O/D button

[ant00r1]

hi all. just got a 2001 ST 4x4. it seems though the O/D button doesn't work. if i push it , it doesn't drop down a gear (at speed) and the light doesn't come on. any ideas? thamks ,ant

 

[chad551]

Mine is the same way. Let me know what you come up with.

 

[manaen]

have you tested the button with a multimeter to see if it is actually function's

 

[Squirrelmaster]

From my personal experience, and especially that of my friends and family, that would have to be the most common Ford problem in existence (I'm exaggerating of course ). With exception of my past two Explorers, everyone I know with a Ford truck has had the knob with the OD button come off, usually resulting in one of the wires in the stalk getting torn loose. My buddies Bronco's OD button tore the wire at the button, so it was an easy fix, but his father's Expedition tore inside the shift lever making it almost impossible to fix (it was some good $$$$ to fix it). I've also seen one that popped off, but didn't tear the wire loose, however when they stuck the knob back on it pinched and cut one of the wires.

I would check to ensure both the wires are still connected to the switch and then proceed from there. Good luck.

Tom

 

[bisjoe]

For me the gear shift end is a silly place to put it. Almost every time I put it in reverse I turn off the OD.

 

[ant00r1]

thanks everyone. i will try to tear into the button to see what i find. it might be a while till i get time to do it it so if anyone gets to it before i do please post your findings. if not i'll post what i find. thanks again, ant

 

[ManOverboard]

<newb question> What does overdrive do?

 

[seeyalater]

basically over-drive allows the transmission to spin faster then the motor. lessens the work load and will improve gas mileage.

 

[ant00r1]

anybody got any ideas on how to get the O/D button off of the shift lever without pulling the whole thing out of the column ?

 

[Squirrelmaster]

Sorry I can't help on that, I've never actually taken one apart that hadn't already fallen apart, so I can't tell you how to do it without breaking it (not to mention it's been a few years and I have a horrible memory :scratch: ). Maybe someone else can chime in with some help. Good luck .

Tom

 

[ant00r1]

ok heres what i've found so far. first i found this- http://www.fordforum.com/m_26830/tm.htm
so i popped off the button, checked it with meter ,it seems to be ok. then i checked the voltage on the poles one has around 2.5 volts the other is dead. so anybody got any other ideas?

 

[DawgGrad00]

Checked you connections on the transmission itself? Otherwise, I'd have to say it was something internal. I actually just went through absolute hell getting mine rebuilt. It was almost so bad that it's made me think about selling it, cheap. I would just go ahead and take it to transmission shop and have it checked out.

 

[ant00r1]

just to follow up . i found out today why my O/D button and reverse lights didn't work. it was because the previous owner, for some reason, took the fuse out of #27 & put it in #23 which isn't used. so i put the fuse in #27 & shazaam i got O/D off & reverse lights but it also activated auto door lock feature. ant

 

[DawgGrad00]

That's great. I wish I had that kinda luck.

 

[manaen]

just to follow up . i found out today why my O/D button and reverse lights didn't work. it was because the previous owner, for some reason, took the fuse out of #27 & put it in #23 which isn't used. so i put the fuse in #27 & shazaam i got O/D off & reverse lights but it also activated auto door lock feature. ant

the auto lock feature can be reprogrammed and disabled.

 

[Squirrelmaster]

just to follow up . i found out today why my O/D button and reverse lights didn't work. it was because the previous owner, for some reason, took the fuse out of #27 & put it in #23 which isn't used. so i put the fuse in #27 & shazaam i got O/D off & reverse lights but it also activated auto door lock feature. ant

Sure is nice when you get lucky like that huh ? Sounds good.

Tom