o/d light flash on dash

[t0rr3ad0rr3d]

This is the 2nd time I've had this happen, out of nowhere the o/d light on the dash would constantly flash, I'd pull over & shut the truck off then on the restart there's no more flashing. I'm wondering what could cause this, I've asked a friend if he ever heard of this & he's not too sure what could be causing it. Any help or ideas are greatly appreciated

 

[BrianDye]

The OD light flashing is indicating that your trans is in "Limp Mode."

Search around a bit, it could be something as simple as some water getting to one of the electrical plugs, to something very severe. But basically when its in limp mode, it means get it home ASAP, and park it.

 

[05dink05]

The OD light flashed on my 99 XLT. I was 400 miles from home so I took it to the closest Ford dealer. The dealer said I wouldn't make it home and needed to replace my entire transmission. I asked for the code numbers they pulled and called my local shop back home. My local shop said it wasn't a big deal - TCC solenoid/valve. Local guy said what was broke is already broke and its not going to hurt anything. I drove that truck for another 6 years and added over 100,000 miles after that and never had a problem. Yeah the light flashed but that was the end of it. I also towed many trailers and boats with that truck with no problems. I say get it checked out and see what it is for sure, but don't have a heart attack, it could be nothing.

Oh and DON'T trust the ford dealer! lol

 

[BrianDye]

Ford dealer wants your money, they probably would have said 6000$ for a new one plus labor

I just dont like the way it shifts when its in limp mode. Theyre very hard shifts, specially from 1-2 it slams into gear.

 

[dcdyd]

I noticed that my O/D light was constant on and then disappear after a short period of time. May be 10 minutes. When it was on, pressing the O/D button doesn't do anything. Could 'Limp Mode' be the same reason for this symptom?

By the way, what is exactly 'Limp Mode'?

 

[imp]

The OD light flashing is indicating that your trans is in "Limp Mode.".....

I have seen this mentioned before, and am skeptical. I, too, drove the vehicle a long way home, complete with the "O/D OFF" light flashing. 'Course, I already knew the cause was no engagement of the Torque Converter Clutch. Other issues which cause the flashing light COULD lead to a big failure, no doubt.

But "limp mode"? imp

 

[BrianDye]

basically, the system detects a problem, and then dumbs down its sensor inputs to barely reacting to anything.... its like brain damage, but not permanent.... the computer senses there is a problem, and cuts off what it wants to do to just barely function to save itself from further damage

It's a fail-safe programming strategy that the system reverts to in the event there is a fault detected with the system. For example, if the VSS was to say, short out, and it saw 150 mph in 1st gear, the system would say, "That sensor must be off because it's way out of range. Use this programming strategy to run the trans for now, store a trouble code, flash the lights, and limp-home until the sensor reading is back in its specified value."

And another:

In FMEM or limp mode, the computer increases the pressure threshold of the EPC solenoid to apply more hydraulic pressure to the internal pistons, clutch packs, and valves in a situation where there might be some sort of malfunction. In regualar driving, it's not necessary to have such high pressure, but if a part is leaking like the valve body gasket, the vehicle won't be able to go into gear unless it has sufficient pressure to apply the before mentioned parts.

 

[drdoom]

Caution

Be careful, my Explorer caught on fire when this happened. I am so glad I had a good fire extinguisher on board.

 

[BrianDye]

Hm, there must have been some other severe problems for something like that to happen..

 

[drdoom]

Hm, there must have been some other severe problems for something like that to happen..

Code P0741 Torque Converter Clutch System stuck off.
Transmission overheated when it slipped, and blew a quart or two of ATF directly onto the cats.

 

[BrianDye]

(Excuse my stupidity, I didnt even think of the overheating factor)

I strongly advise getting those tranny codes pulled!

 

[drdoom]

(Excuse my stupidity, I didnt even think of the overheating factor)

I strongly advise getting those tranny codes pulled!

Dude, you're not stupid, stupid was me continuing to drive with the light flashing! LOL

 

[NJExplorer1997]

P0741 Code on my 97 Ex. It's shifting a little harder when it flashes. Every 10-15 miles it goes back to normal. AAMCO said the transmission needs to be rebuilt but I don't have the money to do it. I didn't want to get rid of my Explorer but it looks like I need to. Almost $2000 to rebuild the tranny at AAMCO. For that I can just get another one. I only paid $1600 for it.

 

[drdoom]

P0741 Code on my 97 Ex. It's shifting a little harder when it flashes. Every 10-15 miles it goes back to normal. AAMCO said the transmission needs to be rebuilt but I don't have the money to do it. I didn't want to get rid of my Explorer but it looks like I need to. Almost $2000 to rebuild the tranny at AAMCO. For that I can just get another one. I only paid $1600 for it.

Yeah, NJ, same code I have. Quote I got was nearly $3000.00. I have never done one before, but I am in the process of procuring parts to do a rebuild myself. I plan to post a rebuild thread with photos here once I get started.

 

[BrianDye]

Id get ahold of a few more shops, I have the 5.0 X and was quoted 1400$ fo a full rebuild parts and labor drop my truck off and come back 3 days later.

Couldn't afford that, luckily we found a part out on here with a rebuilt 4r70w with under 200m on it I scored for 280$

 

[nmatlock]

This just happended to me...or at least i think it did. I was fishing and on the way home i was climbing a really steep hill and and started smelling smoke. I turned the car off at the top and heard a dumping (solid stream) of oil on the front passenger side. The strange thing is that all of my levels look fine, but my OD light is blinking. I imagine the next step is getting the code pulled come next week, but could you let me know what you all think?