Need help!!

[benihonas]

im working on a friends explorer for him he is stranded here and needs to get home. here is a list of the problems.

over heated on him but didnt register on the guage. figured a new watepump and thermo stat will fix that.

o/d light is flashing

and the front end shakes really bad. driving down the road feels like your driving your driving down a dirt road. its a really rough ride.

it shifts hard but i figured that had something to do with the o/d light bein on??

im not a ford guy and i have tried to do my research but it seems there is alot of problems with these. i need to get it fixed so he can go home to his family any help would be greatly appreciated. thank you

 

[2000StreetRod]

which engine?

Identifying the engine type will help the right members respond. In 1997 there were three possible power plants, 4.0L OHV V6, 4.0L SOHC V6 and 5.0L V8.

 

[benihonas]

its a 4.0 ohv i believe

 

[1998Exp]

Flashing O/D indicates a transmission problem. It's rarely something that a shade tree mechanic can fix... Have the codes read for more information. The fact that the gauge did not register the overheating could mean that it was driven to the point of losing a lot of coolant -- which might have resulted in transmission damage. What does the transmission fluid look like? Any burned smell?

 

[marragtop]

Flashing OD light puts the trans in limp mode which is why you are getting the hard shifting. Try resetting the codes (with a reader or disconnect battery for 10 mins). That will clear the trans code and hopefully it won't re-occur for awhile.