Overdrive light

[Cobrajet]

I have a 99 psd and it has 60,000 miles on it. The overdrive function
has not worked for a year. When I first bought the truck it only
worked when the transmission was in park. Now it does not work at
all, and the light never comes on is this a problem ???

[mschn99]

Originally Posted by Cobrajet

I have a 99 psd and it has 60,000 miles on it. The overdrive function
has not worked for a year. When I first bought the truck it only
worked when the transmission was in park. Now it does not work at
all, and the light never comes on is this a problem ???

this could be a big problem. if the OD button is inop you may have a problem with your torque converter or solenoid.....it could also be as simple as an electrical short. the FIRST thing you should do is pull the cowel off of the steering colum. there will be a couple wires that come off the shift lever. they are known for rubbing, causing the exact concern you are discribing. inspect them for rubbing and also if you dont find rubbing, move them around while trying to get the OD button to work. if thats the problem you can replace that shift lever (comes with wires attatched) and fix your problem. you also want to check all your fuses cause this usually blows the fuse and that is probably why it is inop all the time now.....Marc

[Cobrajet]

I think it the problem is in the wires, it use to work when
the truck was in park but now not at all. The torque converter
was replaced a year a go under warrenty and I am not sure if
was working before that because I don't tow with the truck
so I never have needed to use the switch.Thanks for the help

[ipz2222]

Cobrajet, the od light has nothing to do with the converter, it's for turning od off and on. It does need to be fixed because that light is teh emergency warning light for a trans malfuction. If it's not working, you could have a minor trans problem that turned into a big one. The shifter with wire is around $65 at Ford. You can change it yourself. About an hour.
I assume from your handle you own a cobrajet. Had a 69 428 once myself.
Preston

[SLIM]

i have a 99 f250 also and the tow mode worked till about 75000 now the light dont come on so its n overdrive all the time should i be concered shifts fine and 125000 miles thankz slim

[ipz2222]

YES, you should be concernd. Would you drive a vehicle without a working temp guage or idiot light. One overheat and you've wasted an engine. The od light on the end of the shifter also serves as a warning light for your transmission. When the computer sees something wrong, it starts flashing the light, gives you a warning. If you never see this light flashing and continue to drive, you could cause serious damage to your trans. Granted there are some thing that will turn the light to flashing that will not cause serious damage but I want to know as soon as possible.
Your problem could be a burnt out light in the end of the shifter but most likely a wire rubbed into at the steering column. Most any trans shop shoul be able to fis it for you for around $125 to $ 175 depending on labor rates. Preston

[truckbiz]

I think I know where to look now, so thank's, maybe my problem will help someone elses diagnosis.
O/D lite and lock out will not work on my truck in drive, works ok in any other position, and will stay locked out if I push the button in another gear then shift to drive but I have to shift back to a lower gear to turn it off.
I did not know the O/D lite is also an idiot lite, so this idiot will be checking the wires soon,
thankyou for the info

[ipz2222]

Since the wires are in the drive position most of the time, that's where they have rubbed the insulation off and grounded out. When you move the shifter, you are pulling the wires away from the grounding area and the light then works. Get r fixed. Preston

[truckbiz]

thanks ipz2222
turned out nothing rubbed through but one of those tiny wires was broken inside the insulation.
thank you again for the help