2004 Ford Explorer XLT O/D Indicator

rayf25 · 10-18-2009, 04:55 PM

Recently while driving my explorer the O/D Drive Indicator began flashing on the dash board.

The vehicle is currently in the O/D drive mode as the dash board indicator was not on and as the RPM are where they should be. Usually, the only time the O/D Drive indicator comes on the dash is when the you disengage or press the O/D Drive button on the transmission shift handle

I was wondering if anyone has experienced the same situation? .

Thanks.

Cuda_Jim · 10-18-2009, 05:15 PM

When that light flashes there is something wrong with the trans it could be slipping or over heating. Have it scanned for codes. Most code readers aren't 'smart' enough to help. Especially the freebie scans from Autozone ect.

rayf25 · 10-20-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuda_Jim

When that light flashes there is something wrong with the trans it could be slipping or over heating. Have it scanned for codes. Most code readers aren't 'smart' enough to help. Especially the freebie scans from Autozone ect.

Thanks for the reply. I understand that there might be something wrong in the trans...can it be a sensor, solenoid or anything along those lines? Thankfully, the there is no slippy in the gears. I tried to diagnose the problem with my Actron OBD II device and it was not picking up any codes. I might have to take it to a garage for diagnostic test.

Can you add anything else besides what you stated?

Cuda_Jim · 10-20-2009, 02:35 PM

If the trans senses a condition that is bad enough it will shift hard enough to give you whiplash. In some case it will not shift beyond second gear. By the time it gets to that point the trans may be junk. It can be slipping even though you don't feel it. This usually shows up as overheating.....

There are many other things that flash OD light. Here are few things you can do:
Is the fluid clean and set to the proper level?
If it's time for a a trans filter/fluid change now is good time to do it. How many miles are on the last fluid change?
Pull all the electrical connectors off the trans and inspect them for corrosion or bent/missing pins, water intrusion ect. Be sure to get the ones on top of the trans too.
Be sure the Trans Range sensor on the side of the trans is adjusted properly.

Most trans shops will pull the codes for free...they want your business.

rayf25 · 10-22-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuda_Jim

If the trans senses a condition that is bad enough it will shift hard enough to give you whiplash. In some case it will not shift beyond second gear. By the time it gets to that point the trans may be junk. It can be slipping even though you don't feel it. This usually shows up as overheating.....

There are many other things that flash OD light. Here are few things you can do:
Is the fluid clean and set to the proper level?
If it's time for a a trans filter/fluid change now is good time to do it. How many miles are on the last fluid change?
Pull all the electrical connectors off the trans and inspect them for corrosion or bent/missing pins, water intrusion ect. Be sure to get the ones on top of the trans too.
Be sure the Trans Range sensor on the side of the trans is adjusted properly.

Most trans shops will pull the codes for free...they want your business.

Thank you very much for following up to my question. There is a possibility that the fluid maybe old and warn down that it is causing the gears to slip.
I will definitely consider your recommendation to have the transmission serviced at a transmission shop and while at it have them inspect the inside to make sure there are no shavings in the fluid. Hopefully, that will resolve the situation and save me of having to spend a couple thousand dollars to replace trans. At that point, it would be better to just trade the vehicle for a new one.

rayf25 · 10-25-2009, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuda_Jim

If the trans senses a condition that is bad enough it will shift hard enough to give you whiplash. In some case it will not shift beyond second gear. By the time it gets to that point the trans may be junk. It can be slipping even though you don't feel it. This usually shows up as overheating.....

There are many other things that flash OD light. Here are few things you can do:
Is the fluid clean and set to the proper level?
If it's time for a a trans filter/fluid change now is good time to do it. How many miles are on the last fluid change?
Pull all the electrical connectors off the trans and inspect them for corrosion or bent/missing pins, water intrusion ect. Be sure to get the ones on top of the trans too.
Be sure the Trans Range sensor on the side of the trans is adjusted properly.

Most trans shops will pull the codes for free...they want your business.

I took the vehicle to a reputable tranmission shop and had a diagnostic performed on the car. The mechanic performed a diagnostic and no codes were displaying on the OBDII. He took the car for a ride and said that the gears are shifting normally for this type of vehicle. He said that it could be possible that it could be a faulty sensor on it. He recommended that I do nothing at this time as no need to waste the money.

Golfmoose · 11-02-2009, 06:18 AM

I just had the same thing happen to my 98 Sport. Unfortunately I had no problems with mine that could be felt while driving, it had 333354 miles on it and had been serviced normally for all the 11 years I have owned it. Turns out that the towing package cooler on the front of the radiator had clogged and the fluid could not circulate. The tranny had been overheating and most of the plastic parts had melted. Unfortunately I had no indication of a problem while driving until the light started flashing. But this was the first major proble I have had so I had it rebuilt $2900.00 worth. But if that light is flashin, the tranny is not shifting into high gear, and eventually you will notice that it bogs down as you slow down.

rayf25 · 11-07-2009, 06:36 PM

Golfmoose,

Thank you for your input. Earlier this year, the alternator went on the explorer and I had to get that repaired. Now about a few ago, the O/D indicator began to flash, but doesn't come on all the time. I hope that it is just a sensor on the transmission and nothing else. The truck has approx. 128k miles on it and other than this I have no major problems.

rayf25 · 11-11-2009, 06:05 PM

I took my car to the dealer and they actually ran a free diagnostic, which I was surprised and they told me that I had a faulty tranny. I said there isn't anything wrong with the trans. I then took the vehicle to a couple transmission shops and they gave me a free diagnostic as well. They told me that the Transmission Converter Clutch was being picked up on their OBD II reader and that there is nothing wrong with the Transmission. The repair was going to cost me about $600.00 including a full transmission service which costs about $200.00 on average. The tranmission specialist said NEVER do a transmission flush on your vehicle as it could do more damage on the interal components. He said I recommend people do a full transmission service where they take the down the pan, replace the fluid and the filter/gasket. NEVER FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION. Thankfully, that I don't need a new transmission, which would cost about $2500.00. Even, the transmission specialist said he wouldn't drop that kind of money. He also said that FORD install cheap transmissions on all their vehicles. At that point, I would dump the car and go and buy a foreign vehicle. Why would I want to drop that kind of money into a old car.

kally · 11-13-2009, 02:18 AM

Hello friends....

The Explorer is powered by a choice of two engines:

* 4.6-liter V-8 has an aluminum block and heads and is an overhead-cam design. It delivers 239 horsepower and 282 foot-pounds of torque and will go 100,000 miles before its first scheduled tune-up.

* 4.0-liter V-6 offers flexible fuel capability and produces 210 horsepower and 254 foot-pounds of torque.

Thanks