o/d light flashing

[tapetags]

I know this is a common thing, and I've read through as many posts on it as I could, but nothing really helped me. And in a manor of speaking my car is out of commision right now.
95' Explorer XLT V6 4.0 (Green)
My o/d light just started flashing yesterday, and I got the error code 647-thrid gear failure. I cleared the code and drove it down the street again just to listen to the shifting, which sounds fine to me, and so far no error codes or flashing o/d light.
I had the o/d light flashing problem 3-4 years ago, and being ignorant to cars just kept driving it around. Eventually, I took it in, and I paid way to much for this shop to rebuild it. He said when he dropped the pan to check for shavings, the fluid was just burnt to it and obviously it needed work. According to him a sensor gave out, and if I had come in when it started it would have been alot less. He said he replaced the bad sensor as well. I don't know what kind of job he did at the time. But that was 3 years ago.
Right now, the fluid is nice clear red and plenty of it. Haven't dropped the pan yet though.
I don't want to make the same mistake again, so does anyone have any ideas on what it could be? Something I should check maybe? If it needs to be rebuilt again, I will have to take it in, I live in an apartment with limited tools, but I don't want to give up on my EX, I love it to peices!
Thanks, Donna

 

[exploded99]

I think you might want to post this down in the transmissions and transfer case forum. S/B more help there!

 

[4bye4]

error

my has been flashing for over 75,000 miles, thought i would what till it gaveout,but it just keeps working

 

[marragtop]

The OD light on my 95 comes on about once a year. I've pulled codes which sometimes reveals the 647, and sometimes no codes. Now, if the light comes on (again, only about once per year), I disconnect and reconnect the battery to reset the codes and I'm good for another year. I've read many horror stories about people being ripped off for a rebuild, only to have the light come back on. Most trans shops only understand one thing.... rebuild. BTW.. it's not good to drive them a great distance with the light flashing. The trans goes into 'limp/cripple' mode which causes hard shifting on the trans.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Sometimes a small thing could cause a code to come on. In the case of a code 646 (second gear failure), you could adjust the intermediate band, and that will usually fix the problem. Your transmission has shift solenoids, so it might be possible that one is going bad. You could also try to unplug your white plug on the transmission, and clean the contacts with a contact cleaner spray. If there is a little corrosion built up inside of it, it might be causing a poor connection.