O/D Off light flashing in console...

[taylormanson]

Ok, so I was making a gradual right turn when I hear a clunk-ish type noise and acceleration felt sluggish. The Overdrive Off light was flashing (and no, I hadn't pushed the button halfway or anything). I pulled over to a side street, put her in park and started her back up again. The light kept flashing although acceleration was normal. However, when I slow to a stop (at a light or sign, say) when I drop below the 1000/1200 rpm range I hear that slight clunk noise every time. It isn't as if it causes the entire SUV to jolt or anything, I just hear a slight clunk noise - something not normal. Any suggestions? I'm trying to scour up a meaning behind the O/D Off light flashing now. Thanks guys.

 

[taylormanson]

95 Explorer Sport automatic, 4wd... just turned 109k today. I'm not sure how often the ATF/Filter has been changed but I know I haven't changed it since I've owned it (bought it at 101,000) . The guy before me religiously took it to lube stop, so if they do tranny stuff there as part of the general maintenance thing, I shouldn't have to worry about the fluid/filter.

A friend's dad said possibly something could be up with the UJ in the drive shaft?

 

[boominXplorer]

Take the battery cable off for 10 mins then put it back on start it and let it idol for 10 mins or so. To see if its the U joint put the car in neutral and set the parkign break, then reach under and see if you can shake the driveshaft. if so then its a bad u joint. Not to long ago my o/d light sarted blinking all the time and after i would reset my truck it would start up again. Then the other night my tranny died. and i made it to 140k so i didn't do too bad.

 

[Alec]

The Ujoint wouldn't make the light flash. You're most likely losing your torque converter. I'd reset your computer as suggested above and see if the problem returns. If it does, take it to a tranny shop.

 

[taylormanson]

Thanks a lot Alec and Boomin'. I was skeptical to the U-joint being the source of the problem as well but I don't know enough about cars or my car myself to be able to make a 100% or even 75% right diagnosis on most problems. I disc'd the battery cable like you suggested and let it relearn everything and it seems to have taken care of things. Now if I could only get my e-brake to stop locking up (when I crank it down) to where it takes me a few pumps and releases to get it to ease off when I have to use that. Luckily as stated before, it's an automatic so I only use it when parking on the sloped drive. Thanks again for the quick help guys, it's extremely appreciated.