Transmission problem???
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 383
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From: MA
Transmission problem???
While on a long trip yesterday on a highway with many good size hills, I noticed that the overdrive off indicator light on the transmission shift lever was flashing. I had not disabled the ocerdrive. This happened after approx 60 miles on the hilly highway. After exiting the highway I noticed that the transmission was not shifting as smoothly as normal. I shut the vehicle off and restarted after a few minutes and the overdrive off indicator was no longer flashing. When I pressed the inidcator button the light remained on. I then test drove the vehicle and everything seemed fine: smooth shifts, overdrive on and off worked fine. I also checked the transmission fluid and it was on the low side of the "hot" range indicated on the dip stick.
My exp has a 5.4 l engine and 3.31 axle ratio, 4x4, 62000 miles
Was the flashing a deliberate indication of a malfunction of some kind or is this some sort of intermittent electrical problem?
My exp has a 5.4 l engine and 3.31 axle ratio, 4x4, 62000 miles
Was the flashing a deliberate indication of a malfunction of some kind or is this some sort of intermittent electrical problem?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: MA
Transmission problem???
The shifting problem was encountered at low speed probably 30 mph or less as I exited the highway and only travelled less than a mile through three traffic lights. Prior to that I had the cruise control set to 70 mph.
After reaching my destination and shutting off the engine for a few minutes, my test run speed ranged from 0-50 mph over five miles and the transmission shifted smoothly.
On my return trip home ( a total of 250 miles), the transmission seemed to shift fine, but due to traffic conditions, I could not use the cruise control as much.
Thanks
After reaching my destination and shutting off the engine for a few minutes, my test run speed ranged from 0-50 mph over five miles and the transmission shifted smoothly.
On my return trip home ( a total of 250 miles), the transmission seemed to shift fine, but due to traffic conditions, I could not use the cruise control as much.
Thanks
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 292
Likes: 5
Transmission problem???
The flashing overdrive light is to remind you that you shouldn't use overdrive under the driving condition (up hill). The overdrive "up shifted" the transmission to increase the gear ratio, therefore to reduce the engine RPM to save gas. Because of this up shift, the torque is reduced. When you drive up hill, this lack of torque will cause engine to stall and the computer turn the light on to remind you. Of course, when this condition is gone, you don't have a flashing light anymore.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,297
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Transmission problem???
The flashing overdrive light is the transmission's version of a "check engine" light. If it's flashing, it's indicative of a problem. I've never heard of this light functioning as a reminder to shift out of overdrive.
