flashing light of death (o/d) gearbox | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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flashing light of death (o/d) gearbox

rich uk

Well-Known Member
Joined
September 17, 2007
Messages
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City, State
surrey
Year, Model & Trim Level
1998 sohc 150k Purple LPG
Got the flashing gearbox light today checked the fluid seemed ok was not especialy hot at the cooler so I reset the ecu but it was back on within 5 mins of driving,
I am in doing a round trip from London Via Leeds on to Scotland then on to Bath (nearly a lap of uk lol ) before I can get back home to have a proper look ,scary if this light stays on all the way ,ill be checking the fluid levels twice daily, fingers crossed .
Its a pain because I seem to lose overdrive when the lights flashing and fuel economy seems worse

rich
 



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i'm not sure how it goes on explorers. but i used to have the same problem on my nissan 240sx a lot, i would pop it in neutral, kill it start it back up and put it in OD. it would usually kick back in after a second and be fine.
 






Hi Rich

I've had this trouble on and off for the last 2 years. I've nursed it along abit by adjusting the brake bands, various miricle cure additives, adjusting TPS etc. Finally the transmission oil is getting into the radiator which also means antifreeze has got in the gearbox contaminating all the clutch plates.
The end result is that I've found a specialist in Derby that is going to recondition the gearbox with extra plates in the clutch packs and the latest 'sonnax' valve modifications for, wait for it, £1600 plus vat! [including £450 labour].
Don't know whether it will help you but mine used to clear itself the next day after about 2 miles. If not,try disconecting the battery. That usually clears it and keeping your speed below 70mph usually stops the slipping. Kev.
 












Si, I think the boxes you are looking at are not for our Ex's. They are older four speed boxes. Thanks anyway. Kev.
 






Are they? bugger.. all gearboxes look the same to me.. did you feel the earthquake about half an hour ago?

Si
 






I did feel the earthquake mate. Gave my radiators in the house a good old rattle. I'm in Telford, Shropshire. Where are you? Kev.
 












Thanks guys Ill keep you informed thankfully i took an extended waranty when I got my car from a dealer and sounds like I might need it, these gearboxes seen complicated sometimes it changes lovely other time it seems to slip almost . glad u survived the earthquake felt nothing in glasgow
 






the epicentre was in hull..

hopefully your extended warranty will cover you..

you should stop in Liverpool on yr way back..

Si
 






I dont have time to si this time but mate when Im working up near you yer why not hook up for a beer man
 












I work for a enviromental co who clean air con and water tanks all over the place I get to drive my ex all day some days which is great when shes not playing up!
 






well, as long as they pay yr fuel, it's all good.. I've just got through to a 2nd stage interview.. so fingers crossed I'll get the job I'm going for and can keep my Ex.. hehe

Si
 






Out of interest, how does transmission oil work it''s way into the cooling system?

That Explorer Parts place that is on ebay, has auto transmissions up for 250.00 and then a fitting fee of 150.00 i believe.
 






Transmission oil goes through a heat exchanger inside the radiator and then goes to the air cooled transmission radiator. Have a look down the right hand side of the radiator and you can see two steel pipes. One comes from the gearbox and the other goes to the transmission oil cooler. From there it goes back to the gearbox. Kev.
 






The transmision fluid runs through a section of the radiator for cooling as I understand it so if you have a leak.... into the gearbox it goes......expensive
had a good response from http://www.247spares.co.uk seems like a no hassle way to find 2nd hand bits delivered to your door they email you if they have any bits .
not sure if I trust a second hand unit mind, seems like the sort of job you only want to do once and not too cheap £300 plus del ,suppose you have to pay someone to take it off the donor car and store it ,is a 60day warranty on 2nd hand units....but £400 fitted sounds a cracking deal as recon place I looked at wanted 10 hours labour at £39 phew plus £600 odd for the box not far off £1000
rich
 






Did 300 miles today no flashing light no problems, was the best its ever been !
nice sharp changes at low revs
seems to be more noisey in 1st than in the other gears is this usual guys or is this a sign of wear ? (hearing things again lol)
rich
 






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