98 contour 2.0 O/D light is flashing

I have a 1998 ford contour gl with the 2.0 in it and my over drive light is flashing I was diving on i94 going about 65 and I went to hit the gas a little bit and it just revs up so I pulled over and let it sit for about an hour the tried to drive it and it goes in 1st gear just fine but it slips going in to second gear and then when going about 55 it doesn't go in to over drive and the light just flashes on and off please help me

vehicle uses the same component for 2nd and 4th gear and this is the most likely cause either being a solenoid failure or a servo or the band. The solenoid sends pressure to the servo which tightens the band.

could this be it?

just curious, what kind of solenoid are you talking about and where is it located on the transmission? ive got a 98 contour gl 2.0l dohc and my transmission goes from 1st-3rd maybe 4th at times but never o/d anymore. some have suggested replacing the shift position sensor and others said that the trans is dead. is the solenoid something i can replace without taking the whole tranny apart? ohh yeah, i forgot to mention the car bucking between 1st gear and 3rd and at 40-50mph, its like all holy hell! i think, these are the worst ever transmissions ever made.

just curious, what kind of solenoid are you talking about and where is it located on the transmission? ive got a 98 contour gl 2.0l dohc and my transmission goes from 1st-3rd maybe 4th at times but never o/d anymore. some have suggested replacing the shift position sensor and others said that the trans is dead. is the solenoid something i can replace without taking the whole tranny apart? ohh yeah, i forgot to mention the car bucking between 1st gear and 3rd and at 40-50mph, its like all holy hell! i think, these are the worst ever transmissions ever made.

This thread is a year old and the original poster hasn't logged in since 10/22/2007. I don't think you will be getting a response.

crap....i knew that. well maybe you can help me with the symptoms my car is exhibiting then?? im more than willing to believe its a sensor that died/fried before the transmission dying thing. im really new here and was hoping to get some answers from the experts. talk to me man :)

My O/D light started to flash because there was a leak in the transmission line. Check level of tranny fluid. Could be low, leaking or need a flush.

WELL, ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO, I REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND IT DOESNT BUCK ANYMORE THANK GOD!! but i dont understand why the original shifting problem was that it went from 1st to 4th and now it has only 1st to 3rd?! if 3rd gear works now, why didnt it work then? :banghead: UGHH!!!
well anyways, the od light only flashes when i get up onto the highway and normal driving isnt a problem. just wondering if anyone knows what may fix the problem. i was told that replacing the worn trans fluid with new was worse for the trans than what ive got now. and there doesnt seemto be any other codes except for the stupid " factory control ignition failure" error.
i had a 94 ford explorer that had zero trans problems and i beat the shit out of it offroad and all holy hell. what was soo special about that transmission anyways?? thought newer was better? shoulda kept the damn explorer. but really, when i first bought the contour, the only upgrades i did was plugs, wires, oil change, oil filter, standard air filter, fuelsystem cleaner and some others im sure ill remember later and the car felt like it had wayy more than 125hp! the contour was never beaten on and always babied. love this damn car. just wish ford woulda done it justice by putting in a more than reputable/reliable tranny and better struts.
seriously people, i wanna keep this beast and all suggestions would be appreciated more than youll ever know ;) what can i do step by step to try to save the trans instead of rebuilding it?? cant afford it.
if i have to, sell the car and get a puch maxi moped in the spring.
modded the hell out of one till my dad took it away from me.
bastard..."MOPEDS ARENT MADE FOR THE HIGHWAY ASSHOLE". :( HELP.

:confused: theres this round sort of socked type sensor to the right of the shift position sensor.....what the hell is that?? ?shift inhibitor? and why hasnt anyone here mentioned it?? can that sensor possibly cause shifting problems??
my shift problems happend all at once. it looks like it has 2 clip like triggers on both sides and its removeable. can it be cleaned or replaced?? :confused:
im driving my baby to starbucks soon for a coffee....anyone want one:)

I can tell you which components are causing the 1-3 shift and the failulre to go into OD.

1-3 shift

Transmission fluid temperature sensor
Main control valve body
control valves
2-4 band loose

No upshift into OD

One way clutch
Main control valve body


The main control valve body could be the culprit for both of your shifting concerns. I would take it to a transmission shop and ask them if they think that is the problem. Armed with a little knowledge, ask them about the 1-3 shift and OD problem. Chances are they have seen it before. You seem to be very knowledgeable about cars. Ask enough questions to let them know this.

hi there, can you please tell me where the trans temp sensor is?
is it something i can replace myself? or does the trans have to come out?
ive recently just put 500mi on the bad trans and it seems to still be working decently to get from a-b.

i was told that replacing worn fluid with new, was even worse for the transmission than doing nothing to fix it. seals will leak and you could end up with an even bigger problem. i think the problem with my car is a solenoid.
the other day, in the morning, it temporarily shifted through all gears like as if nothing happened, then 3 or 4 mins later, back to its old self :(