mom of 3 with 98 windstar trans problem

i am in need of help very badly.i have a 98 windstar and once it gets warm the trans slips outta o/d and will not go back into o/d unless u turn the van off and restart it.but still will only stay in o/d for a few miles.after drivin out of o/d for a few miles the o/d light starts flashing.what could b my problem?new trans?please help.

Iward:
Any answer would only be a guess.You need to have the codes pulled (autozone)and report back with the codes.Autozone does not charge you anything for pulling codes.

Iward:
Any answer would only be a guess.You need to have the codes pulled (autozone)and report back with the codes.Autozone does not charge you anything for pulling codes.
thanks.will get 2 autozone soon and get those codes.hope nothing major.

OD light flashing is an indication of the computer sensing a problem with the transmission and / or associated electronics.

The transmission is electronically controled.....

Which leads me to hoping and praying that your problem is the sensor that is located on top of the transmission.... This is the sensor that "senses" what gear you have selected.....P-R-N-D. It is called several things....."Neutral switch", Transmission Range Sensor (TRS).....all the same thing. It can be bought at Autozone.....and is not real expensive......
It is a fairly high failure item.

Autozone has a website.... www.autozone.com that has a link to free repair information....which will have step by step instructions on how to replace the switch.

If no check engine light

possible causes:
Brake pressure switch under master cylinder---recall item

sensors: Vss if speedo not working
tss turbine speed sensor----disconnect wire--
see if trans stays in 4th gear
neutral safety switch


trans shops have speciol scanner tool


carefull!!!!!!!!!!!!! Trans shop always want to rebuild

You can have a working speedometer and STILL have the VSS be bad.
This is because there are 2 parts to the VSS.
The mechanical part, which is a direct connecton to the speedometer cable.
The Electrical part, which has a sensor that sends a electrical signal to the PCM (computer).
Mine failed in the electrical part, causing strange shifting issues because the PCM did not know how fast the vehicle as moving, so it did not "know" how to shift the transmission.
The speedometer (mechanical) was reading the correct speed.

You can have a working speedometer and STILL have the VSS be bad.


I agree, mine starts to bounce when you get above 55MPH.


This is because there are 2 parts to the VSS.
The mechanical part, which is a direct connecton to the speedometer cable.
The Electrical part, which has a sensor that sends a electrical signal to the PCM (computer).


Wiswind, I believe that would be only for the 98 and older windstars, because 99 and newer have an electronically controlled instrument cluster which would only need the electrical part of the VSS. Right?

Oscar.

I agree, mine starts to bounce on you get above 55MPH.



Wiswind, I believe that would be only for the 98 and older windstars, because 99 and newer have an electronically controlled instrument cluster which would only need the electrical part of the VSS. Right?

Oscar.

I'd agree with that statement. In my '96 model year, an electronic speedometer was optional, and the mechanical speed is essentially independent of the electronic speed. I've found that the mechanical be read differently from the electronic by more than +/-5% and amount of error changes during an extended drive.

FYI, I had a bouncing speedometer which became very severe (+/-15 mph). It was difficult to know how fast your were traveling. Ford priced a replacement speedometer assemby at >$300. I sent mine to a company called Powels Speedometer, who repaired it by replacing the needle bearings for a fraction of the price.

I hope is is something simple for you but when my 99 started that OD flashing the tranny went out and i had to have it replaced.

Good Luck