Flashing Light
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Flashing Light
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEA WHY THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT WOULD BE FLASHING ON MY 97 EXPO? JUST STARTED DOING IT TODAY...........made the mistake of taking it to the Ford dealer in my town. Had it there for plugs about a month ago. They call me back and say they are getting codes for slipage, telling me I need a new trans for $2500.00. I am getting a second opinion tomorrow. I can drive the thing for a good 25 miles and it shifts fine, then the light starts blinking and i can notice alittle harder shifts. I can then shut it off and start it back up and the light is off and again it shifts fine, then 25 miles later it starts again. I dont know if they are scamming me or what?......took it to another Ford dealer, they checked it out and found it to be vibration in the torque converter, flushed the fluid and added an additive, problem solved for $110.00. Glad I got a second opinion. 2 days later I sold the thing, looking for a newer one now.....update- bought a 96 suburban 4x4, love it
Last edited by sheriffdep; Mar 7, 2003 at 08:42 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 0
From: Mpls, MN
It's called a TCIL (Transmisison Control Indicator Lamp). When it blinks, this indicates that something inside the transmission is not functioning properly.
The transmision is controlled by quite a few solenoids, valves, and pistons that control pressure and shifts points. If something fails or a sensor receives an indication that something is operating outside of the specifications, the TCIL will flash.
It can actually be caused by quite a few different issues within the trasnmission. Mine was blinking a few weeks ago and it turned out to be nothing more than ice inside the wiring harness.
There will be a code stored inside the computer's memory indicating what's wrong. I'd suggest that you simply have the code retrieved and go from there. I would not personally go to a Ford dealer of a chain shop like AMMCO though. Rather, I'd suggest that you have the code retreived at an independent shop; hopefully one you have a trusting relationship with. If anybody says you need the transmisison rebuilt, get a least one other opinion.
The transmision is controlled by quite a few solenoids, valves, and pistons that control pressure and shifts points. If something fails or a sensor receives an indication that something is operating outside of the specifications, the TCIL will flash.
It can actually be caused by quite a few different issues within the trasnmission. Mine was blinking a few weeks ago and it turned out to be nothing more than ice inside the wiring harness.
There will be a code stored inside the computer's memory indicating what's wrong. I'd suggest that you simply have the code retrieved and go from there. I would not personally go to a Ford dealer of a chain shop like AMMCO though. Rather, I'd suggest that you have the code retreived at an independent shop; hopefully one you have a trusting relationship with. If anybody says you need the transmisison rebuilt, get a least one other opinion.
Last edited by AjRagno; Feb 16, 2003 at 01:36 AM.
Certified Goat Breeder
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,182
Likes: 19
From: the moral high ground
As was said, it could any one of many different things.
Don't just drive around with it blinking without knowing what's going on.
In my case, it indicated that somehow all of the money in my wallet and bank account had somehow been contaminated. Fortunately, they were able to extract all of it and dispose of it for me.
Thank you Ford, who knows what might have happened to me if I had been exposed to that contamination for too long.
I got a call from my Dealer. He said he noticed his indicator went haywire when I drove by the other day and was wondering if I had possibly accumulated any more tainted funds. Sure enough, there was a Twenty in my wallet. I put it in the mail to him and am just thankful that there are still people that go out of their way to watch out for our interests.
Don't just drive around with it blinking without knowing what's going on.
In my case, it indicated that somehow all of the money in my wallet and bank account had somehow been contaminated. Fortunately, they were able to extract all of it and dispose of it for me.
Thank you Ford, who knows what might have happened to me if I had been exposed to that contamination for too long.
I got a call from my Dealer. He said he noticed his indicator went haywire when I drove by the other day and was wondering if I had possibly accumulated any more tainted funds. Sure enough, there was a Twenty in my wallet. I put it in the mail to him and am just thankful that there are still people that go out of their way to watch out for our interests.
Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Stafford, Va
Last year I went Off-Roading and got seriously Muddy... Even the engine compartment was caked... The Light was blinking and I couldn't get it to shift into 3rd. After a serious Pressure wash around the wheelwells and diff area, it was fixed... Must have been some sort of speed sensor there...
Just a thought
Just a thought