'97 Explorer Sport Dashboard Gauge Issues
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Newton, MA
'97 Explorer Sport Dashboard Gauge Issues
My '97 Explorer Sport (137,000 miles) has been having dashboard warning lights and gauge issues. Beginning this past summer, the oil pressure gauge has been flucuating rapidly from a normal reading to under the low setting, and eventually just sits at below low. This causes the check gauge light to come on. I have seen no loss in oil and continue to change the oil every 3-4,000 miles.
This past Friday, my O/D Off light began to flash. I checked the transmission fluid and it was at the correct level. On Saturday night, the light stopped flashing.
I'm wondering if this is some sort of electrical issue with the dashboard, or if I should have it checked out. Any thoughts?
This past Friday, my O/D Off light began to flash. I checked the transmission fluid and it was at the correct level. On Saturday night, the light stopped flashing.
I'm wondering if this is some sort of electrical issue with the dashboard, or if I should have it checked out. Any thoughts?
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
'97 Explorer Sport Dashboard Gauge Issues
The oil pressure gauge problem is probably due to a faulty sender. You'll need to replace it.
As for the OD light you will need to get the PCM scanned for codes and see where that leads you.
As for the OD light you will need to get the PCM scanned for codes and see where that leads you.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Newton, MA
'97 Explorer Sport Dashboard Gauge Issues
Hi,
Thanks for the advice. Looks like a loose wire was the issue on the oil gauge sender. That solved that problem.
Still wondering what to do about the O/D light. I had the code checked at Autozone, and P430 came up. I'm planning on having hte O2 sensors replaced to solve that one (I knew about it already).
The O/D flashing light has not reappeared since the weekend, and I have seen no indications of transmission problems (clunking,rough shifting, etc.) Is there anything else I should check?
Thanks for the advice. Looks like a loose wire was the issue on the oil gauge sender. That solved that problem.
Still wondering what to do about the O/D light. I had the code checked at Autozone, and P430 came up. I'm planning on having hte O2 sensors replaced to solve that one (I knew about it already).
The O/D flashing light has not reappeared since the weekend, and I have seen no indications of transmission problems (clunking,rough shifting, etc.) Is there anything else I should check?
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 886
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati
'97 Explorer Sport Dashboard Gauge Issues
The 5R55E transmission has a lot of valve body problems with the gasket blowing out. OD and the low/reverse servo are the two most common problems resulting from a valve bodu gasket blow out. When I changed the filter on my 97 I found all the valve body bolts loose. These tighten to only 7-8 ft-lb whigh is only a good twist. The valve body has two large gaskets with a metal seperator plate sandwitched between. Loose bolts can cause a big leak. The TCC valve could also be dirty and sticking. Hard transmission problems are less common.
