2000 ford explorer stuck in overdrive

[rdaleyj]

i paid 1400 dollars for this explorer but man its got issues, this one is the od button is on the end of the column shift lever and its pushed in all the way in and by the looks of the scarring on the shift lever it looks like the previous owner tried to dig it back out. this problem has the transmission shifting funny.

 

[K5blazer83]

Replace the shift lever and look for the overdrive cable binding up between the column and the trans.

 

[Techniker]

I'm not familiar with Ford transmissions (or really any transmissions for that matter), but doesn't that mean the Explorer is stuck out of OD and can't go into it? Isn't the OD selector button electrically controlled?

I'm just speaking from what I know about Toyotas and the OD button turns the OD off when it is depressed preventing you from going into top gear.

-Techniker

 

[rdaleyj]

no sir, on these fords when the button is pushed in, the overdrive off light in the instrument panel goes out, meaning its in od. if mine worked then i would toggle the button and it would pop out again and the od off light would come on again.

 

[rdaleyj]

well i checked fuses 9&10 pertaining to this and their good, meaning no short circuit.\
i just have to figure out how to remove that lever to replace it, i can't afford one of those hi priced tech manuals on 2000 explorer.

 

[rdaleyj]

lol bout the oil leak

 

[rdaleyj]

well how bout this, will it hurt the transmission being in continual overdrive?

 

[garfunkle24]

well how bout this, will it hurt the transmission being in continual overdrive?

Surely it's not permanently in overdrive, it's just enabled to go into overdrive?

 

[rdaleyj]

no sir i just bought it last wek as a result of a rear end accident, insurance only gave me $1575.00 and i had a very short tim to find wheels

 

[rdaleyj]

well its permenantly in overdrive unless i open the steering column and disconnect the overdrive switch. ive been looking on the internet concerning this and most are swearing that its okay to overdrive unless towing or driving alot of hills, it makes me feela lil easier, but tonight the ****** had a slip or a skip that scared the s*** outa me for a second.

 

[rdaleyj]

and yeah the od button is pushed into the trans selector lever and it looks like the previous owner tried to dig ang claw it out.

 

[Techniker]

well its permenantly in overdrive unless i open the steering column and disconnect the overdrive switch. ive been looking on the internet concerning this and most are swearing that its okay to overdrive unless towing or driving alot of hills, it makes me feela lil easier, but tonight the ****** had a slip or a skip that scared the s*** outa me for a second.

Well, while not exactly the solution you are looking for, couldn't you do just that?

Take the wire that runs form the OD switch and splice a SPST (single pole single throw) switch in its place? It may look a little tacky, but it would get the job done, and if it really bothered you could run the wire out the back of the steering column and mount it underneath the steering column.

-Techniker

 

[Dan_inthewind]

Where the switch is stuck in, the end of the shifter has a knurled feel, slide a knife blade in the small crack line, there are two dog legs holding it in. Pry it out and the switch will slide right out. Wires release right off the end of the push switch, can't recall the price for the switch sorry. If the dog legs crack off pick up one of them as well.

 

[HookWorse]

Sooooo.....if I understand this right, the overdrive is enabled (on) because the switch won't shut it off. Which is basically how Ford designed it to work. On and available as needed. So unless you ARE towing something, or hill climbing, just drive it as you usually would.

I'd be betting you may have another issue if its slipping or skipping. Probably either low on fluid, or an internal issue. Start by pulling the dipstick and checking the level and condition of the fluid.

 

[wchamberlain]

As hook said, checking the fluid, you may need to change the fluid and filter, start with that. The O/D button not working doesn't matter it's an electronically controlled ******, meaning the button is there simply for tow hauling or steep climbing, all cars nowadays go into O/D automatically unless it's turned off. Another issue could be the converter is letting go as well.

Not to be a wise ***: The car must be running on flat surface to check the fluid, I don't mean to say your incompetent but stranger things have happened.

 

[rdaleyj]

well since i don't do ane towing,and there is no short in the circuit im just gonna leave it and look deeper at the slipping matter and i appreciate all the responses and ideas thnx.

 

[hot4rd]

I had a couple Explorer's and when the button was pushed in it was locked out of overdrive. I remember this cause I did a lot of towing..

 

[rdaleyj]

guess i'll bring it ti aamco for fluid change,filter and band adjustment.

 

[MrMark]

band adjustment? Don't get ripped man. Just leave the transmission alone. If it goes out just junk it. Drive it until it gives up.

 

[Ford12508]

I had a couple Explorer's and when the button was pushed in it was locked out of overdrive. I remember this cause I did a lot of towing..

I am going to assume the button is a momentary contact switch like it is on my expedition or my F150. Whether overdrive is on or off does not matter and won't cause it to slip. If overdrive is off, that just means that you can not use 4th gear(or whatever is your last gear). When accelerating quickly, I tend to turn OD off just so that I dont go into fourth gear. Also, my button broke on my Expedition because of my dad and was broken for a month. I still drive it, no issues what so ever.

 

[HookWorse]

If the fluid is low, filling it back up may cure your problem. Well, except the problem of where did your fluid go to cause it to be low.

More than likely, if the fluid is full, whatever damage that has been done isn't going to change by changing the fluid or adjusting any bands (which I don't recall these having adjustable ones). Dropping the pan will give you a lot of insight as to what may be going on (lots of material and junk laying in the pan) which means no amount of clean fluid is going to help.

There is also an outside chance you have something else going on (its an electronic dependent transmission) meaning there could be a sensor somewhere, even on the engine, giving faulty readings to the system. A trip to a competent repair shop may not be a bad thing, but for a diagnosis...not just a fluid change. I'd be leary that AAMCO will want to sell you a transmission. They still have boat payments to make in winter!

 

[jay50]

If the fluid is low, filling it back up may cure your problem. Well, except the problem of where did your fluid go to cause it to be low.

More than likely, if the fluid is full, whatever damage that has been done isn't going to change by changing the fluid or adjusting any bands (which I don't recall these having adjustable ones). Dropping the pan will give you a lot of insight as to what may be going on (lots of material and junk laying in the pan) which means no amount of clean fluid is going to help.

There is also an outside chance you have something else going on (its an electronic dependent transmission) meaning there could be a sensor somewhere, even on the engine, giving faulty readings to the system. A trip to a competent repair shop may not be a bad thing, but for a diagnosis...not just a fluid change. I'd be leary that AAMCO will want to sell you a transmission. They still have boat payments to make in winter!

All
Automatics
Must
Come
Out

 

[rdaleyj]

whats that icon beating me on the head once again? LOL the fluid is a lil dark, but its full. i also notice the feel of the shifting and rpm drop from 1st to 2nd 2nd to 3rd, but 3rd to 4th i do see rpm drop all at the propper ranges, but 3rd to 4th cant feel but do notice rpm dro. maybe i should change the trans fluid myself.

 

[rdaleyj]

yeah im understanding that o/d just gives me a 5th gear and its okay to keep it in o/d.

 

[rdaleyj]

and i also googled the aamco complaints which makes me want to work it out myself if i can. i damn sure don't wanna make their boat payments for them. LOL