OD lockout won't work

[holmes1]

I have a 2001 Ranger 4.0 with automatic. The OD lockout on the gear selector doesn't work. I can push the button, but it won't take the trans out of OD.
I can find no fuse blown, and the indicator light on the dash doesn't come on.
(it used to work)

 

[97RangerXLT]

push it in and out several times real quick (with motor off) then try it. might have some dirt on the contacts.

 

[Jspafford]

Check the fuse that operates the reverse lights. They are one in the same. When I wired my trailer connector to the "white" wire at the rear bumper, I found out quick it was not a ground, but a reverse wire. Blew the fuse, I lost reverse lights and my OD lockout.

 

[holmes1]

Once again, I ask! The light doesn't illuminate, the lockout doesn't work. The manual says that if the lockout doesn't work, it may cause damage to the transmission.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

The button on the end of the shifter itself could worn out or the wiring itself could be broken

 

[holmes1]

Thanks for the reply. I don't think it has anything to do with the button, because the warning light doesn't work either, but the overdrive does work.
All of the fuses that I know of are okay.
Someone mentioned that it may be the fuse that controls the backup lights. They work okay too. The manual says that it could be serious if the "lockout" doesn't work, but this condition has existed for several thousand miles and over a year with no ill effects!

 

[dasfinc]

Thanks for the reply. I don't think it has anything to do with the button, because the warning light doesn't work either, but the overdrive does work.
All of the fuses that I know of are okay.
Someone mentioned that it may be the fuse that controls the backup lights. They work okay too. The manual says that it could be serious if the "lockout" doesn't work, but this condition has existed for several thousand miles and over a year with no ill effects!

It sounds like you have a bad or dirty OD lock-out button, as an earlier poster had mentioned. It will not cause any damage to the transmission because you CAN'T hold your truck out of over-drive unless you are towing.

 

[adsm08]

I don't think it has anything to do with the button, because the warning light doesn't work either, but the overdrive does work.

Let me translate this

I don't think it has anything to do with the switch because the light that it turns on and the gear that it turns off don't turn on and off when I push it.

Yup, sounds reasonable to me.