It doesn't happen too often. But when it does, I can shut the truck off and the light will go away. The bigger issue seems to be every day and at every start from a stop...I have a "jerk" and i don't know how else to describe it......Seems like a hesitation and a jerk when I take off from a start. I had an issue with a universal joint(not being installed correctly) but are there 2 universal joints in a drive shaft? Are the 2 problems linked to the same issue or are they 2 different demons?

 

Year of the Ranger would be good?


There is a slip joint on the drive shaft, this needs to be lubed with Blue Ford grease, it can make a "clunk noise" or feel like a jerk when starting forward if its slipping too much

OD OFF light is the CEL(check engine light) for an automatic transmission
So flashing OD light means a transmission code was set
These codes are P0700 to P0802, you can see some of them here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...II_codes.shtml
Also P17xx and up are some others

Most OBD2 code readers can't "see" transmission codes, you can check at local auto parts stores, where they will read codes for free, ask if their scanner can get transmission codes
Any transmission shop can read transmission codes, but they may charge you for the time to do it, but its FREE to ask

I would check and get the codes, if you look at the above link you will see guessing at what might be wrong would be foolish, lol, at least a code(or two) can narrow down the things to check

 

my apologies...2003 Mazda B3000

 

just wanted to revisit to put part of this thread to rest. I removed the drive shaft today and lubed the spline really well and the "jerk" I described went away. I still need to get the scan to figure out what is going on with the flashing OD light.
RonD, I wanted to thank you for helping solve another issue with my Mazda.

 

Good work

Thanks for the thanks, and the follow up, it WILL help someone else one day