I just noticed that my overdrive light is flashing. I checked the fluid its fine. Its still going into overdrive because when I press the button you can feel it kick in and out. When I'm stopping it almost feels like it jumps out or maybe into gear. Please help I don't really need tranny problems and I wasn't sure what forum to post this in.

 

I"ve heard this being the forewarding of other problems. Do a search on overdrive lights and see what you find. I'm afraid if memory serves that you may be in for some tranny trouble.

 

The truck has 114,000 on it and I have no idea if the tranny has ever been flushed or what. Would a tuner help? For firmer shift points. That may be the needed excuse for the tuner. Its a 99 f-150 4x4 with a 5.4

 

My overdive light flashes only on the interstate (long drives) very rearly in the city; maybe once or twice. The tranny seems fine. It has been doing this since 1997. I don't even get a code. I flush my transmission every couple of years, which reminds me I need to do that soon. The only thing is that it seems to shift slow in the morning.

 

Mine is doing that to. Mine is a 99 4.6l f150 automatic 4x4. It shifts fine all the time. Only time light comes on is when i top 50 for a few minutes. When i take my kids to school in the morning (about 40 miles total) it never comes on because i never top 45 mph. Local transmission shop is going to check it out for me for free and let me know if any repairs are needed. They said that a few of the ones they had fixed like that only needed some kind of sensor. Hope thats all it is. i'll post when i find out.

 

My Cousin's truck did that and it is a signal for a shorted out relay. His was under the hood and got wet when he went through high water and caused the problem. Might want to start there. Good Luck

 

That could be, I have gone through a lot of high water. Now thats an idea.

Thanks

 

It feels like it kicks out when downshifting from 2nd to first. It does it at about 22mph but only when its in overdrive.

 

The flashing O/D light is to the transmission as the CEL/SES is to the engine.

The computer flashes it to indicate that it has detected an operational fault.

The only way to determine where to look is to scan the codes (same as for a CEL/ABS) then look up the codes in the correct service manual.

Typical electrical causes are vehicle and turbine speed sensors, DTR sensor, solenoids with electrical faults, and other similar stuff. Mechanical failures inside the transmission can also set codes and the sensors and computer pick them up.

First step is to scan the codes. Once you have that, you'll know what direction to look in. Any thing else is just guessing and that's about as effective as farting into a hurricane.

Steve

 

Hey did you ever find out what was wrong with yours...mine is doing the exact same thing for about 2 weeks now.

 

I still have no idea. There is no ryhme or reason that I can think of. A couple of weeks ago I drove to New Orleans and nothing appeared. I mostly drive in a small town and very very rearly get it there; mostly on the highway/interstate when it flashes. I have just lived with it for almost ten years. I need to have the transmission flushed. Sometimes I think thats Fords way of getting you to bring it in for a quick $160 flush.

The transmission has always felt slow or sloppy to shift to me. Ford... what can you say.

 

mines doing the same thing but with a little clattering. i changed the trans filter and fluid.but no luck if you find what it is like to know too.

 

Until you scan for the codes, you'll never know why the OD light has been coming on.

A cheap, generic scanner may not do it.....

Now, if your OD light has been flashing and there have been absolutly no operational issues detected, you might have a chafed wire in the gear shift or the steering column.

Steve

 

Your correct. I did forget to mention that while the truck was under warranty for three years, the dealerships would not get a code. I would even bring it to them while it was flashing. The changed some part on the transmission one time but nope, same thing. They also flushed it several times, that seemed to help the slow shifting. I just live with it.