Overdrive light blinking
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 14
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Overdrive light blinking
I tell you.... I at least feel 'more informed' and that is a good place to begin any dealings with automobiles and repairs....
You guys have been a great help so far. I just returned from a quick trip to AutoZone to see if they could get a reading off my 2000 F-150. The attendant was able to plug their diagnostic unit in, but apparently because the OD light wasn't actually blinking at the time, no error message appeared. (The truck has to run for a few minutes and get up to highway speeds before it starts blinking.) Is that correct from your understanding of these fancy machines.....? I'm used to the older versions of mechanic work and don't own any diagnostic meters for this new truck.
However, I would buy one if someone out there had a definate opinion about which unit would be best. At about $150 the model I just saw would pay for itself in two visits to the dealership (its $75 to hook up to theirs) to diagnose a problem..... Any thoughts Pro or Con on buying my own unit?
You guys have been a great help so far. I just returned from a quick trip to AutoZone to see if they could get a reading off my 2000 F-150. The attendant was able to plug their diagnostic unit in, but apparently because the OD light wasn't actually blinking at the time, no error message appeared. (The truck has to run for a few minutes and get up to highway speeds before it starts blinking.) Is that correct from your understanding of these fancy machines.....? I'm used to the older versions of mechanic work and don't own any diagnostic meters for this new truck.
However, I would buy one if someone out there had a definate opinion about which unit would be best. At about $150 the model I just saw would pay for itself in two visits to the dealership (its $75 to hook up to theirs) to diagnose a problem..... Any thoughts Pro or Con on buying my own unit?
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 14
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First opinion
RacerGuy:
Thanks for your optimism,(smiley face on your reply) but I'm not sure I'm there yet. Just got the word back from the Ford Dealership. They ran the codes and it came back, "Torque Converter problem" reference code. I don't have the exact code number but will get it today when I pick the truck up. The explaination was, "1 of 3 things - 1. Torque Conv. problem, 2. Valve body problem, or 3. potentially both"
Not sure what to do, but would lean toward getting a second opinion right now. With only 59K miles, no previous problems and driving fine right now (other than a flashing light), it just seems against all that is "Engineered Job #1" to be dealing with a potentially major expense right now!
Would love to see another smiley face......
Thanks for your optimism,(smiley face on your reply) but I'm not sure I'm there yet. Just got the word back from the Ford Dealership. They ran the codes and it came back, "Torque Converter problem" reference code. I don't have the exact code number but will get it today when I pick the truck up. The explaination was, "1 of 3 things - 1. Torque Conv. problem, 2. Valve body problem, or 3. potentially both"
Not sure what to do, but would lean toward getting a second opinion right now. With only 59K miles, no previous problems and driving fine right now (other than a flashing light), it just seems against all that is "Engineered Job #1" to be dealing with a potentially major expense right now!
Would love to see another smiley face......
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 14
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no quick fix??
so it sounds like no quick fix......
No way just to easily reset something and snap my fingers????
Do you suggest a second opinion and then just bite the bullet and put it in the shop and hope for the best?
Thanks.
No way just to easily reset something and snap my fingers????
Do you suggest a second opinion and then just bite the bullet and put it in the shop and hope for the best?
Thanks.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
You can try removing a battery terminal for 10 minutes or so to clear the light and see what happens. If the light comes back you're probably going to have to get it fixed sooner or later.
A second opinion wouldn't hurt. Do you have another Ford dealer close that you could take it to?
I'm usually leery about transmission shops. They usually try to sell you a complete overhaul whether it needs it or not.
A second opinion wouldn't hurt. Do you have another Ford dealer close that you could take it to?
I'm usually leery about transmission shops. They usually try to sell you a complete overhaul whether it needs it or not.
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Follow-up
Racer Guy:
I had the Tranny fluid flushed, cleaned and refilled. Drove fine, but eventually the light reappeared. Had one more incident where it didn't want to go into reverse and died down after very erratic RPM's surges. Still driving fine around town and on the highway.
Have been reading about Valve Body problems and wonder if the fluid is not being delivered properly due to a clog? It that something that can me accessed through the pan/filter? And can they be bought from dealer or parts house?
Wanted to see what your suggestions were????
I had the Tranny fluid flushed, cleaned and refilled. Drove fine, but eventually the light reappeared. Had one more incident where it didn't want to go into reverse and died down after very erratic RPM's surges. Still driving fine around town and on the highway.
Have been reading about Valve Body problems and wonder if the fluid is not being delivered properly due to a clog? It that something that can me accessed through the pan/filter? And can they be bought from dealer or parts house?
Wanted to see what your suggestions were????
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
I talked to one of our transmission guys at work and he says the most likely cause of the code you're getting is the torque convertor is shot but the not going into reverse problem wouldnt be caused by that. It's probably time to take it and get it diagnosed properly, line pressures checked etc.
gotta give you another one of these------>
lol
gotta give you another one of these------>
lol
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 14
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sound logic
yes, you bring about a good point. Dadgumit! I just don't want to hear "well, we're gonna have to tear it down to see what he problem is!"
I've had it suggested that I might want to look at putting a new after market Valve Body in should I have to go into it. Any thoughts there about brands, benefits, etc...?
I've had it suggested that I might want to look at putting a new after market Valve Body in should I have to go into it. Any thoughts there about brands, benefits, etc...?
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
hey Racerguy,
Just to follow-up.... I finally put her in for more investigation... Its the front pump (?) apparently not creating enough steady pressure to ingage the transmission. They recommend to rebuild to get warranty..... at the healthy price of $1600.
That is just the news I did not want to hear.
Question: Can you just have the front pump replaced? or is it too much labor to get into to it and not rebuild the entire transmission.
What would you do????
Just to follow-up.... I finally put her in for more investigation... Its the front pump (?) apparently not creating enough steady pressure to ingage the transmission. They recommend to rebuild to get warranty..... at the healthy price of $1600.
That is just the news I did not want to hear.
Question: Can you just have the front pump replaced? or is it too much labor to get into to it and not rebuild the entire transmission.
What would you do????
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
2000 f150 4.2L
I have a 2000 F150 4.2L with 100,500 miles. A couple of weeks ago it started to slip in 1st gear but after it caught all was fine. I took it to a local transmission shop that I have had good dealings with and he said it was my bellhousing and a solenoid that had to be replaced by dropping down the pan. He orginally didn't change the solenoid and it was shifting hard into 2nd occasionally so he checked that and part will be here tomorrow. Changed the 1st gear clutches and 6 month warranty for only 400.00
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 14
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slipping
From what I've learned, and from what the technician I took for a ride today said, my problems are a little on the odd side. Apparently this 'front pump' is up into the guts of this bundle of black magic (transmission) we all depend so heavily on, and will require a major going through!
I'd so hoped it was a simple fix......
Maybe a simple slipping would have been a blessing.....
I'd so hoped it was a simple fix......
Maybe a simple slipping would have been a blessing.....
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
This is why when it starts flashing, get it checked right away. These expensive rebuilds may not have been needed if the fault parts were replaced before they damaged other components in the tranny. The slipping TCC probably sent clutch material into the rest of the tranny clogging the valvebody and getting into other places where it could reek havoc.
If you get an error code, get it checked asap, it could save you tons of money down the road. This is why Ford designed these vehicles to warn you of a problem.
Jimmy
If you get an error code, get it checked asap, it could save you tons of money down the road. This is why Ford designed these vehicles to warn you of a problem.
Jimmy
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 14
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good point
and I would agree with you totally if the problem had gotten marginally worse, but it has remained the same from the very first surprise attack!
As far as Ford designing the vehicles to warn you, well there are two or three schools of thought along those lines, I'm sure. Personal allegiances and weekly paychecks usually being the primary decision makers.
As far as Ford designing the vehicles to warn you, well there are two or three schools of thought along those lines, I'm sure. Personal allegiances and weekly paychecks usually being the primary decision makers.