P0796 on Chevrolet

Gen 5 Camaros with the 6L80/6L90 six-speed automatic commonly exhibit a 2-3 upshift 'flare' where engine RPM briefly rises before the gear engages, sometimes followed by a firm bump. GM issued bulletins calling a mild 2-3 slip/flare a 'normal characteristic,' but worsening flare typically indicates a real hydraulic leak, most often at the 3-5-Reverse clutch drum or clutch-regulator valve, and can throw pressure/ratio codes. Left unaddressed, slipping accelerates clutch wear.

P0700 is not a specific fault by itself — it is an umbrella/MIL-request code the ECM stores whenever the transmission control module (TCM) detects an internal transmission problem and asks the ECM to turn on the check-engine light. On the Silverado 1500 it almost always appears alongside more specific companion codes, and the underlying failure follows two dominant, well-documented patterns depending on the transmission. On trucks with the 6L80 six-speed automatic (2007-onward 5.3L and 6.2L V8 models), the internal TEHCM (Transmission Electro-Hydraulic Control Module — GM's combined valve body, solenoids, pressure switches, and TCM in a single pan-mounted unit) develops internal circuit-board/solenoid faults from heat and fluid degradation, throwing P0700 together with codes like P0796, P0777, P0842, or P0973 and dropping the truck into limp mode. On older/base trucks with the 4L60E four-speed (4.3L/4.8L), the same P0700 is typically triggered by a failed shift solenoid (P0753/P0758) or a faulty internal mode switch. Because P0700 is a stored 'passenger' code, a scan tool that can talk to the TCM (not just a basic reader) is required to pull the specific sub-code that identifies the actual failed component.

The second-generation Traverse (2018+) uses the GM 9T65 9-speed automatic transmission that suffers from a shudder during light acceleration in the 25-50 mph range. The torque converter clutch chatters during lockup, producing a vibration that feels like driving on a rumble strip. The 9-speed also exhibits harsh downshifts, hunting between gears on hills, and delayed engagement from Park. GM has released multiple TCM software updates to address the shifting behavior, but the underlying torque converter weakness remains.