SOLVED - O/D Off Button not working - No O/D Off light on dash when button is pushed.

[saxtech]

I just noticed today, that when I push my O/D Off Button at the end of the shifter arm (Auto Trans) the O/D Off light on dash, does not come on.
Any suggestions on what's going on here ?

2003 Ranger XLT 3.0 Flex Fuel Auto Trans. 55,000 original miles.
Thanks everyone.

 

[Dirtman]

Turn the key to the run position, not start. Does the OD light come on and go off with all the other dash lights? If not, the bulb in the dash is burnt out. If it does, the button itself is probably bad.

 

[RonD]

+1 ^^^^

The OD button is a 12volt toggle, not an on/off switch that stays in a "position"

Each time the computer boots up OD is set as ON

If you press the OD button it sends a momentary 12v to computer pin 29
If OD was on it will switch to OFF
If OD was off it will switch to ON

So each time you press the OD button it toggles from on or off

When you turn key off and then back on, OD is always set as ON

And just an FYI, its called the TCS(transmission control switch) not the OD button or switch, if you are looking it up

 

[saxtech]

Turn the key to the run position, not start. Does the OD light come on and go off with all the other dash lights? If not, the bulb in the dash is burnt out. If it does, the button itself is probably bad.

Dirtman - I just went out and checked the dash light as you said to. Turned key to Run position to see if all tell-tale lights come on. The O/D Off light did not come on. So you are probably correct that it may be the bulb. But if there is a fuse and it is blown, could that also cause the light not to go on ? Which fuse should I check if I need to ?

 

[RonD]

It uses fuse 11 in cab fuse box, but other bulbs in the cluster do as well, so probably not a fuse issue

The computer Grounds the OD bulb to turn it on, most warning/indicator bulbs have 12v with key on, and are then grounded to activate each
So most likely bulb issue

But I would do a test drive to see if OD does turn off and then back on

 

[saxtech]

It uses fuse 11 in cab fuse box, but other bulbs in the cluster do as well, so probably not a fuse issue

The computer Grounds the OD bulb to turn it on, most warning/indicator bulbs have 12v with key on, and are then grounded to activate each
So most likely bulb issue

But I would do a test drive to see if OD does turn off and then back on

OK Ron, Thanks.
I will test the Trans OD on my way to work in the morning. Do I need to be moving at a certain speed (MPH) in order to turn the light on/off ? Should I be able to see it go on or off while stopped or low speed ? I will also pay special attention to see if any other indicator lights are out too while it is dark in the morning.
ALSO.... I can't seem to find a link to that switch/button. Can you post a link to it please or a part number so I can look it up please ?

 

[Uncle Gump]

I believe Ron is saying to test drive it and ensure that OD cancels... we already know the light doesn't work.

So when the transmission shifts into OD... tap the button... it should feel like it downshifts. Then tap it again... it should shift back into OD.

 

[MikeG]

Yup, get it up to highway speed and see if it makes the transmission downshift.

 

[RonD]

Yes, that is what I meant, see if OD turns OFF and ON, while driving

Part number in this post: https://www.ranger-forums.com/general-technical-electrical-18/over-drive-switch-156467/

 

[saxtech]

Yes, that is what I meant, see if OD turns OFF and ON, while driving

Part number in this post: https://www.ranger-forums.com/general-technical-electrical-18/over-drive-switch-156467/

So this morning I drove the 2003 Ranger to work.

• No O/D OFF Light on dash when key is in "run" position only (O/D Off Tell-Tale Light in-op)
• No O/D Off Light while driving and button pushed.
• When O/D Off button is pushed "while at Highway Speeds, the Trans does NOT react or downshift (OD does not turn on nor off) nor does the O/D Light on dash, light up when button is pushed at highway speeds.

The O/D Off system is apparently not working.

Not sure this matters but recently, I plugged one of those receiver trailer hitch brake lights into the trailer light receptacle at the rear bumper. Could that have anything to do with this ?

By the way Ron, I entered the number for the switch in your link you gave (F58Z-7G550-AA), and Amazon, the auction site, and various other sites say that that part number is not compatible with my 2003 XLT Flex Fuel 3.0 Ranger ?

Whats my next step ? Fuse ?

Gary

 

[saxtech]

Turn the key to the run position, not start. Does the OD light come on and go off with all the other dash lights? If not, the bulb in the dash is burnt out. If it does, the button itself is probably bad.

Dirtman,
The OD Light does not come on with the other dash lights when in the run position. Nor does the transmission downshift at highway speeds when the button is pressed at highway speeds.

 

[fastpakr]

Interesting. You can dig in to access the wiring harness for that switch. I can't remember it well enough to describe the process, but it's not particularly hard to get to. Probably just the lower trim piece below the steering wheel and the two trim pieces that surround the column. Once they're off and you can access the harness, it would be easy enough to create a temporary jumper that you could connect/disconnect while driving (paperclips might work well here) to test everything downstream of the switch.

 

[RonD]

I doubt the TCS button is the issue but try part number F87Z-7G550-AA

You can test it with an ohm meter and also see if 12v is present at the switch with key on

 

[saxtech]

I doubt the TCS button is the issue but try part number F87Z-7G550-AA

You can test it with an ohm meter and also see if 12v is present at the switch with key on

Thanks Ron.
Can you please provide step-by-step instructions on how to do this please ? (sorry, but I've never done this before).
Also, could it be a bad fuse ? If so, what number is the TCS for a 2003 XLT 3.0 Flex Fuel ?

 

[Dirtman]

The dash light bulb should come on whether the system or button works or not. When you first turn the truck to run position all the warning lights come on specifically to test that the bulbs work, and for no other reason and in no way correlate to that systems status or functionality. Just tests bulbs...

So as improbable as it is, I think you have two problems.

Even some inexpensive scanners that run KOER tests will actually test the od button. My cheapo 20 dollar ancel 310 even does this. You turn the engine on, start the test, turn the wheel a few times, tap the brakes a few times, and press the od button a few times. If the od button failed it will tell you at the end of the test. (Of course it's only saying the PCM got no signal for the overdrive, doesn't pinpoint the issue).

So