99 windstar OD light flashing?

[madskillz28]

hey guys my van runs great but the od light is flashing has any one out there come across this? also i don't have any reverse lights i don't know if its related but both bulbs are new. any advice...

[wiswind]

Flashing CEL is an indication that you have a "misfire" happening.
The CEL will stay lit indicating that you have a code....but the flashing only happens when the misfire is happening.
This can be caused by a number of things, dirty fuel injector(s), spark plug wires, coil pack, clogged EGR ports, vaccum leak, etc.

Also read up on the TSB in the sticky post at the top of the forum about the upper intake manifold isolator bolts.

As far at the back up lights......the '99 electrical is significantly different than my '96, so I will leave that for someone with a newer unit (1999 was a major change year).

[bulrid8]

I think he is talking about the OD light flashing. This means that a problem has been detected in the tranny. Mine started doing it once in a while. I ignored it to long. Just lost the tranny last week!

I suggest taking to a tranny shop and see if they can pull the code. It may be something minor, that can be fixed now.

[northern piper]

do a search of TRS (aka neutral safety switch or transmission range sensor). My 2000 was flashing and the sensor was the culprit. Seems that the brake pressure switch which is just above it was periodically dripping (switch now replaced) and the TRS needed to be. Not a tough job but you'll likely ruin the old TRS in getting it off.

Piper

[LeSabre97mint]

[quote=madskillz28]hey guys my van runs great but the od light is flashing has any one out there come across this? also i don't have any reverse lights i don't know if its related but both bulbs are new. any advice...[/quot

madskillz28

Welcome to AFs!

My 95 OD light was flashing and it turned out to be my vehical speed sensor (VSS). If it is the VSS buy it from Ford. I bought after market and it failed way to soon.

The VSS is tough to get to. The exhaust is in the way. I was able to change it through the wheel by removing the motor mount. It's either the mount or drop the exhaust which I know can be a bear to remove when things are rusty.

The backup lights may be related. As mentioned by others, the TRS (transmission range sensor) also controls the reverse lights. On my 95 my backup lights do not come on unless I get in to R from D. The TRS tells the trannie where the shift lever is placed.

I would stop by a trannie shop and have them hook up a scanner. Don't wait too long. Flashing means FIX IT NOW!.


Dan

[wiswind]

Sorry!.....I was wrong......OD is for tranny.
As mentioned, the TRS (Transmission Range Sensor) aka Neutral Safety switch is a high failure item.......and one of the less expensive things to look into.
Also look for any signs of leakage from the Brake Pressure Switch, located on the bottom of the master cylinder.....another known issue.
It is possible for brake fluid to get into the TRS.

There are other possible causes for the OD light to flash....but they cost more money.
You might try having the tranny codes read.....

[madskillz28]

thanks for the advice i wish i had found this forum a long time ago

[tomj76]

My O/D light has flashed for four reasons.

The first time occured when the transmission was loosing fluid. There was a small leak and I topped it off a few times, but I lost the whole transmission when the housing broke.

The second time was after the replacement transmsission was put in. As noted aboved, the VSS was the culprit, but it was due to the fact that the electrical connector had slipped out of the socket. Somtimes this was accompanied by an erratic shift pattern. I removed the exhaust to fix it, and as mentioned it was a difficult process and may have contributed to the later failure of my catalytic converters.

The third time was when I had a severe front seal leak in the replacment transmsission. The transmission fluid was pouring out from beneath the engine fly wheel. I believe the O/D flash was actually due to problems in the torque converter clutch lockup.

The fouth time was after the overhaul of my replacment transmssion, and was directly due to installation of an improper TCC selenoid. There was also a vibration in the front end as the TCC would engage/disengage at a high frequency.