1998 Windstar's OD light is flashing

[elgranmaestro]

How can I fix this?

Have any of you had this problem before? What could it possibly be?

Thanks.

[wiswind]

A blinking O/D light is an indication that the electronics of the transmission have detected a fault...and a code has been stored.
The blinking O/D light is like Check Engine Light (CEL) for the transmission.
It is likely that the code that has been stored will require more than a generic code reader to access, which would mean that you need to take it to a shop to have them read.

[Freakzilla69]

Originally Posted by elgranmaestro

How can I fix this?

Take it to a transmission shop. I wouldn't suggest driving it much like that, it could get worse.

Have any of you had this problem before?

It happened to me and I ignored it because I didn't have the money and it got worse and worse until eventually it only used the two low gears and finally poured out fluid all over my driveway. At least it got me home right?

What could it possibly be?

Thanks.

It can be caused by a range of things. Least expensive possibilities are the sensors and solenoids, worst case would be a rebuild.

[BillyBob1954]

Had the same symptom on recent road trip. By the time I got to next exit, had white smoke coming out from under car. tranny fluid was dripping at fairly steady rate (a little bit causes a WHOLE bunch of smoke). Made a "get home" decision and bought about 10 QTS fluid and bottle of tranny stop leak (not a big believer in that stuff, but hey, figured I was going to cook tranny anyway). Added 1 1/2 quarts to top up tranny + about pint of stop leak. Figured Ild just keep adding fluid as needed. Got back on the road - no more flashing light, no more smoke, Hmmmmm. Stopped about 100 miles later, no leaks; fluid level still good. That was about 3 months and 10-12000 miles ago. Still no leaks, no smoke, no flashing light. Dropped the pan and replaced fluid - nothing unusual in pan, fluid looked/smelled OK. Guess I got lucky (but I'm not planning on taking any long road trips with it either!)