OD Off indicator light

[Larry B]

My 95 Explorer is an automatic with 88k miles and runs well. The other day, the OD Off indicator light started flashing on the instrument panel. I have tried turning the overdrive on and off to see if this would clear. The transmission is working fine and the overdrive turns off when I push the button, but the indicator light keeps blinking regardless. I don't have the owner's manual so I was hoping that someone can tell me what this means.

 

[Opera House]

The OD lamp is used a a "check engine light" for the transmission. It means that the computer detected a momentary problem with the transmission. Without a symtom, you can't tell what the problem might be without reading the code.

 

[Brain]

If you want to clear the code to see if it reappears (which would meen that the problem isn't just a passing/one time thing) just disconnect the battery for several minutes (I'd give it half an hour to be sure it cleared). I'm not sure but I think there was a way of turning the on and off so that the code would be displayed morse-code style.
The 4R series transmission (closely related to the A4LD) has an internal sensor in it that tells when and how fast the OD drum is turning, and if it doesn't match up with either the specific fraction of the engine RPM or zero (when the OD band is applied), an error code is stored. It could be a band, it could be the sensor (I have an extra brand-new one of those if you want it -$5), or it could be something else. First, properly check the fluid level of both the transmission and the engine coolant, and then clear the code. See if the blimking re-appears and if it does, post again.

 

[Larry B]

I disconnected the battery and it apparently cleared the trouble code. The flashing light has stayed off now for the past several weeks without any reoccurance. Thanks.