Overdrive light flashing

[hammer9]

Have a 2003 F150 V-8 super cab with the OD selector on the gear shift. Lately, when I start up in the mornings, the light blinks, but will go off after the trans warms up. This does not work all the time. The worst time was the vehicle would not shift out of first. I drove a few blocks, shut it down, started back up, and everything was fine. Sunday, the OD light stayed blinking for a while but when I manually selected OD on/off, I felt the OD shift.
What's up?

[Raoul]

The O/D light on your gearshift has two functions.

1) Stays lite when the OD is Off
Stays unlite when the OD is On.

2) Blinks when there is a transmission issue, not just an OD issue.
The blinking serves as a Warning Light.
A Code is stored that can be read by a code reader.
Most likely one of the many sensors on the Trans is failing which is a cheap fix.

Ignore it and the cheap fix could become more expensive.

[hammer9]

I appreciate it and I had a feeling about that being a warning feature. How come the owner's manual says nothing about the feature?

[Raoul]

I'm pretty sure it's in my '99 manual.
It's well documented here.
Search on 'blinking' or 'flashing' in the trans forum and you get an idea on some causes-codes-fixes-costs-etc...

[bigdad8214]

Parts store will read the codes for fee, just make sure to wright them down!!

[Mark Kovalsky]

Parts stores can't read Ford trans codes. They usually will tell you there are no codes. You need someone with a scan tool that has Ford specific software. All Ford dealers have them, and many independant trans shops. I've never found a parts stores that has one.

[projectSHO89]

Originally Posted by Mark Kovalsky

Parts stores can't read Ford trans codes. They usually will tell you there are no codes. You need someone with a scan tool that has Ford specific software. All Ford dealers have them, and many independant trans shops. I've never found a parts stores that has one.

That's because the stores use the $125 scanners. If they used the $300 ones, they'd pick up the ability to read manufacturer-specific codes.

Steve

[Darrin Burch]

If you can find someone with a true Ford scanner, a Snap On scanner or any of the SCT flash devices with code reading capabilities then they can read the transmission codes.

Darrin

[projectSHO89]

I can read them with my Alex Peper interface and software. Cost around $125 a few years back.

Steve

[milkthegoat]

My mom had that happen to her on her honda pilot. It was a trans sensor for 2nd gear, so no big deal to replace.