need O/D flashing help, but how it started is interesting

[rocket22]

To make a long story short, dont snowblow next to your car with an open window. I accidentally had my dash covered in snow, and when I started it the car the radio display is gone, no tuning works, although volume does and it is stuck on AM1000.

THe O/d light is now flashing and there is clicking like a relay under the dash. How do I read the trans codes in a 1995? It is not OBD II, it is an OBD II and I have read engine codes before from this car. Will the trans codes show the same way? What electronics in the dash could cause the O/D light? Also, if the trans was good before (assumption) will the limp mode ruin it?
1995 XLT, 2 wd, 140K miles. This is a $2000 car I use for towing a boat and local hauling.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

 

[IZwack]

Well it sounds like the problems are all in the dash -- the electronics sounds like they all got wet. I wouldnt even put the key in the vehicle in fear of causing more damage (by electrical shortages). But somehow someway, you have to get the interior to dry.

EDIT -- oh and disconnect the battery while the interior dries, just to be on the safe side

 

[rocket22]

so the question is more is there a relay for the radio and trans in the dash?

I hate electrical problems. If anypeople have had similar, chime in. Plus winter repairs are no fun!

 

[IZwack]

They're not relays, but the "heart" of those systems are behind the dash (quite obvious for the radio) -- switches, computers, and so on.

You're first step is to disconnect the battery and let the interior dry. Hopefully, after everything dries off, you wont have to make any winter repairs.

 

[rocket22]

yeah, it stopped flashing! (No it didnt burn out)

I clogged up the defrost vent and ran the defrost and was able to dry out the dash, at least enought to stop what was ever triggering the O/D light from flashing. What I did learn is that once that O/D light starts flashing, the Limp home pattern of shifting that occurs is terrible on milage and the 2-1 shift is a little sharp!

Thanks for the advice, I was worrried the trans was going which would have meant the end of this car, and parting it out. Now I will make a run at fixing the other things that are wrong.

Anyone have a used radio for a 1995 explorer?

 

[BrooklynBay]

The limp home mode is not recommended for driving if you could help it. It has increased pressure which makes the shifts hard.

 

[kythri]

The limp home mode is not recommended for driving if you could help it. It has increased pressure which makes the shifts hard.

Uhhh...

Aren't hard shifts better than soft shifts? I've always heard that soft shifts were bad for your tranny, but that the common perception is that hard shifts are bad, so the electronic-controlled transmissions like ours have been tuned for a softer shift, to counter those flawed perceptions...

 

[BrooklynBay]

A firm shift is good, bit not a shift with extreme pressure which could cause damage like breaking bands, or applying excess force on clutch plates to warp or overheat them. Sometimes you need this extra pressure in an emergency situation where there is a bad gasket or an O ring leaking.

 

[rocket22]

Redefined

Hard shift here was closer to a "slam" shift into gear, and the shift pattern was way off.

 

[kythri]

Gotcha.

Many thanks for the clarification.