Overdrive off light flashing in Park
Mom2boyzz
02-11-2009, 11:02 AM
Hi all,
Last night, I started my 99 Windstar... and the overdrive off light started flashing... after driving less than a block, it went off.
Today, same thing. After driving about 10 minutes, I put it into park, and it started flashing again.. then stopped after a minute or so.
The gear shift has been difficult to move for a while now... it's quite stiff, and sometimes you really have to pull on it to get out of park.
can anyone tell me whats going on?
This isn't my tranny going is it?
Thanks
Lyndsay
Last night, I started my 99 Windstar... and the overdrive off light started flashing... after driving less than a block, it went off.
Today, same thing. After driving about 10 minutes, I put it into park, and it started flashing again.. then stopped after a minute or so.
The gear shift has been difficult to move for a while now... it's quite stiff, and sometimes you really have to pull on it to get out of park.
can anyone tell me whats going on?
This isn't my tranny going is it?
Thanks
Lyndsay
northern piper
02-11-2009, 02:21 PM
Hi Lyndsay
This topic has been discussed a fair amount, with lots of causes and answers. First thing, make sure your trans fluid is completely topped up. The hash marks on the dip stick should be completely covered in fluid (ie: really full). Has the transmission been serviced recently? If not, maybe now is the time. The flashing OD does signal trouble of some sort. Other causes could be a worn transmission range sensor (TRS aka neutral safety switch). If you've had a leaky brake pressure switch this can drip on the TRS and lead to a faulty TRS. The worst case scenario, which hopefully it isn't, is a transmission "on its way out". Don't ignore the flashing light. Get it checked out.
1 final thing, when my 2000 windstar had the flashing OD it was the TRS and it only did flash in Park, FWIW
Piper
This topic has been discussed a fair amount, with lots of causes and answers. First thing, make sure your trans fluid is completely topped up. The hash marks on the dip stick should be completely covered in fluid (ie: really full). Has the transmission been serviced recently? If not, maybe now is the time. The flashing OD does signal trouble of some sort. Other causes could be a worn transmission range sensor (TRS aka neutral safety switch). If you've had a leaky brake pressure switch this can drip on the TRS and lead to a faulty TRS. The worst case scenario, which hopefully it isn't, is a transmission "on its way out". Don't ignore the flashing light. Get it checked out.
1 final thing, when my 2000 windstar had the flashing OD it was the TRS and it only did flash in Park, FWIW
Piper
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2025