O/D light bliking, no trans codes from autozone?

[mustangmanic73]

I have to dreaded O/D light blinking when I try to shift to overdrive. All other shifts are smooth and accurate. I only get the light blinking on the freeway. I shut it off and it resets. I work fairly close to autozone. I went to get the code read and the light didn't blink on the way over there.
When they read the codes there was no trans. codes found? Does the light need to be blinking when I go in or do I need a better reader to tell what codes I have?

[northern piper]

there is a ton of info on this topic. Do a quick search. 1st thing, check your trans fluid level. It should be at the top of the hash marks on the dip stick.

[bulrid8]

The generic code readers that AZ uses will not read tranny codes. You need a scanner to read them. Take it to a good tranny shop and have them pull the codes.

[mustangmanic73]

thanks, Ill take it to the tranny shop.

[wiswind]

If they get some "indetermined" electrical problem....you might look toward the Transmission Range Sensor aka Neutral Safety Switch...... in case you have some intermitten connections taking place in there.

It is a VERY good idea to get the problem looked into......to see if you have a chance to correct a small problem before it becomes big and expensive.

The other thing is to make sure that you have fresh fluid in there.......should be changed AT LEAST every 30K miles using Mercon V rated fluid (now called for in all years of windstar).
Full up the the top of the full range...as checked with the motor warm, vehicle on level ground, motor at idle, transmission in PARK.

[mustangmanic73]

total rebuild needed, $1,900 is what the tranny shop says. Has 104,000 miles on it, so I guess thats not too bad.

[wiswind]

I was hoping for a cheap and easy solution.....but at least you know what the situation is.

[aldovera]

I would go to another tranny shop to make sure it is not just a solenoid problem. Usually, a blinking light it's telling you an electronic malfunction in the transmission. Some shops try to gouge you!!

[Freakzilla69]

I had this problem, I tried changing the shift solenoids and the sensors, even the switch on the shifter.

Ended up having the transmission rebuilt for $1,300.

Since you still have smooth shifting you may get lucky and just have a bad swtch or sensor. Mine stopped going into third gear when the light started blinking.

I bought mine used and it has a tow package on it. I don't know WTF they were thinking. This transmission can barely handle the weight of the van full of kids.

[mustangmanic73]

I got the van back a couple of days ago from the tranny shop. Tuckers transmission, It is doing great so far. On the computer I had codes of P0741 P0734 P0174 P0171. With the torque converter clutch slipping and the 4th gear a incorrect ratio. We chose to overhaul it. When he pulled it we found that it said white windstar on the side of the tranny, so it had been changed before. The receipt says the tranny is a AX4N ,I thought the AX4S was what was supposed to be in a 2000 model windstar? Also when I bought the van I noticed the instruments sticking, so I bought another off ebay. I took that to him also, he said that he had all the computer stuff that ford has and he could program it. I bought the van with only one key, so he got me another, cut it and put the cluster in. He reprogramed the computer, rebuilt the tranny replaced a broken tranny mount and put the cluster in for $2100 total out the door. I thought this was a pretty good deal with a 1 year 12,000 mile warranty. Tuckers transmission in pine bluff arkansas. the isolator bolt fix is next