2000 Ford Explorer O/D light flashing!!!

sherri1716 · #1 03-08-2004, 11:00 AM

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!!

tsmith0794 · #2 03-10-2004, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherri1716

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.

sherri1716 · #3 03-11-2004, 08:21 AM

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!

tsmith0794 · #4 03-11-2004, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherri1716

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

breastmaker · #5 04-16-2004, 07:20 PM

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.

sherri1716 · #6 04-17-2004, 07:05 PM

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

tsmith0794 · #7 04-19-2004, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherri1716

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

sherri1716 · #8 04-19-2004, 08:30 PM

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

sherri1716 · #9 04-23-2004, 09:26 PM

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

cubboy · #10 05-26-2004, 10:56 PM

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.

tsmith0794 · #11 05-27-2004, 11:19 AM

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."

cubboy · #12 05-27-2004, 06:46 PM

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

sherri1716 · #13 05-28-2004, 02:29 PM

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

Davebizarre · #14 08-20-2004, 07:55 PM

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...

sherri1716 · #15 08-23-2004, 08:56 AM

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

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