GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

The 4L80-E transmission uses a line pressure control system that has the ability to adapt line pressure to compensate for normal wear of the following parts:

    • The clutch fiber plates
    • The springs and seals
    • The apply bands

This adaptive feature is similar to the fuel and idle control systems, where the PCM has the ability to learn and adjust for monitored system changes.

The PCM maintains information for the following transmission adaptive systems:

1-2, 2-3, 3-4 Upshift Adapts -- The PCM/VCM monitors the automatic transmission input (shaft) speed sensor (ISS) and the output speed sensor (OSS), to determine when the transmission has started, and completed an upshift. The PCM looks at the time from the beginning, until the completion of the upshift. If the time of the upshift was longer than a calibrated value, then the PCM will adjust the current to the transmission pressure control (PC) solenoid to increase line pressure for the next, same, upshift under identical conditions. If the time of the upshift was shorter than a calibrated value, then the PCM will adjust the current, to the transmission PC solenoid, to decrease line pressure for the next, same, upshift under identical conditions.

Steady State Adapts (PCM only) -- The PCM monitors the automatic transmission input (shaft) speed sensor (ISS) and the output speed sensor (OSS) after a shift has occurred, to determine the amount of clutch slippage in the transmission. If to much slippage is detected, the PCM adjusts the current, to the transmission PC solenoid, to increase the line pressure and reduce clutch slip.