Overdrive Light "Blinking"
#1
Overdrive Light "Blinking"
I got this issue, and need to know some opinions:
I was driving my truck for about 20 miles and suddendly the overdrive light started to blink. I stopped the truck and turn it off and started again. The light turned off.
After a few seconds it started again (to blink). I continued without paying attention to it. But I noticed that when I'm starting to stop the truck, the trans. change to a lower gear.
When I accelerate it works normal, but when I'm stopping it shifts to a lower gear.
I was driving my truck for about 20 miles and suddendly the overdrive light started to blink. I stopped the truck and turn it off and started again. The light turned off.
After a few seconds it started again (to blink). I continued without paying attention to it. But I noticed that when I'm starting to stop the truck, the trans. change to a lower gear.
When I accelerate it works normal, but when I'm stopping it shifts to a lower gear.
#2
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#6
I just brought my 97 F150 to my mechanic for the same exact thing. Now I just have to wait and see what he says...
After I posted this same problem, I started browsing other postings, and came across many of the same problems with lots of different answers. Have you brought your truck in to the shop yet?
After I posted this same problem, I started browsing other postings, and came across many of the same problems with lots of different answers. Have you brought your truck in to the shop yet?
#7
flashing overdrive light
My wifes '03 windstar does the same thing. When going up a steep grade, I turn off the overdrive. After driving for a couple of miles, it starts to flash, I can't turn the overdrive off. I have to stop and turn the car off and then can turn it on and be on my way. I always assumed it was some safety precaution, just telling me to back off a little. I have never had to unhook the battery to erase the code. Someone out there has to know the cause.
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#8
Join Date: Feb 1999
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I have a 95 Windstar.
Don't know about newer models but in 1995 transmission codes were not 'trapped' by the computer. The light had to be flashing at the time of diagnosis.
A flashing OD light is an indication of a problem.
The transmission has 11 different sensors on it.
If a sensor goes bad a problem may be felt immediately, only at certain speeds or not at all depending on which sensor went bad.
This was a tough problem to figure out for my van because like many of you, when I shut it down the light stopped blinking and all the dealer could do was shrug his shoulders.
I ended up using a 'flight recorder' supplied by the dealer.
He installed it in the van.
I pushed the record button when the OD light blinked.
The code was finally trapped.
The $79 sensor was replaced along with $110 labor.
My transmission was saved for less than $200.
And that's the end of my story.
Don't know about newer models but in 1995 transmission codes were not 'trapped' by the computer. The light had to be flashing at the time of diagnosis.
A flashing OD light is an indication of a problem.
The transmission has 11 different sensors on it.
If a sensor goes bad a problem may be felt immediately, only at certain speeds or not at all depending on which sensor went bad.
This was a tough problem to figure out for my van because like many of you, when I shut it down the light stopped blinking and all the dealer could do was shrug his shoulders.
I ended up using a 'flight recorder' supplied by the dealer.
He installed it in the van.
I pushed the record button when the OD light blinked.
The code was finally trapped.
The $79 sensor was replaced along with $110 labor.
My transmission was saved for less than $200.
And that's the end of my story.
#9
Re: flashing overdrive light
Originally posted by rngr4x4
I have never had to unhook the battery to erase the code. Someone out there has to know the cause.
I have never had to unhook the battery to erase the code. Someone out there has to know the cause.
#10
Originally posted by Raoul
This was a tough problem to figure out for my van because like many of you, when I shut it down the light stopped blinking and all the dealer could do was shrug his shoulders.
This was a tough problem to figure out for my van because like many of you, when I shut it down the light stopped blinking and all the dealer could do was shrug his shoulders.
#11
Join Date: Feb 1999
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Originally posted by casey_1
That's because that dealer is stupid. The code remains in memory for about a month after the light stops flashing.
That's because that dealer is stupid. The code remains in memory for about a month after the light stops flashing.
I use a reputable dealer.
The model in question is a 1995 Ford Windstar.
The flashing OD and trip to the dealer were the same day.
Why would he say there was no code, then install the recorder?
How does a month figure into it anyway?
If I drive 15 hours or day for 30 days or let the vehicle sit for 30 days, are both of those still a 'month'?
#12
I said a month because it is 40 warm up cycles. Most people do that in about a month.
A warm up cycle is defined as engine start below about 80°F, and then warmed above 180°F. If you shut the engine off and restart before it cools below 80°F it isn't counted as a warm up start.
Many service people don't know enough about the 95 Ford Windstar to know that the system will store the code for 40 warm up cycles, which take about a month to complete. They look at the light, don't see it flashing, and shrug their shoulders.
Maybe I should have said they were ignorant of the facts instead of stupid. Either way they should know how the systems they service work so that they can fix a customer's problem instead of sending them away.
A warm up cycle is defined as engine start below about 80°F, and then warmed above 180°F. If you shut the engine off and restart before it cools below 80°F it isn't counted as a warm up start.
Many service people don't know enough about the 95 Ford Windstar to know that the system will store the code for 40 warm up cycles, which take about a month to complete. They look at the light, don't see it flashing, and shrug their shoulders.
Maybe I should have said they were ignorant of the facts instead of stupid. Either way they should know how the systems they service work so that they can fix a customer's problem instead of sending them away.
#14
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Originally posted by jpdadeo
Raoul, what was the function of the sensor they replaced? Nothing was wrong with the transmission itself, right?
Raoul, what was the function of the sensor they replaced? Nothing was wrong with the transmission itself, right?
This happened twice. The second time I limped home, and the next day it was fine.
I wanted this resolved. The dealer installed a small box connected under the dash, with a button to push which would trap codes.
It took two weeks before I trapped something.
The dealer called before that asking for status because they only had a few of these portable diagnosis tools.
The positive point to get from this is there is a tool available if you find yourself with an intermittent problem and the dealer response is 'no code" or "cannot duplicate".
#15