OD Off light flashing AND Check engine light ON

[sne43]

Both lights went on yesterday. Hoping someone can give me an idea of what it might be. My '97 ex, 4.0 SOHC started not going into overdrive and the OD light started blinking and on the way home the Check Engine light then came on after about 5 miles. I was going very slow so as to not stress the vehicle.

About a month ago, I had the rear axle seals replaced. Any chance it could be associated with that? I am hoping it is not the transmission. With 177K on it, it would be time to buy a new vehicle and donate this one.

Thoughts?

 

[yeah61794]

It is most unlikely that it has anything to do with the rear axle seals being replaced. My advice is to get the codes read or read them yourself. Until then it is hard to tell what is causing the problem.

 

[mustangexplorer]

ok we had an ex that was a 97 eddie bauer with the SOHC 4.0 for the longest time we had it until it had about 170 some thousand miles, but we had the same exact thing when we would go over 75 on the highway for an extended period of time the trans would overheat, and that would make the o/d off light flash, then because that came on the check engine came on, we would just get the codes cleared and it would be fine until the o/d off light flashed again, it had a trans cooler on it, if you dont i would try that and change to a high quality fluid, that should make it last a little bit longer, i also hav a 99 now that the trans just recently went and im pertty sure they were the same both the 5L55E, which seems to have some problems...

 

[sne43]

More information

On your advice I went up and disconnected the battery cable to reset. I had not driven it since last night. The warning lights went off. I drove it about 5 miles and it seemed fine. I went increments of 5 mph and let it run for a minute at each speed. At 50 mph the light came back on and then at 10 the shifting did not happen and it reved, then I let off the accelerator and it shifted into a higher gear. The check engine light did not come on this time.

Any more thoughts?

I plan to take it to the shop in the morning and plan to drive 45 the whole way and hope to make it!

 

[marragtop]

Probably a dumb question, but have you checked your trans fluid level?

 

[jremington59]

If you have an autozone nearby take it there and get the code read. It could be as easy as the valve body gasket leaking or a shift solonoid not working.

 

[mustangexplorer]

sounds like what my 99 did you would drive it and when it went to shift it would rev, you would let off the gas and it would shift with a big cluck, then eventually it just stopped shifting into third all together, either my gear set for third broke or the band broke, there was alot of metal in the oil pan...