flashing OD light - detail info inside

[SevenT6Vet]

2002 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0 4x4 230k miles stock/original everything on trans (except fluid/filter)

Vehicle shifts fine 1 thru 5 and no clunks when slowing. O/D light flashes when speeds are over ~50 mph and stays on until vehicle shuts off. When you turn vehicle back on, it is off until you get over ~50 mph again. O/D button still toggles trans between 4th and 5th gear fine.

Torque converter never locks. I notice on interstate RPMs are higher than they should be, and a little throttle input causes RPM to raise slightly (a sign to me that it isn't locking).

Thanks for input. I've searched this to death, however and couldn't come across any threads where somebody had already isolated it down to a perceived torque converter issue.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[michaelkill4]

SevenT6Vet,

I had the same exact problem. Turned out sadly my tranny was failing. Not exactly sure what the code was, but it was the code for transmission death. That was the exact wording it printed out. Mine would drive fine, and as soon as I hit that 5th gear area, the O/D light would flash and the truck would sputter and shake. Every shop I took it too said your transmission is dying and that any minute it will fail completely. The day I went in to get my new transmission 4th and 3rd gear failed. I had to get a new transmission and it fixed the problem. So it sounds exactly like the problem I had my friend..tranny is going out

 

[SevenT6Vet]

SevenT6Vet,

I had the same exact problem. Turned out sadly my tranny was failing. Not exactly sure what the code was, but it was the code for transmission death. That was the exact wording it printed out. Mine would drive fine, and as soon as I hit that 5th gear area, the O/D light would flash and the truck would sputter and shake. Every shop I took it too said your transmission is dying and that any minute it will fail completely. The day I went in to get my new transmission 4th and 3rd gear failed. I had to get a new transmission and it fixed the problem. So it sounds exactly like the problem I had my friend..tranny is going out

the truck drives perfect, no shaking, sputter, or anything. My wife said she didn't even notice anything different other than flashing light. Being a DIY'er, i noticed the RPMs were a bit higher. *fingers crossed*

 

[michaelkill4]

Mine did the same thing. When the O/D light started flashing the RPMs went up

didn't start shaking a bit until a while into it

 

[imp]

2002 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0 4x4 230k miles stock/original everything on trans (except fluid/filter)

Vehicle shifts fine 1 thru 5 and no clunks when slowing. O/D light flashes when speeds are over ~50 mph and stays on until vehicle shuts off. When you turn vehicle back on, it is off until you get over ~50 mph again. O/D button still toggles trans between 4th and 5th gear fine.

Torque converter never locks. I notice on interstate RPMs are higher than they should be, and a little throttle input causes RPM to raise slightly (a sign to me that it isn't locking).

Thanks for input. I've searched this to death, however and couldn't come across any threads where somebody had already isolated it down to a perceived torque converter issue.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Before you "write-off" your transmission, your post shows you understand the torque converter clutch function. This sounds like a classical failed TCC solenoid issue. If you get the "trouble codes" read, we can likely take it farther towards resolution. If everything else seems OK with the trans., shift points, no eng. overspeed upon shifting, all gears come into play, you can drive it with NO TCC forever, if you want to. Several % fuel economy loss. However, if failed TCC solenoid deposited a bunch of metallic **** on top of the valve body, eventual metal particles in valve body may confound the whole issue.

I would: read trouble codes ( many auto parts stores do it for free). Check back here with those codes listed. imp

 

[ponkotsu]

With 230k on it, I'd say you are due for a tranny overhaul. You could try putting a new solenoid valve in, but if there is debris in the tranny, you will risk damaging the new valve. Could also be a bad torque converter, but that requires dropping the tranny to fix it. Dropping the tranny is 2/3 of the cost to rebuild so you might as well go all the way. Either way, you don't have a ton of time left. It's not like these tranny's regularly get to 300k.

 

[SevenT6Vet]

Thanks for responses. My OBD2 scanner (Garmin EcoRoute HD) would NOT read the codes...i think it only does check engine light codes. I dropped it off at shop last night and i'm anxiously awaiting to hear what codes they pulled off. The shop owner is a friend of mine, so I should get honest answers. I just hope their diagnostic equipment is accurate.

 

[imp]

Investing in a scanner with "CAN" protocol capability is a good investment, nowadays. Can be had for about a hundred bucks. Somewhere down the road, it will pay for itself. imp

 

[Sixonemale]

From my previous post: After driving about 300 miles, no codes, no OD blinking light. So if you ever get the blinking OD light and check engine light/code P0755 while the transmission shifts fine, look at the electrical connector/sensor which is located on the bottom of the truck kind of below the drivers seat. Dry it out with compressed air and seal it with tape so that condensate from AC does not get into and cause intermittent electrical shorts.

 

[SevenT6Vet]

P0741 Shop said code is for converter slipping. He said at minimum it would need new converter (not recommended due to age of transmission). Recommended 2 options:

1) rebuild trans, new converter, 1 yr warranty $2,700
2) new jasper trans, new converter, new trans cooler, 3yr/100k warranty $3,500

Any other possibilities? A solenoid I could try replacing?