occassionally my OD light will flash....if it happens, it only happens after ive been driving on the highway for a little while....but it doesnt always happen. this is on a '98 4.0 w/ auto transmission

any ideas on what would cause this?

would this throw a code i can read on my scanner?

 

It has to do with your transmission. Get it checked.

 

You can try adjusting the bands. I'm not sure your code scanner will help you out. If anything it will come up with a slipping code.

I think your in for a new/rebuild trans.

 

Not necessarily! The PCM will trip a flashing OD light if it detects a loss of signal from either the Vehicle Speed Sensor or the Output Shaft Speed sensor.

Dan I'd check both of those sensors, then check their signals at the PCM. I'd recommend doing this before adjusting the bands or rebuilding anything.

 

awesome, thanks tim....ill check that out! thanks!

 

i had this happen to...i woke up went to school it did this all the way there and all the way home but the next time i drove it which was that night it had stopped and hasnt done it since so i would also like to know what u find out after fixing urs

 

don't mean to high-jack the thread, but mine did this too, and when it would shift, it felt like a giant hammer hitting the back of my car???? Hope that made sense, cause shifting hard was in not way good enough, it was shifting like it was trying to give me whip-lash
'01 4.0L Edge Auto.

 

This confirms that the PCM is not receiving a signal to control torque converter lock-up. This same signal is used for shift points and shift solenoid pressure, so you're having a failure in that signal. It's either the sensor (likely) or the wires (unlikely).

 

DUDE.........
samething happened to me, and I lost fourth and fifth gear (Overdrive) . get it checked out SOON !!! I took mine to a shop and they hooked it up to a computer and it said lost the two top gears. when you lose it can you see the difference in rpms to speed ?? as I did..... I lost mine in SC and Im here in NC well.. I could only go 66mph without blowing the rpms out the window....

as mine did the samething as I drove behind my truck as we took it to the shop(dad drove it ) when it did hit 4th (I could hear it ),the whole back end looked as if a 500lb man jumped in the back or hydrulics (SP ) one

 

it definitely affects the shift points for me too....when its on the shifting isnt smooth at all, so you may be right about the VSS

id be surprised if the tranny was shot already, the truck only has 70k on it....but i guess it could happen

 

My first auto went at 108k . Being you have 98 i was guessing you had far more miles than 70k.

 

alright so i picked up the ABS sensor (that replaced the VSS after 97)....it was $19, so if it doesnt work, who cares

if it ever stops freakin raining ill get out to install it and let everyone know what the outcome is.

in the meantime, anyone ever replaced one of these? any tricky parts i should be aware of? from reading haynes it sounds pretty straightforward

 

Hey Dan,

You're Ranger is 4wd right? If it is, is'nt there a speed sensor on the rear of yur transfer case. I don't have this vehicle but I think I've seen it there before. Just trying to help. I would run the codes though. Later.




Allen

 

i replaced the sensor in the rear case......it didnt help

light didnt come on immediately, but it came on after about 6 miles of highway driving. back to flashing light and sledgehammer shift points

oh, and no codes are being thrown

could this have something to do with faulty wheel sensors?

 

got it

does anyone know if autozone can pull tranny codes? or is that a dealer/mechanic type of operation

 

i know mine autozone and Advanced auto around me could not. i had to bring mine to a tranny shop for them to pull them i thought he said the port was behind the ash tray??? IDK i never looked and it was before he actualy scanned it. but it was for a diffrent reason.

 

guys, update....

i disconnected the battery for 30 mins to reset everything and clear all codes

i went for a 25 mile drive, averaging 60-80mph, and the light did NOT come on, all shift points were smooth, and overdrive was working

im not sure why that seemed to help, but the new sensor and resetting everything seems to have fixed the problem.....at least for now

 

The OD OFF light can come on for anything related to the trans. After getting the underside of my Explorer really wet, the light was set off by one of the speed sensors losing signal. Once it dried out, the light went away.

You should probably check the condition of your trans fluid if you are getting the light though. I believe the light can come on if the trans is getting too hot or there is too much slipping. Might be time for a change and a pan drop.

 

i just got my trans fluid changed about 100 miles ago....and there is only 70k on the truck so again, if there is any kind of real tranny damage id be surprised. if it comes on again ill take it to the dealer

freakin computers, imo

 

My 2001 Ranger Edge also has a flashing OD light. It comes on when I hit 40-45 mph. The trans seems to shift fine, not harsh, smoothly. I also notice the OD kicks in as it should and will turn on and of with the button. But the light stays flashing. The light goes off when I shut the engine off but then starts flashing again when I drive and get up to 40-45mph. Amy ideas, anyone?

 

Best to state Year+Model \ Engin \ Trans \ 2WD or 4WD \... in your Threads+Signature+Profile; makes asking+answering questions easier.
Flashing OD OFF lamp means there are Transmission TroubleCodes in the Computer.
First read & write down TroubleCodes via an OBD2 Scanner that reads both SAE+Ford data; click here for more info.
Assuming 4r44e\5r55e Trans; how long since a full service: PanDrop + ValveBodyBoltReTorq + NewFilter + NewPanGasket + BandAdjust + New5~7qtsMerconV ?