overdrive flashes "off"
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 26
Likes: 1
From: Tennesse
I forgot to say that the VSS sensor on the differential was in pieces and I had to fish it all out of the casing and then pull out the casing. That was so much fun. So much for an easy fix there it took me two hours to get that little piece of nothing out without having it fall down into the gear box. I got smart finally and put a sheet metal screw through the bottom and pulled it out. I know ford lied to me too. I can't see where a planetary gear would be falling apart without it acting up when the vehicle is not in o/d. It doesn't make sense. But they think when you are a woman that you don't know squat. I had a guy tell me my stabilizer bar in my 76 was bent and needed to be replaced it would be $250. So I had him show me where it was bent - it comes like that from the factory but he tried to convince me that someone had wrecked my 76 and then I bought it. I guess he didn't listen when I told him I bought the truck brand new and I put the 500,000 miles on it so I knew it had never been wrecked. Boy did I let him have it for trying to rip me off, I even took in a picture of the stabilizer bar blown up in the book showing the bend in it.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Louisville, Kentucky
Originally Posted by ribbons8489
I was trying to find the VSS sensor and realized it was on the back differential and have replaced that one. I was told the other day that there is another sensor on top of the transmission and the only way to get to it is to take out the seat and take up the carpet, then you will find a metal cut out plate to take off and there is a sensor under there that is another vss sensor. I haven't attempted this yet as I am still trying to figure out if I have fixed the problem with the o/d light flashing. I just can't believe the planetary gear is falling apart when the vehicle runs perfect when you turn off the overdrive but if you leave it on it has that jumping and horrible knocking. I would think if the planetary gear is bad like they say it would be bad wether the o/d was on or off. Does that make sense or is Ford right and the planetary gear could be bad but only affects when it goes into overdrive? I bought this other sensor that goes on top of the transmission but haven't taken out the seat yet to find this access panel under it. This is a 1996 full size bronco 4X4 does anyone know anything about this supposed access panel? I know there are wires running across the top of the transmission but there is not enough room to really see what is up there like a sensor. A guy at Napa insists this is a sensor and causes this type of problem.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 26
Likes: 1
From: Tennesse
I will need to go try and get one to see what it looks like, the sensor I was given as a vss is not at all correct since there is no way to put it on the speedometer cable. This OSS sensor sounds like it may be the one since it does kind of delay before taking off. After i replaced the sensor on the rear differential I was really hoping it would work since the sensor had come out trashed but didn't make much difference. When you say inside the tailshaft housing are you talking the rear of the transmission? and it is accessible without taking off the housing? I hope it is. Man tearing apart the interior was loads of fun, and putting it back together was even better. I was so bummed when I opened it up and there was not a sensor there at all let alone the one they sold me at NAPA. I will give this a try and thank you so much.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Louisville, Kentucky
Ok here goes, 1) remove the 2 19mm? nuts that hold the rear transmission mount to the cross member. 2) jack the transmission up as high as you can get it. 3) remove the rear transmission mount from the tailshaft housing. 4) lower the transmission until it contacts the crossmember. That should give you enough room to access the sensor. 5) Looking at the transmission from the rear, you will see about 10 13mm bolts holding the tailshaft housing to the transmission body. Just aft of the 12 o'clock bolt position you will find a wiring harness plug. Remove the plug and the 10mm bolt that holds the clamp and sensor to the tailshaft housing. 6) pull the sensor straight up toward the floor of the truck. You may need to wiggle it back and forth a little. Reverse procedure to install the new sensor. Also, put a little vasiline on the O ring prior to installing the new sensor. Let me know how it goes.
Jerry
2000 F-350, Crew cab, DRW , 2x4 7.3 DI Turbo, 400,000+ miles
Western Diesel Chip, no muffler,
Jerry
2000 F-350, Crew cab, DRW , 2x4 7.3 DI Turbo, 400,000+ miles
Western Diesel Chip, no muffler,
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
hi guys i havent been driving my truck much maybe 2000 miles since the first o/d light flash. no prob since i cleared it. the trans guy said it showed a trans slip code. vacation time is coming up and i will be pulling the camper. im hoping to avoid any probs on vacation. im wondering if theres a way that i can treat it rough trying to make it slip. i dont want to beat on it but i guess id like to push it hard to see if its ok and was just some fluke code or if theres really a prob. my question is whats the best way to drive it that would cause it to slip if its gonna slip??? any help is appreciated...
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Pacific NW
Overdrive Light Blinking - ABS light On - Speedo ?
Thanks for this site being available.
A couple weeks ago my Overdrive Light was blinking, the ABS Light was On and my Speedometer would only work above 25 mph. After reading all the threads associated with "these" problems, I was able to deduce that it was the VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor) that was more than likely the problem. I had to purchase mine at a Ford dealership due to unavailability at NAPA ($29.72) (part #: F85Z-2L373-AC) (original 11/98 part #: F85F-9E731-AA).
Thanks for the 3/8" socket and die-electric grease idea's - suggest taking a screwdriver to pop the unit out of axle.
MY symptoms started when I put it in 4 wheel drive and pulled my trailer out of a slippery area about 200 feet. I then put it back in 2 wheel drive and had a loud bang and ABS light came on along with the OD light blinking. About a week later the Speedometer would malfunction.
Thanks for the tips on this subject and how to change the transmission oil. I appreciate every word and abbreviation in all these threads.
A couple weeks ago my Overdrive Light was blinking, the ABS Light was On and my Speedometer would only work above 25 mph. After reading all the threads associated with "these" problems, I was able to deduce that it was the VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor) that was more than likely the problem. I had to purchase mine at a Ford dealership due to unavailability at NAPA ($29.72) (part #: F85Z-2L373-AC) (original 11/98 part #: F85F-9E731-AA).
Thanks for the 3/8" socket and die-electric grease idea's - suggest taking a screwdriver to pop the unit out of axle.
MY symptoms started when I put it in 4 wheel drive and pulled my trailer out of a slippery area about 200 feet. I then put it back in 2 wheel drive and had a loud bang and ABS light came on along with the OD light blinking. About a week later the Speedometer would malfunction.
Thanks for the tips on this subject and how to change the transmission oil. I appreciate every word and abbreviation in all these threads.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 26
Likes: 1
From: Tennesse
I changed out my VSS and bought the part at Napa for $22. It didn't work but I am onto the OSS sensor fishman002 told me about and how to change. Hey all you guys I am so grateful also for all your help. I have to get a chance to get this OSS done on my bronco but I never would have even known about it had this man not been nice enough to answer my post and then to go into to detail about how to fix it. I am so thankful to have this place to come to. It is hard to be a woman and ask most mechanics anything - they think you are an idiot because your plumbing is different, well I can assure you I do come equiped with a brain and am mechanically inclined. Thank you all so much.
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New User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
My overdrive light just came on too and trans is acting up
Hey guys,
I got an 2000 v10 4x4 Excursion and its got about 50k on it, and the overdrive light is flashing currently, and the trans is acting up bad. I feel it has to be mechanical more than just a sensor because it makes a mild grind/ quick clacking noise when starting to drive when its cold and not warmed up all the way. Then when it gets warmed up it wont pull away until it hits 2000rpm's. I went to go get a used tranny today and im getting rid of this beast for sure!
I dont want to do it but im not getting trapped in a money pit with this truck when ford is thinking of not even manufacturing these anymore. I was on cloud nine when I got this truck, and after 2 problems in 8k miles im done.
My main question is, has anyone had a sensor go bad on the tranny (4R100) that really made it sound like it was a internal mechanical problem. Cause I would much rather change a sensor or 2 than drop this trans out tonight, or tomorrow morning???
I got an 2000 v10 4x4 Excursion and its got about 50k on it, and the overdrive light is flashing currently, and the trans is acting up bad. I feel it has to be mechanical more than just a sensor because it makes a mild grind/ quick clacking noise when starting to drive when its cold and not warmed up all the way. Then when it gets warmed up it wont pull away until it hits 2000rpm's. I went to go get a used tranny today and im getting rid of this beast for sure!
I dont want to do it but im not getting trapped in a money pit with this truck when ford is thinking of not even manufacturing these anymore. I was on cloud nine when I got this truck, and after 2 problems in 8k miles im done. My main question is, has anyone had a sensor go bad on the tranny (4R100) that really made it sound like it was a internal mechanical problem. Cause I would much rather change a sensor or 2 than drop this trans out tonight, or tomorrow morning???
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 26
Likes: 1
From: Tennesse
I have been trying to get the Output Shaft Sensor from every parts store I can find and I keep getting told they don't exist. You had told me to replace it to stop the OD light from flashing like a month ago. It is my only form of transportation so I can't take it out and then go to town and get the sensor, I have to have it here and ready to put in. Is it called something else. Mine is the 1996 Ford Bronco and you had told me to go into the transmission through the shield to replace it. What else could it be called. I replaced the sensor in the differential and it does run better but still the OD light is flashing. I still have your directions fishman on getting in there and will do it when I can get the right part.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
My overdrive light started flashing on my 95 bronco 5.8L not too long ago. When the light starts flashing the shifting gets very hard (rpms rise very high then shifts hard). I went to Aamco transmission the other day and got a free diagnostics test. They found that the Vehicle speed sensor code came up. So they cleared the code and said that may be it. They wont fix it for me cause it is a free promotion they are having. Well about an hour later when i went ou t the light started blinking and the same promblem is there. Having the vehicle speed sensor coming up, should i buy a new one??? or not bother
Last edited by deepbass; Jul 20, 2005 at 08:45 PM.