Flashing O/D light

[Brian8]

Does anyone know what would cause this? The reason I ask is b/c it is going to the shop on thursday and im just wondering at a round about figure as to how much this might cost me or if its an easy fix I could possibly do myself. Heres the problem, thte other day I noticed that my o/d light was flashing and now as it does not stop flashing I do not have over drive either. The guy at the shop said it could be a sensor or the o/d switch itself. Thanks for your help.

 

[espnfreak]

Sorry to say but this happened to me and its most likely a trans rebuild or replacement

 

[dogfriend]

The flashing light is an indication that the PCM thinks that there is a transmission problem. The shop should be able to scan for transmission codes with an appropriate scan tool.

 

[BradE.]

Samething happened to me, it was a rear shaft speed sensor.

 

[hitman]

Man, this worries me. I just noticed my OD light flashing today on my 2001 XLT with OD. My factory warranty just expired too (I have just over 38,000 miles on it). I noticed that I can still engage and disengage overdrive via the column lever. That, and shifting seems the same. I just hope it's not something serious.

Is there a problem with the Explorer's transmissions that I don't know about? It's hard for me to believe that a vehicle with a relatively young life could already have transmission problems.

If it is a big problem, I will be very disappointed with Ford as this will be the 3rd time I've had to take it since buying it with 20,000 miles. That, to me, is just not good quality. Especially since my previous car (1993 Mustang GT) had 130,000 and absolutely no problems since I bought it with 60,000 miles.

 

[Brian8]

Well if it turns out to be a tranny rebuild I guess I can't complain to much seeing as it is almost at 190,000 miles and ive owned it for 100,000 of them i have not had any problems at all with the transmission or motor.

 

[rscamaro73]

My 99 did that once, but it went away the next day.

Mighta been me running it hard too. Anyways, over 4000 miles later (3400 towing a car cross country) still no problems.

<knocking on wood>

I had a 89 Ranger 4x4.....I know about going thru trannies.....

 

[hitman]

Strange. My light was flashing at lunch yesterday and did not go off. Yet, on the drive home it didn't do it anymore. Came to work this morning, and no light either. Maybe it was just a "fluke"?

I'll wait and see if it does it anymore before having someone check it out.

 

[Lifted95X]

you should get it checked anyways...you wouldnt want to destroy something by putting it off.

 

[thecos2002]

Is the o/d light blinking the only problem? Is your speedometer and odometer working? Cruise control?

 

[TPLYNCH]

Sometimes the system "burps" and sets it off. you can try resetting the computer and see if it works.

 

[Fish Man]

mine did this today. i put it in 4 wheel low just to see what its all about and cause ive heard your supposed to every once in awhile. had some trouble getting it to turn off, but after i did the o/d light started flashing. whats that all about?

 

[Brian8]

my speedo and everything else works fine except for the flashing o/d light and shifting hard from 2nd into 1st. other then that shes runnign strong.

Fish Man,
everyonce in a while when i use 4 low it takes me a while to get it back out. Not all the time though but I would say possibly half the time she stays in low for a few minutes while im messing around to get it back out.

Well im still waiting for the verdict from my mechanic, I dropped the truck off at 8 this morning and he still hasn't called me yet.

 

[Brian8]

*UPDATE*

Well I just talked to the mechanic and apparently somehow I blew a fuse that operates the o/d or what have you and it ended up faulting the computer. So it only cost me about $40. to fix this.

 

[dogfriend]

Originally posted by Fish Man
mine did this today. i put it in 4 wheel low just to see what its all about and cause ive heard your supposed to every once in awhile. had some trouble getting it to turn off, but after i did the o/d light started flashing. whats that all about?

This is somewhat speculative, but there is some interaction (electronically) between the GEM which controls the shift motor for 4wd Low, and the PCM which controls the transmission shift points, line pressure etc.

One of the things that happens in 4wd Low is that the PCM adjusts the auto trans shift points to be more appropriate for the low range gearing. This is mentioned in the factory manual and the Control Trac patent info, but the manual does not give very detailed info on this.

The speculation: because you had trouble shifting out of 4wd low, the GEM signal may have been telling the PCM that you were still in Low range when you weren't (or vice versa). The shift schedule may have been wrong or something else that the PCM recognized as a problem with the transmission.

If you turn it off, and the light goes away, I wouldn't worry about it this time. If the light comes back, it means that the PCM thinks there is a problem.

 

[Fish Man]

thanks for the info, but what do i do about it?

 

[dogfriend]

In your case, because it happened as a result of shifting into Low range, I wouldn't worry about the flashing o/d light unless it keeps happening, then I would take it in to have the codes read to find out whats wrong.

If you keep having problems with shifting in and out of low range I would do the following:

1. Check and/or change the transfer case fluid if you haven't done it recently. The t-case uses ATF, not gear oil. Check owners manual for correct fluid.

2. Check the electrical connector that is just to the rear of the t-case. This connects to the shift motor. Make sure connections look good.

3. If still having problem, your shift motor may be dirty/not working properly. If you search here under 'shift motor' you should find some info on cleaning the shift motor. This is a common problem on the early explorers, I'm not sure how common on the later ones. In a lot of cases, people have gotten good results from just cleaning the shift motor which saved them from buying a new replacement.

 

[Fish Man]

ok, thanks. its still doing it...i think ill disconnect the battery and see if that stops it. i havent tried putting it in 4wd low again, and dont plan to anytime soon though if i do have trouble, ill have to check into that stuff you mentioned.

 

[Aussie_jase]

My 97 XLT done this a week after i bought it. I was on the beach and it started falshing. The gearbox started to "clunk" when changing gears at the same time. Turned out to be an overheated gearbox because the oil was past its change date and was to thin for handling the high pressure and temperature. Took it to ford , they changed the oil , cleared the computer code and its gone fine ever since. Note that the gearbox service was expensive , $600 +. Hope this helps.

 

[Fish Man]

crap, its still doing it, and makes like a gear change noise when braking. whats goign on?!?! could a hub be stuck? (does that happen?)