03 Explorer Flashing OD light

In article , "SC Tom"
wrote:

> "aRKay" wrote in message
>
> >I am no expert but this does not sound good. Today for the first time
> > my wife's 2003 Explorer started acting weird. The OD (overdrive)
> > light on the dash was flashing and the button on the stalk did nothing.
> >
> > We stopped the car and after a few minutes started it up and the OD
> > button was acting normal. She took off and came back after a few
> > minutes saying the transmission was having a hard time shifting, the
> > OD button was flashing and the Check Engine warning showed up.
> >
> > Any suggestion on what I should check.
>
> Check for codes and get back to the group with the results.
>
> SC Tom

SC Tom,

Do I need a tool to check the Ford codes? The reason for asking is I
can pull up error codes on the Corvette via the DIC (Digital Info
Center).

I would like to know the codes before going to the Ford Dealer.
 >> Stay informed about: 03 Explorer Flashing OD light 

"aRKay" wrote in message

> In article , "SC Tom"
> wrote:
>
>> "aRKay" wrote in message
>>
>> >I am no expert but this does not sound good. Today for the first time
>> > my wife's 2003 Explorer started acting weird. The OD (overdrive)
>> > light on the dash was flashing and the button on the stalk did nothing.
>> >
>> > We stopped the car and after a few minutes started it up and the OD
>> > button was acting normal. She took off and came back after a few
>> > minutes saying the transmission was having a hard time shifting, the
>> > OD button was flashing and the Check Engine warning showed up.
>> >
>> > Any suggestion on what I should check.
>>
>> Check for codes and get back to the group with the results.
>>
>> SC Tom
>
> SC Tom,
>
> Do I need a tool to check the Ford codes? The reason for asking is I
> can pull up error codes on the Corvette via the DIC (Digital Info
> Center).
>
> I would like to know the codes before going to the Ford Dealer.

If there's a Pep Boys, AutoZone, or similar parts place around, they'll
generally read your codes for free. Have a pen and paper handy- they last
person I know that had that done, the guy called them off, then cleared his
scanner before my friend got them all.

Or you can buy a scanner for about $100, give or take, depending on what
features you want. Use it two or three times to fix your own problems and it
will have paid for itself versus the dealership.

SC Tom
 >> Stay informed about: 03 Explorer Flashing OD light 

In article , "SC Tom"
wrote:

> "aRKay" wrote in message
>
> > In article , "SC Tom"
> > wrote:
> >
> >> "aRKay" wrote in message
> >>
> >> >I am no expert but this does not sound good. Today for the first time
> >> > my wife's 2003 Explorer started acting weird. The OD (overdrive)
> >> > light on the dash was flashing and the button on the stalk did nothing.
> >> >
> >> > We stopped the car and after a few minutes started it up and the OD
> >> > button was acting normal. She took off and came back after a few
> >> > minutes saying the transmission was having a hard time shifting, the
> >> > OD button was flashing and the Check Engine warning showed up.
> >> >
> >> > Any suggestion on what I should check.
> >>
> >> Check for codes and get back to the group with the results.
> >>
> >> SC Tom
> >
> > SC Tom,
> >
> > Do I need a tool to check the Ford codes? The reason for asking is I
> > can pull up error codes on the Corvette via the DIC (Digital Info
> > Center).
> >
> > I would like to know the codes before going to the Ford Dealer.
>
> If there's a Pep Boys, AutoZone, or similar parts place around, they'll
> generally read your codes for free. Have a pen and paper handy- they last
> person I know that had that done, the guy called them off, then cleared his
> scanner before my friend got them all.
>
> Or you can buy a scanner for about $100, give or take, depending on what
> features you want. Use it two or three times to fix your own problems and it
> will have paid for itself versus the dealership.
>
> SC Tom

Everything is closed for New Year Day. Good tip to try Pep Boys or Auto
Zone
 >> Stay informed about: 03 Explorer Flashing OD light 

In article
,
aRKay wrote:

> In article , "SC Tom"
> wrote:
>
> > "aRKay" wrote in message
> >
> > >I am no expert but this does not sound good. Today for the first time
> > > my wife's 2003 Explorer started acting weird. The OD (overdrive)
> > > light on the dash was flashing and the button on the stalk did nothing.
> > >
> > > We stopped the car and after a few minutes started it up and the OD
> > > button was acting normal. She took off and came back after a few
> > > minutes saying the transmission was having a hard time shifting, the
> > > OD button was flashing and the Check Engine warning showed up.
> > >
> > > Any suggestion on what I should check.
> >
> > Check for codes and get back to the group with the results.
> >
> > SC Tom
>
> SC Tom,
>
> Do I need a tool to check the Ford codes? The reason for asking is I
> can pull up error codes on the Corvette via the DIC (Digital Info
> Center).
>
> I would like to know the codes before going to the Ford Dealer.

SC Tom,

I found a PepBoys open and the guy was slammed with business. Said it
maybe hours before he could pull out the codes for me. When I mentioned
the flashing OD light, he said he has seen it before on Fords. Said it
usually means the tool will show transmission codes and these codes
can also trigger the Check Engine light.

I don't do transmissions so it looks like I am going to have to bend over
and take it to the dealer in the morning. Tired driving it again today
and it slams into gear and sometimes slips. Not a good sign even though
the flashing OD lite has stopped. The OD button now turns it ON and OFF.

Sounds like big bucks to me!
 >> Stay informed about: 03 Explorer Flashing OD light 

On Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:13:15 -0600, aRKay wrote:

>In article
> ,
> aRKay wrote:
>
>> In article , "SC Tom"
>> wrote:
>>
>> > "aRKay" wrote in message
>> >
>> > >I am no expert but this does not sound good. Today for the first time
>> > > my wife's 2003 Explorer started acting weird. The OD (overdrive)
>> > > light on the dash was flashing and the button on the stalk did nothing.
>> > >
>> > > We stopped the car and after a few minutes started it up and the OD
>> > > button was acting normal. She took off and came back after a few
>> > > minutes saying the transmission was having a hard time shifting, the
>> > > OD button was flashing and the Check Engine warning showed up.
>> > >
>> > > Any suggestion on what I should check.
>> >
>> > Check for codes and get back to the group with the results.
>> >
>> > SC Tom
>>
>> SC Tom,
>>
>> Do I need a tool to check the Ford codes? The reason for asking is I
>> can pull up error codes on the Corvette via the DIC (Digital Info
>> Center).
>>
>> I would like to know the codes before going to the Ford Dealer.
>
>SC Tom,
>
>I found a PepBoys open and the guy was slammed with business. Said it
>maybe hours before he could pull out the codes for me. When I mentioned
>the flashing OD light, he said he has seen it before on Fords. Said it
>usually means the tool will show transmission codes and these codes
>can also trigger the Check Engine light.
>
>I don't do transmissions so it looks like I am going to have to bend over
>and take it to the dealer in the morning. Tired driving it again today
>and it slams into gear and sometimes slips. Not a good sign even though
>the flashing OD lite has stopped. The OD button now turns it ON and OFF.
>
>Sounds like big bucks to me!

The code flashing on the trans can likely be read without a scanner.
It will flash a nemeric code (say 14 flashes, and a pause ).
On my Mystique it did, and it was the range selector switch that it
pointed to. Put a new one in (something like $115) and it's been fine
since - about a half hour's work - including driving it into the shop
and back oput (it was too cold to do it on the driveway)
 >> Stay informed about: 03 Explorer Flashing OD light 

In article ,
clare.DeleteThis@snyder.on.ca wrote:

> The code flashing on the trans can likely be read without a scanner.
> It will flash a nemeric code (say 14 flashes, and a pause ).
> On my Mystique it did, and it was the range selector switch that it
> pointed to. Put a new one in (something like $115) and it's been fine
> since - about a half hour's work - including driving it into the shop
> and back oput (it was too cold to do it on the driveway)

I hope (wish) mine is just a range selector switch or something
like that. I worry as the transmission was slipping and clunking
as it changed gears.

Will find out on Monday

Trying to attenuate my personal hope amplifier that is not a
tranny

----
We will all be Fine in O9
 >> Stay informed about: 03 Explorer Flashing OD light 

In article
,
aRKay wrote:

> I am no expert but this does not sound good. Today for the first time
> my wife's 2003 Explorer started acting weird. The OD (overdrive)
> light on the dash was flashing and the button on the stalk did nothing.
>
> We stopped the car and after a few minutes started it up and the OD
> button was acting normal. She took off and came back after a few
> minutes saying the transmission was having a hard time shifting, the
> OD button was flashing and the Check Engine warning showed up.
>
> Any suggestion on what I should check.

Ford called back. The quick test showed code 733 and the tech says it
is not shifting correct to 3rd gear. He will work on it later today. If
not a broken band, there is an adjustment that sometimes works.

Maybe I will bet lucky with an adjustment and sell the thing
 >> Stay informed about: 03 Explorer Flashing OD light 

aRKay wrote:
> I am no expert but this does not sound good. Today for the first time
> my wife's 2003 Explorer started acting weird. The OD (overdrive)
> light on the dash was flashing and the button on the stalk did nothing.
>
> We stopped the car and after a few minutes started it up and the OD
> button was acting normal. She took off and came back after a few
> minutes saying the transmission was having a hard time shifting, the
> OD button was flashing and the Check Engine warning showed up.
>
> Any suggestion on what I should check.

i dunno, i've seen it many times in f150s, ignition coils
 >> Stay informed about: 03 Explorer Flashing OD light 

In article
,
aRKay wrote:

> In article
> ,
> aRKay wrote:
>
> > I am no expert but this does not sound good. Today for the first time
> > my wife's 2003 Explorer started acting weird. The OD (overdrive)
> > light on the dash was flashing and the button on the stalk did nothing.
> >
> > We stopped the car and after a few minutes started it up and the OD
> > button was acting normal. She took off and came back after a few
> > minutes saying the transmission was having a hard time shifting, the
> > OD button was flashing and the Check Engine warning showed up.
> >
> > Any suggestion on what I should check.
>
> Ford called back. The quick test showed code 733 and the tech says it
> is not shifting correct to 3rd gear. He will work on it later today. If
> not a broken band, there is an adjustment that sometimes works.
>
> Maybe I will bet lucky with an adjustment and sell the thing

The Ford tech called back today saying the adjustment did not work. As he
suspected the band (for the 3rd gear) is broken. The bad news is they
are booked up and cannot start on it until Monday. Full day job and
$1,050. Merry After Christmas and Happy New Year to the checkbook

So much for Ford Built stuff with 60k miles
 >> Stay informed about: 03 Explorer Flashing OD light 

In article
,
aRKay wrote:

> In article
> ,
> aRKay wrote:
>
> > In article
> > ,
> > aRKay wrote:
> >
> > > I am no expert but this does not sound good. Today for the first time
> > > my wife's 2003 Explorer started acting weird. The OD (overdrive)
> > > light on the dash was flashing and the button on the stalk did nothing.
> > >
> > > We stopped the car and after a few minutes started it up and the OD
> > > button was acting normal. She took off and came back after a few
> > > minutes saying the transmission was having a hard time shifting, the
> > > OD button was flashing and the Check Engine warning showed up.
> > >
> > > Any suggestion on what I should check.
> >
> > Ford called back. The quick test showed code 733 and the tech says it
> > is not shifting correct to 3rd gear. He will work on it later today. If
> > not a broken band, there is an adjustment that sometimes works.
> >
> > Maybe I will bet lucky with an adjustment and sell the thing
>
> The Ford tech called back today saying the adjustment did not work. As he
> suspected the band (for the 3rd gear) is broken. The bad news is they
> are booked up and cannot start on it until Monday. Full day job and
> $1,050. Merry After Christmas and Happy New Year to the checkbook
>
> So much for Ford Built stuff with 60k miles

This is an update (several days later) to say it was not a broken band
and they are still trying to figure out what is wrong. The tech has
been in communication with Ford HQ and they are giving him things to
test. Stay tuned.... this is probably going to be shaggy dog story.
 >> Stay informed about: 03 Explorer Flashing OD light 

In article
,
aRKay wrote:

> In article
> ,
> aRKay wrote:
>
> > In article
> > ,
> > aRKay wrote:
> >
> > > In article
> > > ,
> > > aRKay wrote:
> > >
> > > > I am no expert but this does not sound good. Today for the first time
> > > > my wife's 2003 Explorer started acting weird. The OD (overdrive)
> > > > light on the dash was flashing and the button on the stalk did nothing.
> > > >
> > > > We stopped the car and after a few minutes started it up and the OD
> > > > button was acting normal. She took off and came back after a few
> > > > minutes saying the transmission was having a hard time shifting, the
> > > > OD button was flashing and the Check Engine warning showed up.
> > > >
> > > > Any suggestion on what I should check.
> > >
> > > Ford called back. The quick test showed code 733 and the tech says it
> > > is not shifting correct to 3rd gear. He will work on it later today. If
> > > not a broken band, there is an adjustment that sometimes works.
> > >
> > > Maybe I will bet lucky with an adjustment and sell the thing
> >
> > The Ford tech called back today saying the adjustment did not work. As he
> > suspected the band (for the 3rd gear) is broken. The bad news is they
> > are booked up and cannot start on it until Monday. Full day job and
> > $1,050. Merry After Christmas and Happy New Year to the checkbook
> >
> > So much for Ford Built stuff with 60k miles
>
> This is an update (several days later) to say it was not a broken band
> and they are still trying to figure out what is wrong. The tech has
> been in communication with Ford HQ and they are giving him things to
> test. Stay tuned.... this is probably going to be shaggy dog story.

After a week of messing with it Ford tossed in the towel and recommended
a replacement transmission. Maybe next week with BIG bill.
 >> Stay informed about: 03 Explorer Flashing OD light 

In article
,
aRKay wrote:

> In article
> ,
> aRKay wrote:
>
> > In article
> > ,
> > aRKay wrote:
> >
> > > In article
> > > ,
> > > aRKay wrote:
> > >
> > > > In article
> > > > ,
> > > > aRKay wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > I am no expert but this does not sound good. Today for the first
> > > > > time
> > > > > my wife's 2003 Explorer started acting weird. The OD (overdrive)
> > > > > light on the dash was flashing and the button on the stalk did
> > > > > nothing.
> > > > >
> > > > > We stopped the car and after a few minutes started it up and the OD
> > > > > button was acting normal. She took off and came back after a few
> > > > > minutes saying the transmission was having a hard time shifting, the
> > > > > OD button was flashing and the Check Engine warning showed up.
> > > > >
> > > > > Any suggestion on what I should check.
> > > >
> > > > Ford called back. The quick test showed code 733 and the tech says it
> > > > is not shifting correct to 3rd gear. He will work on it later today.
> > > > If
> > > > not a broken band, there is an adjustment that sometimes works.
> > > >
> > > > Maybe I will bet lucky with an adjustment and sell the thing
> > >
> > > The Ford tech called back today saying the adjustment did not work. As he
> > > suspected the band (for the 3rd gear) is broken. The bad news is they
> > > are booked up and cannot start on it until Monday. Full day job and
> > > $1,050. Merry After Christmas and Happy New Year to the checkbook
> > >
> > > So much for Ford Built stuff with 60k miles
> >
> > This is an update (several days later) to say it was not a broken band
> > and they are still trying to figure out what is wrong. The tech has
> > been in communication with Ford HQ and they are giving him things to
> > test. Stay tuned.... this is probably going to be shaggy dog story.
>
> After a week of messing with it Ford tossed in the towel and recommended
> a replacement transmission. Maybe next week with BIG bill.

After 10 days in the shop, the 2003 Explorer is back with new (sort of)
transmission that is working fine. End of Shaggy Dog story
 >> Stay informed about: 03 Explorer Flashing OD light