Transmission ID + O/D Light Flashing

[battmantiss]

I have a 1997 Explorer EB Limited, the Transmission code is "D", which could be one of 3 transmissions. What's a sure fire way to ID the trans? I'm getting the OD Light flashing on and off also, trans seemks to shift fine so am going to try and replace the filter and see what's in the pan when I drop it.

TIA!

 

[FIND]

Which engine do you have?

edit: you said you have a transmission code D, then you have a 5r55e

 

[battmantiss]

Engine

Hi, thanks for the reply! It has the 4.0 SOHC, I guess I should have mentioned that in the OP. The transmission shifts just fine, except when the OD light starts flashing. When it starts flashing it shifts/downshifts a little hard. I first noticed this yesterday on the freeway, I was doing 60MPH and noticed the light flashing. I hit the OD button and it "downshifted" (?) and when I hit it again it went into the other gear, so I'm guessing all works fine there. Also, today I drove it at 50MPH and noticed the RPM was around 1900, eased on the accelerator and the RPMs went up a few but nothing drastic. As mentioned I'm going to drop the pan and change the filter, and look for any metal or other debris while the pan is down. Anything else that I should change or look for while the pan is down?

TIA!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Find out what the code numbers are first. The flashing O/D light indicates that there is a fault which is causing it to go into FMEM or "limp" mode.

 

[drdoom]

Yes, like BrooklynBay says, get the code read ASAP. Trust me you don't want to put this off. You might as well do that before you buy any fluid. Also post up your mileage and service history on the transmission. I know a guy who owns a transmission shop, and he tells me average 135,000 miles service life on a 5R55E. Get the codes read, and write them down...don't just let the tech tell you "such & such". Get the actual codes (P****).

 

[battmantiss]

The vehicle has 190k miles, was owned by a business man who drove to New York a lot. Supposedly the vehicle was very well taken care of, when things needed done they were done. He's not around to ask questions.

ETA: My brother has an Actron CP9180 Autoscanner Plus. Will this pull the trasnmission codes? He doesn't really know all of the features of this scanner and I know nothing about it, but he did let me borrow it.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I think that this scanner will work since it's capable of reading manufacturer specific codes.

 

[FIND]

Yes, that one scans tranny codes.

 

[battmantiss]

I can't get any codes or errors with the scanner. Everything checks out fine. I just got this vehicle a couple days ago. I took a spin earlier and nothing. No flashing lights, trans shifted just fine like it did when I test drove it. My brother used to work for Rossler Transmissions rebuilding transmissions. He now has a cushy desk job doing IT, lol. He said it sounds like an electrical issue since the transmission is doing what it's supposed to do. It shifts really smooth, down and up, no high RPMs or anything out of the ordinary. He said it's more than likely one of the solenoids or the wiring harness. I did find a local shop that will diagnose for free so I'm going to take it to them tomorrow morning. Will update post afterwards.

 

[C420sailor]

Not trying to scare you, but my tranny started doing the exact same thing. No problems around town, but after an hour or so on the highway the OD OFF light would start flashing. I noticed that it usually happened on a long uphill stretch, and usually immediately after downshifting out of OD. I also noticed that my cruising RPM in OD was a few hundred RPM higher than before the light would kick on. While slowing down she would bang through the gears...clunky downshifts.

If you let the trucklet sit overnight, she'd heal. OD OFF light would go away after a little bit of driving and she'd be fine...until the next road trip or stint on the highway.

Finally got the codes pulled and the torque converter wasn't staying locked up. It would unlock and slip on the highway (hot, under load) and trip the code. Had the tranny rebuilt and the torque converter was cooked, a band was broken, and some of the gears were damaged. I had mine rebuilt at 140k. The problems started around 125-130ish?

Hope your problem is an easier fix, just figured I'd let you know how mine turned out.

 

[drdoom]

C420sailor, my converter went at 174,000. Exact same symptoms. Exact. Only difference was my transmission had no internal "damage", just a fragged converter.

 

[ludasisk]

Mine is doing the same thing

 

[drdoom]

Get the codes read ASAP.

 

[BrooklynBay]

You need a scanner which is capable of reading manufacturer specific transmission codes.

 

[Odin]

My light has been flashing for about a month.

I remember reading somewhere on the forum (can't find it now) that a solenoid was all that had to be replaced.

The only difference that I am seeing in my light flashing and what is happening to others is that my tranny does not **** hard and my RPM's don't increase when the light is flashing.

It drive normally with no problems just that flashing light. At a stop if you turn off the vehicle and immediately turn it back on the light goes off, it will come back on periodically but there are times it has stayed off.

Any thoughts on what solenoid i can look at replacing or any other suggestions.

 

[drdoom]

Get the codes read, then post them up.

 

[Odin]

Codes are P 0741

Like I said it isn't shifting hard yet, but I want to fix the issue before it turns into a problem.

I have noticed that the light flashes when the vehicle is on a longer trip or the temperature outside is high (it has been high 90's to the 100's here). In the morning the light doesn't flash or come on, but in the afternoon on the drive home after I have been at 60 mph or higher for a time the light starts to flash.

 

[drdoom]

Sounds all too familiar. Maybe you could.change the TCC but it is hard to tell with 0741, many components involved in that game like the torque converter, solenoids, pump stator seal, valve body, etc. What I can tell you is mine diid the exact same thing. I let go for a while when I was tracking down the right scanner, and my truck ended catching fire from overheated torque converter.

 

[Odin]

Well thank you. Got an appointment at a friends transmission shop for this week. I was hoping it was a do it yourself type project but apparently it is above my minor mechanic skills.

Thanks for the help

 

[2009KVFD976]

My 01 4.0 4x4 started slipping but no codes. now it slips and the od light started to flash. il get the codes read with my cp9580a and post up any codes it finds... btw it has 175k on it and the trans got replaced last yr..