Why does my O/D light blink when I drive?

Asked by Felicia Jan 04, 2013 at 11:26 AM about the 2003 Ford Explorer

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

45 Answers

175,815

It indicates a problem with the transmission. It's similar to the "check engine" light. Get the codes read to determine the cause. It could be something simple like a speed sensor or something more important. The one thing you don't want to do is ignore it. The light could be indicating a problem that could destroy the transmission.

114 people found this helpful.
73,250

My 2003 explorer v6 had the same problem about two years ago. It was intermintent. Called my tranny guy I have known since high school and he told me when he happens again, do not shut off the engine and bring it directly to him. He plugged in the reader under the dash. Walked into the shop, cam back with an electronic piece which attaches to the tranny and I was off again in ten minutes. The bill was fifty bucks. He told me the name of the device, but I forgot. He did state it is electronic and is attached to the tranny.

151 people found this helpful.
570

where does ur friend live i have the same problem with the od light flashing i already rebuilt the tranny same problem

57 people found this helpful.
1,230

Is it ok to drive with the o/d on on a ford explorer

123 people found this helpful.
73,250

Not recommended. It indicates a problem with the transmission. Why risk doing further damage.

25 people found this helpful.
490

i have a 1999 ford f250 with the 5.4 gas andi just put a nother tranny in it and my o/d light is on and it will not pull in drive but i can put it in 1st and it pulls just fien but in drive i have to give it a lot of gas then it starts to pul its the 4r100

49 people found this helpful.
1,340

you need to change the solenoid pack of you transmission i have the same problem on my car ford explorer 2005 and i will fix it this week

56 people found this helpful.
2,600

I also have a 2003 ford explorer with the od off light flashing. Physically the car runs awesome. No slipping or hard shifting. What can the issue be?

260 people found this helpful.
73,250

Read my post above Caylen. Another symptom was when I parked the vehicle and turned off the engine off overnight, it would take a while for it to come back on.

50 people found this helpful.
860

I have a 02 Ford Explorer an it does the same think what can it be need help

66 people found this helpful.
1,340

speed sensors ( 3 sensors ) on Transmission also need to change to fix this issu, anyone can call me to send photo of these sensor to you by whatsap 00966565865449

78 people found this helpful.
290

Just brought 2001 Mazda Tribute . The O/D off light flashed. Notice the wire is cut at base of the gear shifter. Would this be why the O/D off light flashes?

29 people found this helpful.
1,760

Hello I have a 02 Ford Explorer my 0/d off light flashing what I can do please help

176 people found this helpful.
250

Now I'm having the same issue...smh Does anyone know of someone (or a shop) trust worthy in the 513 area

25 people found this helpful.
1,160

I have a Ford explorer 03 overdrive light flashes when I'm driving what could it be

116 people found this helpful.
73,250

WRX: On my 03, when I had the same issue, it was a solenoid. My tranny guy fixed it in about half an hour. May have more info on the net, check there.

34 people found this helpful.
920

I have a 2003 Ford Explorer my battery went dead change the battery and now my o/d light is flashing it wasn't doing that before the battery went dead any ideas on what the problem is. Thanks

92 people found this helpful.
460

Is their a way to prevent it or shut the light off so it will not come back on like a fuse or switch?

46 people found this helpful.
320

I have a same problem O/D off light blinking. Any idea what the hack going on with my car

32 people found this helpful.
110

blinking lite on trans...check for low fluid..my lite would not come on. added fluid and works great now..

11 people found this helpful.
150

Besides the overdrive light blinking on and off does the vehicle have any hard shifts?I️ had the same problem and changed the valve body gaskets and Now my explorer shifts perfect and no more blinking overdrive light

15 people found this helpful.
200

Mine is doing this and shifting hard and when I put it in park sometimes it won’t change gears??

20 people found this helpful.
380

My O/D was flashing after I put a fuse in an empty slot in my fuse box. However it has never effected my driving at all. I take it to 60 easily with no issues.

8 people found this helpful.
180

I have two speed sensors and the O/D light still flashes what else to check

12 people found this helpful.
180

That's supposed to say I changed two speed sensors

6 people found this helpful.
450

After replacing the three sensors on outside of transmission did not help. It is the pcm or something inside the transmisson

10 people found this helpful.
310

I had the same problem with Daihatsu sirion, after scanning they saw problem in wiring then they fixed it and test drive if it will still flash (the O/D) but it is the same problem so again they have check inside the transmission and sensors are all working, after they saw the throttle body this is what they have replaced the problem was from the air filter its blocked we had to replace a new air filter and throttle body. after that we drove home and the flashing light didn't appear. Gonna observe for 1 week tho.

15 people found this helpful.
200

Have hard shift and loss of power on hills when O/D light flashes. When light just goes on on dash, I hit the middle button on the right lever (don't know what it is called). Other than this issue, the 2000 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer edition 4-wheel drive is a dream to drive. So pleasant for long trips, performance on 4-lanes is off the charts -- so we want to fix this and keep it.

20 people found this helpful.
100

I tried Daph suggestion...changing the air filter. Two days now, no flashing.

10 people found this helpful.
310

Update: the flashing O/D light is gone

16 people found this helpful.
120

I also have a 2003 explore with a blinking light OD. It drives fine just the last shift hits a lil hard . I've been driving it like that for years .... I no to rebuild the trans is around $700 .... But I read your guys comits .....so there might be a speed sensor? That I don't have to rebuild the transmission. That will be great if so ....any place u guys no we're I can take it in 626 area CA covina

12 people found this helpful.
70

O/D light refers to improper gear ratio, take pan off check for broken band and adjusting anchor in pan.

7 people found this helpful.
40

The overdrive light on my girlfriend's 2004 Escape started blinking yesterday. I told her leave it parked, & next time she drives it to take it to a great transmission shop up the street from me. It's nice to read other people's comments, but if there's a transmission issue or possible issue, get it fixed ASAP. If you only have one car, better to leave it parked until when taking it to reputable mechanic and rent a car if need be; better than possibly ruining your transmission.

1 people found this helpful.
40

Above with the green Duster, that's not GuruHQ8FM; I scrwed up registering on this site & will try again.

2 people found this helpful.
40

I apologize GuruHQ8FM, Guess if I wrote anything on this site ever again, it'd come up under your screen name. I'll avoid posting anything here again. The Duster and Malibu are a couple of my cars.

1 people found this helpful.
210

Everybody thinks that it’s all electronic but in fact it could be electronic but also has anyone ever thought of what else is inside a transmission isn’t there something that lubes the gears inside the transmission I think it’s called transmission fluid on my 2002 Ford Explorer I had a transmission oil cooler line blow it was leaking for a minute before I was able to fix it well long story short my old light is flashing at me ummmmm I know that it maybe low on fluid and I also know that I don’t have a dipstick inside this tranny and also I know you have to have it running in neutral while you fill it so maybe just maybe half of all the problems you all have could be low fluid oh yeah before I forget the transmission fluid also creates pressure inside the transmission so therefore low fluid low pressure correct fluid correct pressure ever wonder why transmission lines say contents under pressure well let’s see an average transmission runs around 95-100psi under tension it can increase up to 150psi Transmission hoses are rated up to 400psi so before spending $50-$1000 for repairs and replacement of a transmission check the fluid level and fill it properly with the correct fluid oh and if you’re wondering why I’m writing this and how I know all of this well let’s just say I own my own auto repair shop so I know a few things but I was just curious to know if you all were thinking the same not one of you mentioned anything about checking transmission fluid

21 people found this helpful.
30

this happened in my 2000 Ford excursion. It was corroded battery terminals.

3 people found this helpful.
30

Took my mustang gt to the ford dealer not low tranny fluid or bad tranny, all it was O/D off light was the transmission speed sensor 1 8mm bolt and a new part $35. Solved

3 people found this helpful.
30

My light has been blinking very intermittently for at least a year. I have been putting Lucas brand non-slip transmission fluidd for months. So farso good.

3 people found this helpful.
10

Code P0715. That's the "Turbine/ Input shaft speed sensor A circuit " If you change that. Your tranny should be fine. Sensors control the OBD II. It's almost like years ago when vacuum hoses kinda did.

1 people found this helpful.
30

Tell me how I could fix my 2003 Ford Explorer when the overdrive light comes on

3 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Explorer

Looking for a Used Explorer in your area?

CarGurus has 2,231 nationwide Explorer listings starting at $7,990.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    OJ
    Reputation
    30,840
  • #2
    TransAm77
    Reputation
    7,790
  • #3
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    7,280
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Ford Expedition
18 Great Deals out of 682 listings starting at $5,650
Used Ford F-150
363 Great Deals out of 12,802 listings starting at $599
Used Chevrolet Tahoe
18 Great Deals out of 859 listings starting at $9,980
Used Jeep Grand Cherokee
121 Great Deals out of 3,487 listings starting at $4,950
Used Toyota Highlander
37 Great Deals out of 814 listings starting at $8,495
Used Dodge Durango
65 Great Deals out of 1,994 listings starting at $7,999
Used Honda Pilot
33 Great Deals out of 792 listings starting at $2,495
Used Toyota 4Runner
20 Great Deals out of 517 listings starting at $6,825
Used GMC Yukon
17 Great Deals out of 941 listings starting at $5,998
Used Ford Escape
140 Great Deals out of 3,929 listings starting at $3,995
Used Nissan Pathfinder
40 Great Deals out of 1,713 listings starting at $190

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.