No reverse,not properly downshifting,won’t upshift unless engine is raced & then let foot off gaspedal until it shifts from 1st to 2nd,then slow to engaged other gears

Scott Turner
2 years ago

1998 sonoma..shifter will go down into 1st and 2nd then drive and neutral..shifter will not pull back to go up into rev. Or park..and ideas?

Caleb Burton
3 years ago

1998 to 2000 m gmc Sonoma shift fine all the way to 5 gear but after that it wants to jump back and forth into 4th and 5th gear

Stu
3 years ago

2003 Sonoma 4×4 was running fine parked at store went to back out and no reverse.
( Automatic transmission ).

Last edited 3 years ago by Stu
Wagner
3 years ago

I have a 2002 GMC Sonoma 4.3L 4×4 4L60e transmission Won’t shift into 3rd or drive

Last edited 3 years ago by Wagner
Anonymous
2 years ago
Reply to  Wagner

May I know if solve the problem and what was it

David Christopher Turner
3 years ago

I’ve got a 96 sonoma and it was driving just fine shifting smooth and all. I pulled into the driveway, now it wont shift out of park. I was told it was the automatic transmission actuator, is that the case?

Tanner Swain
4 years ago

My transmission slips and soesnt want to go into drive and overdrive when cold

Nancy wasson
4 years ago

I have a 2003 GMC Sonoma won’t shift out of first gear I have reverse and park in first but no second third or fourth

Trysten Franklin
4 years ago

2003 gmc Sonoma 180k, truck would not go past 40mph one day all ways had a hard shift from first into second, and when it decided to go “limp” the torque converter started clicking, anytime I pushed the gas more then 1/2 throttle. Or 3,000 rpms or vise versa.

grease monkey
4 years ago

i have a 02 sonoma 2wd with new transmission it goes in gear great and shifts great but no 3rd gear

Benito colin
4 years ago

No entra la reversa

jeremiah cannon
4 years ago

1st gear jumps and snatches other gears seem fine 2003 sonoma 131k

Jason Hix
5 years ago

My trans is kicking out of overdrive

Jim
4 years ago
Reply to  Jason Hix

Mine to

Bill
5 years ago

It shifts like first and second

warren
5 years ago

1997 gmc sonoma useing transmission fluid.and it is not leaking where is it going.

Jeffy
5 years ago

Slow to go into Reserve, some slipping while driving.

warren
5 years ago
Reply to  Jeffy

no shifts fine

Ed
5 years ago
Reply to  Jeffy

Have reverse no drive ..have clanking on front of converter .

Robert
3 years ago
Reply to  Ed

What was the out come of your issue reverse no forward gears

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