OverDrive indicator light on '97 Explorer

[BorderView]

The indicator light for "O/D Off" or overdrive being disengaged is blinking. The overdrive is working and is disengaged when the button is pushed. It seems to just be the light blinking. The downside is, it's tough to know if O/D is on or off unless you push the button.

Any thoughts?

[Big Buck Buster]

You could have either a short in the wiring harness or a bad solenoid in the valve body. One other thing that I have ran into was the switch itself.

You will have to get the code(s) from the PCM, and go from there. Diagnostics for that code will have to be performed to find the cause.

BBB

[Scott K]

It just means there is a code in the tranny.

[jeffreyd]

rather than having a light on the dash like a check engine light, the light flashes when there is a code in the transmission.

[BorderView]

thanks guys. I appreciate the sharing of your knowledge.

[mn_bowhunter]

You'll need to make sure you get it scanned with a diagnostic tool that does drivetrain. My father in law's code reader was $600 and didn't read mine. Turned out to be a transmission fluid temp sensor voltage out of range for me. I guess the PCM will have to guess the temp since I'm not likely changing it.

[Scott K]

Pretty much any code reader will pull the codes out of this model. The tranny does not have a separate module on this vehicle, it is part of the pcm.

[zamboni]

I too have a 97 Explorer. Before I bought mine, I found a 96 and the O/D lite was blinking. I did some research online, and usually the trouble is corrosion in the wiring on the tranny. Especially with all the salt that gets put on our roads. Alot of the time, unplugging it, cleaning it will fix it. Other times, you have to clip the wiring on it and re-wire a new plug.

[jeffreyd]

might put a dab of dielectric grease in the plug too, not sure what the oem says about the use in the electrial plugs. I know detroit diesel says not to use any DE grease.