2000 Ford Explorer O/D light flashing!!!

My 2000 Ford Explorer O/D off light starts flashing after driving it after 3-8 miles from starting out. After shutting it off, it resets itself. It seems to stick between 2nd and 3rd (automatic trans) because I get a surge on my RPMs. I took it to two places, spent $200.00 and the problem remains. The tranny shop actually changed a "range sensor" and thought it was fixed. Nope - O/D off started flashing before I even got back home. I've been looking on the internet and it seems that alot of explorer owners have been having the same types of problems. Can anyone help????? The shops I have talked to have no idea other than rebuild my transmission. It only has 46,000 miles on it! It seems to me that the overdrive is not kicking in when needed and the light comes on. Help!!

My 2000 Ford Explorer O/D off light starts flashing after driving it after 3-8 miles from starting out. After shutting it off, it resets itself. It seems to stick between 2nd and 3rd (automatic trans) because I get a surge on my RPMs. I took it to two places, spent $200.00 and the problem remains. The tranny shop actually changed a "range sensor" and thought it was fixed. Nope - O/D off started flashing before I even got back home. I've been looking on the internet and it seems that alot of explorer owners have been having the same types of problems. Can anyone help????? The shops I have talked to have no idea other than rebuild my transmission. It only has 46,000 miles on it! It seems to me that the overdrive is not kicking in when needed and the light comes on. Help!!

Hi, have a similar problem and do not have an answer. I will continue my search and let you know what I find out. Have a family member that is a Ford service manager--hope to contact him by Friday with this problem.

Glad to here there's someone out there who knows this "phantom" problem exists! The transmission shop that I took it to last said they would scope it again at no cost if I could bring it in when the light is flashing and when they are open-with work and all that's been a problem.... I have read a in a few places that this problem may be related to the torque converter sticking/locking up. It just seems like a electrical or sensor problem due to the sporadic way the overdrive works and then doesn't work... Of course my warranty covered 3 years or 50,000 miles whichever comes first... I only have 46,000 miles on it although it is a 2000 - that figures! I did buy an extended warranty since I didn't buy it new but of course the company went bankrupt! No help there... Please let me know if you find anything out. I would greatly appreciate it and I'll do the same!

Glad to here there's someone out there who knows this "phantom" problem exists! The transmission shop that I took it to last said they would scope it again at no cost if I could bring it in when the light is flashing and when they are open-with work and all that's been a problem.... I have read a in a few places that this problem may be related to the torque converter sticking/locking up. It just seems like a electrical or sensor problem due to the sporadic way the overdrive works and then doesn't work... Of course my warranty covered 3 years or 50,000 miles whichever comes first... I only have 46,000 miles on it although it is a 2000 - that figures! I did buy an extended warranty since I didn't buy it new but of course the company went bankrupt! No help there... Please let me know if you find anything out. I would greatly appreciate it and I'll do the same!

I will let you know what happens--went to the dealership, they were very vague at to the possible problems. said i needed to bring it in when flashing and have tech look and see what code is saying. I am concerned that it will be unclear as to direct fix.
Tom

It sounds like the same problem i am facing right now. Please post what you find out and i will do the same. The first shop said it looks like a bad clutch in my third gear??!! About 1800.00 to fix.....i will keep researching.

Ever since the transmission shop said they would scope it again for free if I brought it back when it was flashing -it wouldn't do it again. That was fine with me! Everything was fine for 3 weeks, and just this past week it has started acting up again. I'm taking it back next week -I'll let you know what comes out of it! Let me know if you find anything in your research...Thanks!
Sherri

Ever since the transmission shop said they would scope it again for free if I brought it back when it was flashing -it wouldn't do it again. That was fine with me! Everything was fine for 3 weeks, and just this past week it has started acting up again. I'm taking it back next week -I'll let you know what comes out of it! Let me know if you find anything in your research...Thanks!
Sherri


HI Sherri--Ford took mine apart to find that the solinoid that controlled the Coupling and un-Coupling of the torque converter was broken. They replaced the solinoid and it works well.

Tom

Wonderful!!! I'm going to take mine back in this week - I'll be sure to ask them them about it! This is the first clear solution that I have heard of so far!!! I'll let you know what comes out of it.
Thanks,
Sherri

Hi All,
Took the truck back in today -told him to change trans fluid and to check the lock/unlock solenoid while he was at it. When I picked it up, the guy told me that when he dropped the pan he found the valve body gasket blown for the 2nd gear solenoid. He changed that and also updated the EPC valve. He said that for some reason, the scope was locked out of the transmission codes and he couldn't read them. Worked fine on the way home -sure hope that was it!
Thanks,
Sherri

If it happens again, have them check the valve body. Ford produced this part knowing that it would go bad. It's in the tranny and controls the third gear (1st and OD make up third on 5 speed). I filed a grievance with Ford about issuing faulty products.

Thanks Buddy, i beleive we aregoing tohelp out a lot of Explorer owners with this info. It took me 6 weeks to fix this, and of course Ford say "oh, it could be one of a hundred things, come back when something fails and then we can get a real understanding of what is broken."

I'm getting mine fixed tomorrow. I'll let you know the results. The tranny guy said he has an article about this problem. I could get you a copy. I'm going to write Ford a nice letter first and ask for money back and go from there. I'm thinking that there are probably a million vehicles with this problem. Take care.
Zach

Let me know how it turns out for you, zach...also I'd like to see that article, too. Thanks, Sherri

Hello everyone.. First Post for me on this site.. Sherri.. I know exactly what you're talking about... I have a 2000 Ford Explorer Limited - maroon (sweeeet). Anyways -- I noticed about 10 days ago that my RPM's would rev high once I get to 40 mph (4th gear). I decided to take it easy and not drive thinking it was low on transmission fluid.. After 3 days and on the way to taking it to the repair shop my O/D light starts flashing... I barely made it to the repair shop due to Transmission neutral"ing" out at 40 mph (4th gear) - 4 days later and $2000.00 lighter my mechanic had my transmission rebuilt saying it was a converter clutch problem and this is a regular occurrence on this type of transmission. Now my transmission drives good and switches much smoother.. When idle rpms are under/around 1000. Gears switches at 2000-2200 rpm.. Hopefully this help people... I'm pissed about paying so much -- but as long as it was done right... holla back ppl...

Hey, Dave bizarre!
Glad to hear that your problem is fixed -but sorry for the cost! Ever since I had the valve body gasket for the 2nd gear solenoid fixed and the EPC valve replaced, mine has run fine. Well, actually I had the fuel pump go out and that cost $450.00. Now there is a clunking noise in my gas tank -I took it back to the shop and they said there was no way that they dropped anything in my fuel tank and would not fix it for me. There sure wasn't anything clunking in the tank prior to them fixing the fuel pump! The guy said that maybe the baffle came loose in there.....didn't know how that could happen. Am now looking for a used tank to replace it... Sherri

Stop driving it. Take it to a shop before it does damage. I have a 2000 explorer. It done the same thing just as the warranty ran out. I only had 36,000 miles on it. I costed me $1,200 to rebuild the tranny. It was some kind of defective switch that caused this. I've always favored Fords but they won't stand behind this if the warranty is out. It really Peed me off and If I can get rid of my explorer without hurting myself too bad I will.

Mine is doing it as well.... Luckly, I'm a skeptic.. and researched the issue before taking in to the shop... I'm also lucky I read all post before continue to drive it until I had the means of getting her fixed.. Mine is a 02 model, and had no problems with her until just this morning. This thing just came out of no where...

Hey poloist12,
Sorry to hear you are having the same problem...I kept pouring money in for "new" solutions from the tranny shop. Things always worked for a while, but the problem kept coming back. Have a brother-in-law who works at a Ford dealership who told me that this was a real issue with the Explorers but Ford was not acknowledging the problem. Did not want to have to pay for a rebuild so I traded it in on a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited...love it!!! The light was not flashing when I took it in to trade, and I didn't say a thing....Glad it went back to the place I bought it! Hope you get someone who can help you without paying out a couple grand! Let me know if you get answers...Sherri

Spoke with Fix Or Repair Daily this afternoon.. They advised that this was a known problem on older models, and that since mine was an 02, it shouldn't be having this issue.. I was told that it was going to cost me $80.00 just to have them look at it, and $400 to $800 to fix. Don't want to go outside the dealership, but may have to in order to get it fixed..

I have a 1997 Explorer with the same problem. Last year the transmission finally went out! Transmission and transfer case (4 wheel drive - even though I've never used 4 wheel drive) rebuilt. $2300.00 OD light flashes once in a while. I've taken it back several times (still under warranty) but it has to be flashing so they can check it with the computer. I took it back the other day; they said it's either the solenoid, something in the transfer case or the computer. They replaced the solenoid and now it's just a process of elimination!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Warranty will not cover the computer. If that's the problem, then I will have to live with it.

Spoke with Fix Or Repair Daily this afternoon.. They advised that this was a known problem on older models, and that since mine was an 02, it shouldn't be having this issue.. I was told that it was going to cost me $80.00 just to have them look at it, and $400 to $800 to fix. Don't want to go outside the dealership, but may have to in order to get it fixed..

Poloist12,
Did you get this fixed? If so, What was it? My sister in law has a 02 and the OD Light is coming on and off at times. She says she does not feel it is actually kicking down and the rpm remains the same. Her check engine light comes on as well and the codes are tranny codes but are not clear as to what

My explorer is an '02 out of warranty and I have the same symptoms. - High rpm in 3rd gear- service engine soon light- O/D light blinking after a few miles and switches to higher RPM at 60+ MPHBrought it to the dealership who replaced my whole solenoid last November. They said this time the transmission needs to be taken apart, starting $ of 700 bucks.I declined but did get the computer codes: P0735 incorrect 5th gear ratio and P0775 solenoid B malfunctionDid anyone have the above codes?Any idea how much it would cost me to have the dealer check the valves to see if they need to be replaced? I believe they said 200+ to replace the solenoid again.

I'm having the same problem with my 2004 Explorer, and I also can't fing a mechanic who actually knows wgat the problem really is!

So far I've had the transmission and computer changed and NOTHING!!!

I've spent about $3,000 and the problem is still there.

I see lots of people online having this problem with Explorers and I have yet seen anyone with a solution.

I JUST FEEL LOST :banghead:

Good info here gang!!!

I have a 2000 XLS with 183K on it. I bought it in 02 with 70K on it, nearly all were highway miles. And I would say that nearly 95% of the miles I have put on this have been highway. Just about a month ago, I was out towing a trailer full of quads home from a riding session and when I dropped off my trailer, I noticed that my OD light started to flash. ??????????? So, I turned it off and started back up. Light off, and thought nothing esle about it. Then about 3 weeks ago, I noticed that the tranny would "slip" between 2-3 gears. Mash down on the gas pedal, and it shifts fine, but the shifts are around 5500R's!! I'm not crazy about that!! So, then tonite coming home after work, the OD light started to flash again. Slowed to stop at a stop sign. Started to take off, tranny wasn't in 1st, but it was in 3rd!!! WTF!!!! Drove it home and parked it for the nite.

This is my only vehicle I have to drive. And I'm headed out for a vacation next week. I feel comfortable with driving the truck, and I am thankful that I still have AAA!!!! I do need to get this thing checked out and maybe offload it to someone......... I need to get something else, or raise up some $$$ to get this thing fixed......

I'm not sure if you're asking for suggestions/help. If you are, which transmission does your Explorer have, the 4- or 5-speed automatic? Have you stopped by a tranny shop to have the transmission diagnostic codes read? You can try having codes read at a parts store, but they will only be able to read the powertrain codes. There may be a code or two that could be related to the transmission issue, but the transmission codes will be more specific and correspond to your flashing OD light.

Is the OD light flashing in a pattern, or just a periodic blink? Does your cruise control work when the OD light is blinking? Have you checked the fluid level of the transmission and condition of the fluid (only applies if you have the 4-speed auto)? When's the last time the transmission was serviced (fluid and filter changed)?

-Rod

Once the OD light blinks, it blinks until you turn the vehicle off. Steadily, off and on. And sometimes while driving, and coming up to a stop, it will not downshift into 1st. So, it'll actually stay in 3rd. But if you pull the gear selector down in 2nd or 1st, it will downshift, and then go thru the gears, but slipping the 2-3 shift. Well, I shouldn't say slipping, once the engine rev's up, somewhere around 500R's, it will shift into 3rd. Or I'll let off the accelerator and let it bypass 3rd all together. I think that it is a 5 speed. When normal, I could feel it shift 4 times. Obviously, it does have overdrive! :)

I'm not sure about the cruise, since alot of my trek's are highway speeds(55mph county roads, and some State Routes). Very little highway driving as of this time. I am going to a tranny shop Monday. I'm gonna have it gone thru, and whatever to make it right.

Man, 9 days and $1600 later, I have a tranny that shifts good again!! I was without my truck for 9 days. Not a lack of parts or anything, just "Emeregency Vehciles" needed trans work.......

They found, valve body gasket blown, and metal shavings in the bottom of the pan. That was the deciding factor in me having it rebuilt or not. Plus they gaurantee the trans for 12 mo/12K miles. Not a bad deal...... IMO..

Thanks for the insight and opinions. Points all well taken!!

THANKS!!!!!

Like everyone else here, I'm having the same problem. But I don't have the money to replace it and I'm thinking of getting a transmission from the junkyard and putting it in myself. I know that this won't be a permanent solution as I'm running the chance of the same problem...but I'm getting married in 3 weeks and this will work for now until I can trade it in.

I have a Ford Windstar 2000 with the OD flash problem. I found this:
"I had a similar problem with my 2000 Ranger. I ended up replacing the vehicle speed sensor. It cost less than $20 and it took longer to jack up the truck than it did to swap the part. Hope this helps."
"YOUR speed sensor is on the rear on top,it is magnetic remove it clean it off with a rag and wd 40 put it back in and it should stop the flashing, I have a 99 Mazda B-3000 did the same thing now it dont."
Anyone have experience of this?
I think Ford have this problem on a lot of models, not only Explorer and Windstar.

Hi, i got the same problem asyou all, well most of you. I have a 99 windstar SE (lol i liked how they called it crapstar) and my problem with the trans is a bit different. When I'm driving it on hwy it shifts to last gear probable 5th, when goin uphill it down shitfs to 4th den back to 5th after a while, this happens when going uphill and the o/d light starts flashing after like 4 times of downshitfting between 4th and 5th gear. When o/d light gets on, it stays on 4th gear and wont shift to 5th anymore, unless i shut the car off and then on which makes the light stop from blinking and off. Although when o/d light blinks and i come to a stop, it does downshift to first gear because i can hear it, but when i drive off and it shifts from 1st to 2nd gear it does some kind of impulsion i can't even explain, like if it power shifts something like dat and it does a soft noise but i can still feel the impulsion that it does on shifting.

Hi there, very new to this, I have been reading all the posts and today is the first day that my o/d light started flashing. My trans has been slipping for a while now usually in 2nd & 3rd gear. The streets are slippery today and my car slipped and the next thing I know the o/d light is flashing. Does this sound like the same problem?? Also my ABS light is on I just had my brakes (all of them) done - they're saying it is the rear drive sensor..

Hey guys, I have a 1995 Ford Explorer Xlt 4wd. I have the flashing overdrive light problem too. I had the transmission rebuilt also with the torque converter. about 4 months later i got the flashing overdrive light and the car let me sitting along the highway. I got it towed to my house. I pulled the transmission to find the center of the flywheel has broken out. I then replaced the flywheel and and i got the flashing overdrive light again. Its movable, i drove for about 25 miles but it shifts at about 5500 rms and slams into every gear. What should i start throwing my dollars into now?

Well, add me to the list of Exlporer owners with the flashing O/D light. Just bought the car off the owner last evening and drove it home, about 35 miles. It seemed to drive fine. I bought the vehicle for my son for college so I drove it to work today to test drive a little more, again about 35 miles. Half way through the trip I got the flashing O/D. I'm at work now and I'm going to remove the negative terminal from the battery during lunch to see if this helps. Otherwise, it appears I'm screwed. The way I read all of the comments, the possibilities are:
1) bad speed sensor
2) bad wiring to the speed sensor
3) bad torque converter
4) bad valve body gasket
5) complete rebuild needed
I listed them in what I feel is in the order of expense, lowest to highest.
Wish me luck...

I have an 02 mountaineer and I also had the O/D light flashing, $2200 and a tranny rebuild later I thought it was fixed. My wife doesnt drive very far to work, so the first time we drove a distance after the service, the transmission shifted hard down from second to first. The shop has since replaced a solenoid pack and an "intake device" and it still is doing the same thing. If someone else has had this problem, I could sure use some advice.

Spliceman,
I had the same problem with my 1996 Explorer. After the second rebuild it stayed in the shop for a month. Finally the shop gave me a partial refund because they were at their wits end on how to fix it smooth. They fixed it enough to drive it without any codes popping up, but it still was not like when i first bought it. A month later i sold it. Headache gone!

this is my second explorer with the same problems as everyone else here, what i learned from one of my old mechanics, i had previously owned a 93 explorer that had well over 250,000 miles on it before the transmission went on that one but it had the o/d light going on all the time, with my second explorer a 2001 xls, i started having problems with the o/d light and transmission slippage just over 70,000 miles. what i did was as long as i started and drove the truck like it had a manual transmission, going from 1st to 2nd then finally putting it into drive i could go anywhere, long trips etc, until i put the truck in park i have to do the samething everytime(you dont have to do this everytime you stop though,only when the trucks been in park),ive never had the o/d light go on and i get very little slippage now im somewhere around the 155,000 range, one thing i would also recommend you do is to buy 2 bottles of the lucas transmission fix and go to any place like lube express or something and drain the fluid and put in the 2 bottles of lucas and fill the rest with new transmission fluid. most garages will prob tell you to get a new transmission,its worked for both my explorers i couldnt tell you why the o/d light problem and transmission slipping are related but they seem to be, try this first and see if you get the same results as i did.

I have a 2000 explorer xlt with 110,000 miles on it. I noticed my flashing O/D a week ago but it is sporadic. However, I can feel something different in my transmission, like a sudden but short spike in my rpm. I have been driving with this condition for a week now and I'm still researching on all possible causes and solution before I have the mechanic play around with my transmission and shed lots of money in his repair shop. Btw, all my gears (1,2, D and R) are functioning. Will let you know what happens.

thanks sherri,i'm omar from dubai,i've the same problem and i'm going to solve it according to your case.

Hey everyone, I didn't read all the posts but I did a lot of research on this myself because of the same thing. Fortunately, there IS an easy cheap fix. I have heard every excuse there is about this problem and how people have taken it to different places and all said different things to fix the same problem! So frustrating!!! How could there be so many different fixes for the same problem? TransGo sells a kit, part #SK 44-55E. It's a shift kit that is about 40 bux shipping included. It upgrades the fluid flow and pressures. The stock valve body gaskets also blow out and from what I've seen; they ALL blow out in the same place. You'll need to get a new valve body plate from the dealer, it's an upgraded version with the gaskets bonded to the plate instead of separate. The instructions that come with the shift kit are VERY vague and are very frustrating to follow, but if you have patience and realize that it's really not that hard, you can fix this problem for about $100. I've been a mechanic for over 20 years; I'm very meticulous and honest. This worked for me...so far. 2-3 shift is still a tad different but 90% better, but the rest of the gears shift real nice. Hope this helps, can't believe the number of people that have been screwed!!!

I drive an 2002 Explorer with 168,000 miles; it has the 5R55W automatic transmission in it. Like many of you, my O/D light started flashing, and I was getting a hard shift from 2-3. After much research :banghead:, including from this site, I learned that the problem is NOT solved by replacing the transmission. The problem is solved by replacing the auto trans solenoid pack (drop the pan, replace the solenoid pack, replace the the pan and refill with fluid). I had the repair done for just over $500 - labor & parts. The challenge is finding a transmisson specialist who understands the problem and is willing to do the solenoid replacement INSTEAD of replacing the transmission. My transmission is now shifting silky smooth. :smile:

I drive an 2002 Explorer with 168,000 miles; it has the 5R55W automatic transmission in it. Like many of you, my O/D light started flashing, and I was getting a hard shift from 2-3. After much research :banghead:, including from this site, I learned that the problem is NOT solved by replacing the transmission. The problem is solved by replacing the auto trans solenoid pack (drop the pan, replace the solenoid pack, replace the the pan and refill with fluid). I had the repair done for just over $500 - labor & parts. The challenge is finding a transmisson specialist who understands the problem and is willing to do the solenoid replacement INSTEAD of replacing the transmission. My transmission is now shifting silky smooth. :smile:
I have an 2002 and it is shifting hard 1st to 2nd and the o/d light is comming on, Does anyone know what the solenoid pack costs?

Hello all, found this site and reading all the posts. we have a 2000 explorer v-8 awd. last night my wife was driving home from work and said it felt like it went into nuetral so she stopped, switched tho o/d on and off and was able to proceed, but now the o/d light is flashing and there is no overdrive. the transmission shifts fine just just no o/d. I serviced the trans this summer and drove from denver to texas then back with no problems at all. this might be the speed sensor. did anyone still have overdrive when the light was flashing?

My 1996 Explorer did this but with about 192k miles on it. The manuals state that the OD light will blink when a sensor detects that the transmission and the engine spin at diff speeds, after gear engagement. For me, this meant the Torque converter was going bad. It only did this when I would use the OD. So until I got this fixed, I didn't use OD. But I would say its a bad sensor for a vehicle with 46k on it. Hope you don't need a $2k fix like I did ! But my old '96 XLT has 317k+ miles on it, doesn't burn oil and still runs strong. Good luck !

I see that guys are saying the O/D Light flashing could be from the auto trans solenoid pack.. Would be the best (hoping not ford) to get a new one?

Thanks
Matt
Canton, OH

Same problem
Slip between 2-3
Happened 4-5 times and the O/D OFF light starts flashing
$11.00 fix Add 1 bottle of Lucas oil transmission fix
Less than 24 hours later problem gone.