Overdrive Light Flashing 95 XLT

[MagicPinstripes]

Hey all,

1995 Ford Explorer XLT 327000 kms. 4.0 V6

Recently my O/D light started flashing on me. I'm wondering what has happend to make this occur. I've noted that the manual calls for an immediate inspection.

I've noticed that my engine will rev up at random times, when there is no load, even going down hills. I tested this out by using cruise control and the same thing happens. Also, when I brake, the ABS comes on almost always, even on dry pavement.

Has anyone had any experiences with this?

Any idea of the problem or cost to fix it?

All suggestions or ideas are very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Evan

 

[Jason_25]

You need to get the codes read. Then you should know exactly what's wrong. Probably T/C related.

For the ABS, is the light on?

 

[Alec]

Sounds like either your TPS is bad or your torque converter is letting loose. If it is not your TPS then you most likely need at least a minor rebuild if you're already getting rev-up.

As for your ABS activating, mine started doing it too recently and I just disabled the system

 

[daniel cauchon]

Ok Magic here is the cured to your prob and that comes from Alec...He gave me this advice 2 wks ago and no prob since then.....change your TPS Sensor which is located right on the throttle boby...it take at the most 5 minutes tot do and it will cost you between 30 and 50$. Mine did the exact exact same thing..rev upi and came back to normal...and even the ABS started to act...but since then .trouble free !! try this...and thank Alec for it.

 

[agoric875]

i had this problem one time...i was wheeling on the beach, and i had it in low stupid of me...for a long time. the light started flashing and it continued til i got home in ct, it also shifted roughly. so i took it too a shop and the guy reset the computer and stuff and it's never gone on since, and it's shifts perfectly. just my experiences good luck.

 

[Stephen]

Two things, if you run a search for the O/D light you'll find that 8 times out of ten it shows that the transmission torque converter has gone bad and most people wind up in for at least a partial transmission rebuild. This is what happened to mine, and I needed a full rebuild.

As for the ABS, mine does it too its caused by bad ABS sensors making the ABS Computer think that the vehicle is stopped when its actually still moving. The computer then engages the ABS when it senses forward motion and thinks the wheel is stopped. Requires usually the sensors to be replaced, which can be very costly depending on how many sensors are bad.

 

[daniel cauchon]

MagicPinstripes..any update on your problem ?

 

[Texplorer]

Sorry for getting in on your thread but it is related. Today my OD light started flashing and I seem to loose reverse every now and then. Its shifting fine and everything is normal, just the reverse thing. Does auto zone check for OD lights or just CEL lights.

 

[agoric875]

couldnt tell you about autozone man, sorry...i just took my too the local shop and they tested it for 30 bucks...good luck hopefully nothing major is wrong.

 

[Frolin]

A quick note on the question, can AutoZone check when the OD light flashes? No, from my experience.

Having problem now on occasion, had it flashing and went to AZ and tehy checked, no codes came up on their test unit.

 

[Frolin]

Have '97 XLT with auto trans. The O/D lights will start to flash after driving a few miles but not every time. Seems to occur after 5-10 miles. Happens on the highway and in town driving, highway sometimes after 25-50 miles.

What I found is, when I come to a stop after this, stop sign or light, it seems to have a thunk when it changes gears. When I start up, all seems ok, so only seems to be a shifting issue and when down-shifting to a slower speed.

AutoZone test gave no codes or errors. I can park and go in for lunch, come out and no light until after 5-10 miles or so, and then only maybe. Is not a daily issue. Some days, nothing (when just local driving).

 

[frisbeeguy]

Howdy all,
I have the same problem starting this morning w/ the o/d light flashing. It's also not upshifting from first to second very well - beginning yesterday - and today the o/d light.
Bummer! 215,000 mi. w/o any previous probs. I will try the TPS sensor first - thanks y'all for the help & howdy up there in Toronto (my hometown for 20 years)

 

[scottyboost]

Please keep this alive.
My wife's Exploder has intermittant O/D OFF light flashing. The transmission performs flawlessly and has only 70,000 miles. She gets the flashing light maybe once every 2 weeks. Never any other sign of problem.

 

[Jason_25]

Guys please get your codes read and then we can help you out. If Autozone won't read them, either go somewhere that will, or pick up a diagnostic scanner yourself.. However, for a 95 I know for sure that a regular OBD I scanner will not read the tranny trouble codes. You 96+ OBD II guys should be able to pull the codes with a regular OBD II scanner.

BTW
If someone tells you that they can't find a code, and you haven't reset your computer since the CEL popped up, they are either lying or don't have the right equipment.

 

[raven52]

mine flashes too

I was driving up a "big" hill and all of a suddend I heard a "pop" and the light came on and the engine started to high rev from 2nd to 3rd gear. I went down to the shop and it looks like I busted a seal and so I am going to get a rebuilt tran online and swap it out with a bud of mine who is alittle more knowledgable. I am going to check the sensor to make sure that that is not an additional prob. I have 170k on it, so it is prob time for a little trany work.

 

[scottyboost]

Originally posted by Jason_25
Guys please get your codes read and then we can help you out. If Autozone won't read them, either go somewhere that will, or pick up a diagnostic scanner yourself.. However, for a 95 I know for sure that a regular OBD I scanner will not read the tranny trouble codes. You 96+ OBD II guys should be able to pull the codes with a regular OBD II scanner.

BTW
If someone tells you that they can't find a code, and you haven't reset your computer since the CEL popped up, they are either lying or don't have the right equipment.

I tried to pull codes last night. OBD II scanner does not work with the tranny light. I tried anyway and got no codes. That doesn't make sense to me.

 

[TrailDog]

Same Problem?

Hey guys,

My O/D OFF light just started blinking last night. When I got home, I shut her off, started it back up, and the light was off. This morning it was off, but after driving through town (about 5 min.) and getting up to 50mph, it started blinking again. Both times I had "cruise control" on, but not sure if it is related. It is still under warranty, so after the dealer does whatever they do, I'll let you know the result.

 

[scottyboost]

I'm willing to bet mine is heat related. The wife complains that it happens often (maybe once a week at least), but I only saw it once over a month ago. Every time she complains, I go for a test spin after the kids go to bed. I never get the light and I even go for extended highway rides. My thought is the heat during the day is helping trigger the code.

 

[TrailDog]

Update: the Diagnosis of O/D OFF light flashing

After the dealer cleared the codes, test drove it and got the same codes again, the Torque Converter is bad. Also, the rear seal is starting to go, so this will be changed with the tranny.

Looks like the warranty will cover both. The service mgr. will try to get a reman. trans. with 3yr/36k mile extra warranty. Or they'll just fix mine and extend the warrany one year.

This rig only has 73k miles. I was hoping to get a few more miles out of this thing. Maybe I'll have to go back to Toyota.