I just purchased a 2008 Chevy Malibu LTZ with a 3.6 liter V6. The transmission was suspect when shifting around 40mph, but seemed to work OK otherwise on my first 25 mile test drive. The second trip in the car was about 12 miles with no other issues noted. The third time was the return trip and it made it about 6 miles and began to act up. At the next stop sign, the car would not move, forward or backward. I had it towed and 3 days later, it moved again and was driven about 100ft. It didn't quit working. Just didn't drive it any further. My research tells me that it has a 6T70 transmission. I have located a low mile (59,000) used transmission that was in a 2014 Impala Police package also with a 3.6 liter V6. I'm told that this transmission will bolt up, and plug in, but there is some concern about updates to the TCM between 2008 and 2014.

Will this 2014 6T70 work correctly in my 2008 Malibu? Thanks in advance for your info

The others might have some better advice, but I know the solenoid pack of these transaxles needs to be programmed to the VIN at the very least.

Thanks for the info CathedralCub. The more I learn about this situation, the less optimistic I get about a cost effective end to my problem. I'm continuing my investigation into my options to replace the transmission, but used transmissions are not that plentiful and the ones that are have high miles and high prices.

Any additional information regarding my original question is greatly appreciated. I have to solve this somehow. Thanks again, Cathedralcub.

Have you checked the cost of repairing the tranny?

Who condemned it and why?

Pull any codes out?

Check fluid level and color?

A good transmission shop should be able to answer this question. I'm not trying to turf you to them, but they work on these all the time. Interesting thing will be if they work on enough of the 2014'* to know that they are the same or not. It'* a good unit now that the bugs are worked out by GM. And the Ford variant has been doing well on a bunch of their stuff including several police models.

Thinking about it a little more: I believe you have a 6T70E, and 2007-2009 were bad years for these in a couple of ways. They had the 35R wave-plate issue where the wave plate would come apart and cause a number of other problems including filling the transmission with metal grit, letting the engine flare on 2-3, 4-3, 4-5, and 6-5 shifts, and shredding the inside of the case with spinning broken wave-plate pieces. They also had some issues with the solenoid pack going bad then causing a number of shifting and engagement issues.

Depending on your car'* original sale date and current odometer reading, the wave plate issue might still be covered. They have a 10-year 120,000-mile warranty on this unit for the wave-plate issue. This is 10 years or 120,000 miles from the date and mileage of purchase. If your car was sold new on October 20, 2008 with 000,567 miles on the odometer and it has 120,560 miles on it today and it has the 35R wave-plate issue, then you have three days and seven miles to claim it at the dealership.

"How does CathedralCub know all of this?!?", you ask. The answer is: I have one of these transmissions and it decided to wait until ~25,000 miles too late to have its 35R failure.

On another note: I believe you have the 6T70E in your Malibu, and a 2014 Impala PPV would have a (well beaten but probably now ruined) 6T75E . They are extremely close relatives, but that last 0.0000001% difference might kill the swap. I just don't know.

Get back with us with the odometer reading and the specific symptoms and we'll see where we can go next.

Tech II. I am looking into the repair route as well as replacement. I had a small shop evaluate the trans. He pulled code P2715-Pressure Control Solenoid 4 - Stuck On when he first checked the vehicle. He then drove it and felt slippage 1-2 and 2-3. When it shifted 3-4 it felt like it went into neutral and he coasted it back to the shop parking lot. I checked fluid level after my first time driving the car. It was in the acceptable range. Didn't smell burnt and looked fairly clean.

Trans Code currently on Malibu

Thanks again for the info CathedralCub. The backstory on the vehicle, from my point of involvement, explains why I am trying not to get too deep into the bank account on this car. I purchased the car two weeks ago at an auction. Not a automobile auction, but a local auction that sells, pretty much anything. The car has 210,000 miles on it. It cleaned up very well. Not a ding, dent, or spot of rust on the body. The LTZ interior was very dirty, but also cleaned up very well so I was hoping to get my daughter into it for a while without spending too much. I listed the symptoms in my quick response to Tech II. I do have a couple of transmission shops that I plan to contact to get their input on this, but am trying to learn as much as I can before I go there. Given the mileage and value of the vehicle, you can see why I'm hesitant to get a $2200 Reman and spend another $500 or more on the labor to have a new trans in a car with 210,000 on it. The auction house is not happy with the seller as he actually listed the car as fully functional and even listed the transmission, specifically, as good. They are, actually, pursuing a refund, but I have additional $ into the car as well at this point.

Ah, yes that makes sense. With a good transmission that would be a good car for your daughter. When you're at the shop, ask them about the 2014 transmission'* compatibility. If it does work, it would be a good match for your situation.

Glad to hear the auction house taking action.

Darn. I think that'* part of the solenoid pack.

This is bad news. It probably happens, but I've never heard of it on a 6T70 . Even when mine ate it'* 35R wave plate it acted as it should except for a huge gap in engagement that I helped it with. Point here is it acted predictably. Your symptoms strike me as a plugged filter or gunked-up valve body or bad pump. All of these require a teardown to resolve on the 6T70.

210,000 miles and the fluid looked fairly clean? I'd guess the previous owner started having issues with the transmission, changed the fluid in an attempt to correct the issue, and it didn't improve so he sold it. It could very well be that it is all gunked up inside from never having maintenance done. One downside of these transaxles is that you have to crack the case open to change or inspect the filter. It'* a big filter, but still can get plugged.

I'm still working on getting an answer about the 2014 option that I have and whether or not it would work. All the information here leads me to believe that I could get it installed and still have a non-working transaxle. Even if I have a dealership do some programming, but I have a couple sources still tracking down info to determine if that option is really an option. I hope to hear back from the auction house today as well. Sure miss the old days where a 350 turbo was a 350 turbo. lol It'* kind of a shame. The car is in really nice condition, now.

As far as the fluid condition, I thought the very same thing. The guy changed the fluid when it started acting up. The mechanic that drove the car and scanned it believes that there may by pieces and parts throughout the trans at this point. I haven't thrown in the towel yet. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again.

Thanks, looking forward to hearing the next chapter.