Reading Overdrive Light (TCIL) Code
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Reading Overdrive Light (TCIL) Code
During my research of transmission repair shops for rebuilding my 4R70W I was told that the Transmission Control Indicator Lamp (TCIL) a.k.a. Overdrive Light will blink the code when the fault occurs. The code must be read while the light is blinking. When the vehicle is turned off the TCIL will no longer blink until another fault occurs. The only way to get the code once the TCIL stops blinking is to use a New Generation Star (NGS) Tester $$$$. ODBII can’t get the transmission control unit codes. Has anyone heard of this and can confirm this? No website I have visited including AllDataDIY indicate this. I post this information since it might be helpful the others.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: St Louis
Someone has given you a LOT of inaccurate information.
The PCM will remember any stored code for a finite number of drive cycles, usually either 40 or 80, unless reset.
Any decent OBD-II scan tool will read ALL the powertain codes, including the transmission-related ones. The TCIL does not have to be on at the time. The TCIL does not communicate any codes, only the condition that a code has been generated and needs to be read by a scanner.
The "el-cheapo" readers ($40 bucks on ebay) may or may not be smart enough for this job, never tried one.
Steve
The PCM will remember any stored code for a finite number of drive cycles, usually either 40 or 80, unless reset.
Any decent OBD-II scan tool will read ALL the powertain codes, including the transmission-related ones. The TCIL does not have to be on at the time. The TCIL does not communicate any codes, only the condition that a code has been generated and needs to be read by a scanner.
The "el-cheapo" readers ($40 bucks on ebay) may or may not be smart enough for this job, never tried one.
Steve
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Joined: Jan 2005
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My light flashes also and goes off when the key is turned off. i have a obd II scanner and it will not pick up the code, it wasn't cheap and is one that was recommended by alot of people. My mechanic said he has a scanner that he will hook up and drive the truck and it will give him the code. Tried that with my scanner and it did not give me any codes so maybe my scanner wasn't worth the money. i was told by the ford dealer that the light needed to be flashing to read the code, but you would think it would store the code for so many drive cycles.
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Originally Posted by projectSHO89
Someone has given you a LOT of inaccurate information.
The PCM will remember any stored code for a finite number of drive cycles, usually either 40 or 80, unless reset.
Any decent OBD-II scan tool will read ALL the powertain codes, including the transmission-related ones. The TCIL does not have to be on at the time. The TCIL does not communicate any codes, only the condition that a code has been generated and needs to be read by a scanner.
The "el-cheapo" readers ($40 bucks on ebay) may or may not be smart enough for this job, never tried one.
Steve
The PCM will remember any stored code for a finite number of drive cycles, usually either 40 or 80, unless reset.
Any decent OBD-II scan tool will read ALL the powertain codes, including the transmission-related ones. The TCIL does not have to be on at the time. The TCIL does not communicate any codes, only the condition that a code has been generated and needs to be read by a scanner.
The "el-cheapo" readers ($40 bucks on ebay) may or may not be smart enough for this job, never tried one.
Steve
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 877
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From: South Florida
If you have a laptop handy try AutoEnginuity's Scantool program with the Ford enhanced package. It'll read any sensor on the vehicle, even stuff you don't want to know about....
AutoEnginuity® - OBD2 Scan Tool - Professional PC and PDA Diagnostics
- Mike
AutoEnginuity® - OBD2 Scan Tool - Professional PC and PDA Diagnostics
- Mike
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Lead Driver
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The OD switch lamp cannot flash a 4 digiet code you could keep track of.
It does need to be on as an alert that an issue was detected or you would not know some problem exist.
Everytime you shut off the igniton switch it resets the OD lamp.
As an example, switch OD off by button while the motor is running, the lamp come on, then shut the motor off and restart. The lamp will not come back on unless there is a fault detected.
The only thing the button does is disable the OD function.
The lamp is a seperate indicator to indicate you manuelly turned OD off and/or to light if an issue has been detected.
BTW, transmission codes begin in the P0700 to 0800 and 1700 to 1800 number series for most issues depending on what vehichle and what transmission it has.
It does need to be on as an alert that an issue was detected or you would not know some problem exist.
Everytime you shut off the igniton switch it resets the OD lamp.
As an example, switch OD off by button while the motor is running, the lamp come on, then shut the motor off and restart. The lamp will not come back on unless there is a fault detected.
The only thing the button does is disable the OD function.
The lamp is a seperate indicator to indicate you manuelly turned OD off and/or to light if an issue has been detected.
BTW, transmission codes begin in the P0700 to 0800 and 1700 to 1800 number series for most issues depending on what vehichle and what transmission it has.
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