If there is a serious transmission issue, the OD light will flash. Similar to the MIL flashing. Stopping and restarting the truck may resolve the issue, but it may still exist. A lot of things could be causing the problem, such as overheating or slipping.
Like the “check engine” light, it indicates something is amiss. The cause of the problem can be determined by reading the codes. My recommendation would be to have it scanned by a mechanic. Ideally, a code would have been stored.
You might need something as simple as a speed sensor, or you might need something more complex. Leaving it unattended is not an option. There might be a problem with the transmission causing this overdrive light to appear on your Ford Ranger.
OD Light Flashing Ford Ranger Meaning
Overdrive is a feature in cars that monitors speed. So, it’s common to wonder what’s causing your Ford Ranger’s overdrive light to flash and what you can do to fix it.
Ford Ranger overdrive lights can flash due to a dirty speed sensor, corroded wiring harness, faulty catalytic converter, or a bad valve body.
Your Ford Ranger’s problem will determine how easy or difficult it is to resolve. Here’s how you can resolve a flashing Ford Ranger overdrive light.
Is It Safe to Drive With the Overdrive Light On?
Whether the overdrive light on your dash lights up and stays on, or if it flashes or blinks, the overdrive light on your dash can mean two very different things.
Then where do you draw the line between being able to drive safely and not? The following are some things to keep in mind when driving in overdrive:
- Pushing a button will not fix an overdrive light that is flashing or blinking. Possibly the solenoid, or perhaps the range sensor, is malfunctioning in your car’s transmission.
- The gear shift button should allow you to change the setting so that the overdrive light will turn off and your top gear will be used.
- You save fuel and reduce vehicle wear and tear by driving at highway speeds in overdrive. In hilly areas, it’s fine to have the overdrive off, but on the highway, it’s best to have it on because you’ll get better gas mileage.
- It’s no big deal if the overdrive light comes on and stays on. In your car, it simply means that the overdrive has been turned off.
- By shifting to a higher gear ratio than the drive gear, overdrive allows your car to maintain a constant speed while driving while reducing engine speed.
Why Is My Ford Ranger Overdrive Light Flashing?
During overdrive, the Ranger’s engine and other components are monitored for performance. Some components can go bad and may cause the overdrive light to flash. The following are the most common causes of this problem:
Valve Body Failure
A transmission valve body functions as a brain that regulates all shifts. Valve bodies will eventually degrade, the channels will enlarge and be abraded, and the whole valve body will deform.
For example, the overdrive light on a Ford Ranger may flash even when the transmission fluid is adequate due to a bad valve body.
Catalytic Converter Failure
Pollutants are reduced in the atmosphere when vehicles are equipped with catalytic converters. It will be difficult for your engine to control the buildup of pressure when your catalytic converter fails.
When the catalytic converter fails in a Ford Ranger, the overdrive light may flash. The catalytic converter is essentially “clogged” by a buildup of particles, so your engine won’t be able to “breathe.”
The Wiring Harness Is Corroded
Excessive resistance in the wiring harness could also be a contributing factor. If this happens, the vehicle may stall while in motion, or the overdrive light may flash.
Several wires send signals between the engine and the various parts of the Ford Ranger’s wiring harness. Corrosion can cause issues with your car’s electrical system due to corroded wiring harnesses.
The Speed Sensor Is Dirty
Ford Ranger’s overdrive light can flash due to a dirty speed sensor. For your car to perform well, the speed sensor provides information to the engine and transmission control systems.
In other words, a dirty or broken speed sensor will reduce the performance of the overdrive. As a result, you will have trouble operating your vehicle safely if your speed sensor is dirty. In addition, this may result in the overdrive light flashing.
Transmission Overheating
Suddenly flashing overdrive lights may be caused by the transmission in a Ford Ranger. But, most likely, it is due to overheating in the transmission.
The transmission overheats when the engine’s coolant cannot maintain a safe temperature. In the absence of proper cooling, the transmission becomes corroded. In addition, it could cause the overdrive light to flash if it is not fixed.
How Should I Handle a Flashing Ford Ranger Overdrive Light?
Having your overdrive light on can be unsettling. To solve this problem, you can take several steps. Some of them are as follows:
A Faulty Catalytic Converter Needs To Be Replaced
If your car’s overdrive light is flashing because of a faulty catalytic converter, you may need to replace or repair it. The cost of repairing a catalytic converter typically ranges from $945 to $2475 for most cars. The cost of one catalytic converter can reach $2250.
Replace Corroded Wiring Harnesses
Corrosion should be checked on the wiring harness. In the case of corroded copper, remove the corrosion until clean copper is visible. For a better result and to stop the flashing overdrive light, you may need to replace the corroded wire harness completely.
Make Sure The Speed Sensor Is Clean
Frequent hard braking might cause the overdrive light to flash when dust and debris accumulate in the speed sensor.
To prevent the overdrive light from flashing and to avoid damaging the anti-lock braking system, you should thoroughly clean the speed sensors.
It’s Time To Replace The Overheated Transmission
An overheated transmission increases the risk of transmission damage. To resolve the problem, you may need to replace the overheated transmission.
Your vehicle should be towed to a repair shop as soon as possible so the engine and transmission can cool down.
Valve Body Replacement
As the transmission’s primary control hub, the valve body is part of every automatic transmission.
In addition to noise during gear shifts, slippage, delays, and flashing overdrive lights, a malfunctioning valve body can also cause difficulty reversing. A bad valve body should be replaced as soon as possible.
Can I Reset The Flashing OD Light On My Ford Ranger?
There are two ways to reset the OD light flashing. The less expensive method involves removing and reinstalling your positive battery cable; the more expensive method involves using a deep scanner.
If your transmission’s overdrive light blinks, take it to a trained mechanic for inspection. A “trouble code” will be recorded by your car’s computer when your overdrive light flashes, which will help you identify the problem.
Is Overdrive More Fuel-Consuming?
Using overdrive does not increase fuel consumption. The engine speed of your car decreases when the overdrive gearing is engaged. This reduces engine wear and saves fuel.
You can save money by using overdrive and reduce your gasoline consumption. Compared to other cars, yours runs smoother and quieter. It will, however, use more fuel and not make for a pleasant driving experience when the overdrive is turned off.
Do Ford Ranger’s With Overdrive Or Without Overdrive Run Faster?
Most automatic vehicles engage overdrive automatically. It should be left on for the majority of driving situations. It is common for Ford Ranger’s overdrive to raise shift points to higher RPMs.
By doing so, you can engage all the gears on your car, even the highest one. As a result, the overdrive system optimizes fuel efficiency while maintaining NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness).
In contrast, it is best to turn off overdrive if you need to accelerate quickly. However, you’ll use less fuel and ride more comfortably if you leave it on.
What Happens If You Drive With Overdrive Off?
Overdrive off does not harm the transmission and will not negatively impact it. Although fuel consumption may be high, noise may increase at high speeds.
Turning it off is unnecessary unless you are ascending or descending a steep slope. Overdrive can be activated or deactivated at any speed or time.
Is It Better To Have The Overdrive On Or Off?
When driving regularly, you should always have the overdrive engaged. Your car will always shift into high gear, if necessary, no matter what you decide.
However, certain circumstances could benefit the vehicle’s performance if the overdrive gear is engaged. For example, utilizing overdrive when traveling at highway speeds conserves fuel and reduces wear on your vehicle.
You should have overdrive turned on when traveling on a highway for better gas mileage. However, the best and most advisable thing to do in mountainous terrain is to turn it off.
How Do I Turn Off My Ford Ranger OD Light?
The overdrive selector located on the gear shift can be used to turn off the overdrive light on your Ford Ranger.
A gearshift switch controls the on/off of the overdrive on Ford Ranger automatic vehicles. Nevertheless, you may not see “overdrive,” which portrays a car climbing a hill.
It can be turned off and deactivated by pressing the overdrive-off switch. The highest gear the automobile can shift into depends on the transmission mode, which can be D4 or D3. In either case, you will not go into overdrive.
The Bottom Line
A qualified mechanic should inspect your transmission if the overdrive light is flashing. A “trouble code” stored by your car’s computer will indicate what type of malfunction is causing the overdrive light to flash.
Upon diagnosing the issue, we will be able to repair the transmission in your vehicle. If the overdrive light is on, can you still drive safely? The answer is yes if it is on and not blinking.
You should never ignore transmission problems, so make sure you check your overdrive light and perform any necessary repairs if it is blinking or flashing.