Intermittent "O/D OFF" flashing issue

[IIGood]

Twice this weekend I've encountered that dreaded "O/D OFF" flashing issue with my '03 XLT. It first happened on Friday as I was on my way home for the evening...I hadn't driven it much that day; maybe put about 30 miles on it and it was flashing on the last 10 minutes of the ride home. On Saturday when I started it up, the light was no longer flashing and never came on the whole day I was driving it. Probably put about 50 miles on it Saturday. Everything was working normal (had 4th gear, etc).

Then this evening, it came back on. Had a good run with it today...over 100 miles and all was fine until the last 15 or so minutes before I got home. The light started flashing and there was no 4th gear. I got home, shut it off, then fired it back up...no O/D OFF, 4th gear was back.

Could this just be the solenoid, or just in need of a fluid refresh?

 

[pet575]

Next time it flashes take it to a mechanic and get the codes read. Have them either print the codes out or see them for yourself and write them down, put them into your phone, whatever. Don't let them just pull the codes and tell you what they were. Too much opportunity there for you to get information they want you to act on (which could potentially be false) rather than you getting "the full story."

Can't say anything for sure without the codes.