blinking overdrive light
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Junior User
Joined: May 2006
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From: New Jersey - SOUTHERN
blinking overdrive light
i've read some mixed reviews on this problem but nothing found the owner of a PSD. He's the deal....i noticed the tranny started shifting very firm. I mean a firm shift is good in some ways but this was uncomfortably firm. Next I notice the O/D light was blinking. Now whats weird is that the trans worked fine other than shifting firmly. The only thing I noticed that was a little out of the ordinary was when i'd was getting into an offramp, it'd downshift to third and sometimes right to second depending on speed and jerk me forward (because of the engine braking). Wasn't a problem, but I don't quite remember the trans downshifting so quick and with the other two symptoms im assuming im going to have a large headache on my hands very soon.
ANY IDEAS???? I've heard from one fellow that I should just bite bullet and rebuild the trans now. I don't quite have $2500 or so to be spending unless its absolutely necessary. Could this be as simple as im low on fluid? (i know this sounds stupid, i checked my fluid) or maybe the filter needs replacing?
THANKS in advance!!!!!
ANY IDEAS???? I've heard from one fellow that I should just bite bullet and rebuild the trans now. I don't quite have $2500 or so to be spending unless its absolutely necessary. Could this be as simple as im low on fluid? (i know this sounds stupid, i checked my fluid) or maybe the filter needs replacing?
THANKS in advance!!!!!
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,764
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You could start by inspecting the wiring leading to the vehicle speed sensor ,on top of the rear axle,Maybe remove it & see if it is covered with shavings , or maybe just need a new one..
If shavings are on it , you may want to change the lube also.....
If shavings are on it , you may want to change the lube also.....
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Junior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 81
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From: New Jersey - SOUTHERN
Originally Posted by Action4478
You could start by inspecting the wiring leading to the vehicle speed sensor ,on top of the rear axle,Maybe remove it & see if it is covered with shavings , or maybe just need a new one..
If shavings are on it , you may want to change the lube also.....
If shavings are on it , you may want to change the lube also.....
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,764
Likes: 39
Originally Posted by Olds_442
Would a speed sensor cause hard shifting though? I can understand the light blinking because of this but where exactly is it located, in the diff. housing? or literally on top, like the exterior.
Its right on top ,two wires....
The reason I suggested it , is its a cheap test.....May not be the problem.....Somewhere to start....
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 151
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From: Northern California
From what I understand, the O/D light flashing indicates the PCM has thrown a code that puts your tranny in limp mode. Higher fluid pressures to protect the unit until you get it fixed. If you turn of the motor and restart, does the flashing light go away?When this happened to me, I replaced the sensor, replaced the rear dif fluid, checked the wires, had my fluid and filter changed in the tranny. Drove it for about a year and 20k miles with intermittent codes (excessive slippage) when I did not turn O/D off. Two weeks ago I put in a Ford rebuild...$3k installed with a new rear seal on the motor.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,608
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From: Belair md
if the light blinks you have a codew, go to advance auto or autozone, they pull codes for free, odds are its a torque converter clutch code, and yes the hard shifts is default mode- max epc to save the tranny, it will reset each time you cycle the key until the slip occurs again
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,137
Likes: 41
From: Marble Falls, Texas
Replace the VSS. This will fix your problem 99% of the time. Trust me. Do this before you even think of replacing the tranny. It's alot cheaper.
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Freshman User
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blinking light indicates trans code,Ive replaced 2 transmissions in the last couple years,most probably its a tourqe converter code,check the code if its a converter code relpce it before it takes out the whole trans....the converter slips too much creating too much heat and will cook the tranny by the way the first transmission was a ford replacement ...it lasted just passed the warranty,sencond one done at local shop with upgraded electronics forces the converter to lock in faster,shifts a little harder,but not as hard as when you're in limp mode
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Junior User
Joined: May 2006
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From: New Jersey - SOUTHERN
Originally Posted by f350duallyguy
blinking light indicates trans code,Ive replaced 2 transmissions in the last couple years,most probably its a tourqe converter code,check the code if its a converter code relpce it before it takes out the whole trans....the converter slips too much creating too much heat and will cook the tranny by the way the first transmission was a ford replacement ...it lasted just passed the warranty,sencond one done at local shop with upgraded electronics forces the converter to lock in faster,shifts a little harder,but not as hard as when you're in limp mode
I don't mind throwing $25 into a VSS however my speedo works fine! Im thinking along your lines of the TC being bad. Although it is engaging and everything works fine. This is so frustrating. Oh well, i'd rather it be a stupid solenoid or sensor gone bad then having to redo the whole tranny.
Any suggestions on a good code reader/scanner (im looking more towards a scanner, readers stink)? I think im going to buy one since I also have a cavalier and never know when your friends might need to borrow it
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2006
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if it is the TC it will eventually compleatly fail ....just a warning.replacing the converter now is much chearer than replaceing the whole thing later. take it to a trans shop and and have it checked, alot of them run adds in your local paper for free trans check ups.if its the TC code just replace that.meantime if you disconect the batteries it will reset the computer and it will shift right until it slips again.
if you buy a code reader dont go cheap,a friend of mine has a reader that wont read my 97 f350,it always comes up with error but mech shops read it without problem
if you buy a code reader dont go cheap,a friend of mine has a reader that wont read my 97 f350,it always comes up with error but mech shops read it without problem
New User
Joined: Nov 2007
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2000 F350 with flashing OD
Mine has started flashing also - roughly at the same time the speedo started acting funny under 20 mph - herk-jerky at first and now it basically is 0 mph until 20 or so. Thanks for the heads up to allow me to tie the two issues together
