98 SHO O/D Off light blinking!

[SableSal]

Hey there, recently bought a 98 SHO, on the way home from picking it up the check engine light was on (was told it was due to a torque converter issue code). Well, the O/D light started flashing on me. I shortly after pulled over and turned off the car. The car started shifting a tad harsher than before. Well... I turn it off, I smell trans fluid burning. I let it cool. SES light is still on, although the OD off light isn't blinking anymore.

What do you guys think it is? Also, what cost should I expect? Thanks,



Sal

 

[SHOZ123]

The fluid is toast at the least. Probably a bad TC and seal now too. At this point I would suggest a rebuild as who knows what else is wrong in the tranny.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

I agree with Paul.

A flashing OD light is indicative of the fluid temp being way too high, and from the sounds of it the fluid is so hot that it's foaming and evacuating out the vent on the top of the tranny.

You could try a flush and fill with new fluid and see if that helps, but usually at this point there is a good probability that something in the tranny is fried.

 

[96blackSHO]

welcome to my life

 

[SeanMc]

You bought Eric's SHO?

 

[Izzmo]

Don't take this to heart and really trust Mr. Anonymous and Paul, but I will tell you this:

My O/D started flashing on my tranny a couple months back and it starting ******* up: like first gear slipping into neutral all the time (not good when you get stuck in the middle of an intersectin ). I changed my tranny fluid and it got a little better for a little while, but after a while it will come back even worse.

I swapped out my tranny for a rebuilt and it works good now. But this has happened 3 times now for me. So, I would just start looking for a good rebuilt tranny cause it's going to go downhill fast for yours.

 

[96blackSHO]

Don't take this to heart and really trust Mr. Anonymous and Paul, but I will tell you this:

My O/D started flashing on my tranny a couple months back and it starting ******* up: like first gear slipping into neutral all the time (not good when you get stuck in the middle of an intersectin ). I changed my tranny fluid and it got a little better for a little while, but after a while it will come back even worse.

I swapped out my tranny for a rebuilt and it works good now. But this has happened 3 times now for me. So, I would just start looking for a good rebuilt tranny cause it's going to go downhill fast for yours.

ya thats happened to me alot like last sat. it like falls out of gear and slipping and all of that good stuff iv had mine rebuilt like 7 times and im done with the automatic

 

[Izzmo]

Yep. I can actually feel something weird going on now with my newly rebuilt tranny...

the AX4N is just garbage.. ugh.

 

[icemaneric]

You bought Eric's SHO?

My 98 SHO is sitting in the drive way

 

[stephen newberg]

the AX4N is just garbage.. ugh.

185,000+ on original transmission with zero problems.

Yup, garbage...

pax, smn

 

[Izzmo]

Well, we'll see how long mine plays out. I treat it nice and keep it usually under 3k on the tach unless on the highway.

 

[Ian Macoomb]

185,000+ on original transmission with zero problems.

Yup, garbage...

pax, smn

That's what you always say. If the problem doesn't happen your car it doesn't happen to any.

I got something like 210,000km out of my first tranny and less than 2000 out of the second one. Thank goodness for warranties and good friends with trucks and spare cars.

 

[SHOMEX]

Sorry to hear whats happening on your new car and hope you can get it fixed.
on the other hand I have 192,000 miles on my original tranny and still counting (but have my fingers crossed all the time for the tranny not to fail)

 

[bacernate]

How the **** can you keep your's under 3 grand when it shifts? Mine always shifts over that even when I'm ***** footing it. Maybe mine is just a total loss. I've never driven another gen 3 so I have nothing to compare it to.

 

[bacernate]

Jlros I've been meaning to get ahold of you to swap rides and see how a stock trans works, compared to my xcal.

 

[stephen newberg]

That's what you always say. If the problem doesn't happen your car it doesn't happen to any.

I got something like 210,000km out of my first tranny and less than 2000 out of the second one. Thank goodness for warranties and good friends with trucks and spare cars.

You misunderstand. I am sure that it does happen to others. But 'garbage' is a covers all term, what you are accusing me of. Instead, I am saying that no, it is not garbage because there are obviously exceptions, such as your first one, my current one, and lots of others I have heard of.

It seems to me that people regularly forget that these cars are all getting along now, and that transmission -always- wear out at one point or another. They are moving friction type parts. It is to be expected that they will wear out. To think otherwise is to fool yourself.

That does not mean that the AX4N is not a weak point in the Gen III, it obviously is. However, I do think that this particular weakness is over rated for it's level.

pax, smn

 

[Izzmo]

How the **** can you keep your's under 3 grand when it shifts? Mine always shifts over that even when I'm cat footing it. Maybe mine is just a total loss. I've never driven another gen 3 so I have nothing to compare it to.

Hmm, I dunno. I guess it just does? It's tuned by Paul, but even stock I can still get it to shift under 3 grand when just prowling around.

I don't think it's hard to do in any cars really... 3 grand is up there.

 

[NebraskaSHO]

I occasionally get a flashing O/D light and my temps never go over 150. It is usually after the car is shifting into 1st when rolling to a stop and the car will 1 out of 10 times just shut off. As if the idle speed dropped too much in the mess of shifting.

Paul?

 

[SHOZ123]

Mine use to die once in a while while coming to a stop. Crack the throttle plate open a 1/4 turn.

 

[peglegtom]

What is Causing the Light?

Check the codes and the trans problems. I also had a blinking OD light on my 97 GEN III SHO last fall. The problem was that the car would not shift into OD. I was told I needed a rebuilt trans. After I purchased another Gen III and Checking on this BB, it could be as simple as a $0.25 C-clip. Although I haven't checked my problem to see if its something this simple, it's worth a shot.

Search under the Gen I forums for transmission problems or "C-clip" to get additional info.