Automatic Transmission Fail safe mode?

[TheCROW163]

Hi guys, I know that this happens when you put a lot of stress on your transmission with lots of wheel spining and rough driving. The gear locks in 3rd and the O/D Off button blinks for 8 seconds.

This happened to me the other day, but the weird thing is that I was driving VERY slowly, here's what hapenned:

The truck was parked for a couple of days, I started it but did not look at the dash, once it was warm I exited the parking and I imediately noticed that the acceleration was slower than usual (Acceleating in 3rd).... I drove for a couple of minutes then stopped, I turned off the engine and restarted it, I then noticed the O/D OFF button blinking on the dash for a little while, once it turned off I turned off the engine and waited for a couple of minutes.... Then I started the engine and everything was normal again. I drove for a while and then stopped and restarted for 3 times and waited but everything was normal again. No O/D light and normal acceleration.

Do you know why this happened? The truck was parked and driven very slowly.

Truck is 98 Pathy Automatic well serviced.

Transmission oil is new.

I read somewhere that if your battery is low and you have a slow crank when starting, your transmission can go into a "fail safe" mode and will not start out in 1st gear.

I think I noticed a VERY LITTLE hesitation in the crank when I first started the ignition but it was barely noticeable.... Also it's worth to mention that I don't drive the truck very often, like twice a week and for short trips...Also the battery hasn't been changed since a couple of years, maybe more....

Any ideas? I hope it was a one time thing cos it hadn't happened again.

[02silverpathy]

May actually not be the tranny, it could easily be the Mass Air Flow Sensor...if this doesn't read right the whole truck is way slower than normal....buy MAF claener and spray away, following directions of course!

 

edit: scratch that, that would not blink the OD light.

Edited April 26, 2008 by 02silverpathy

[k9sar]

if it happens again, follow the procs for self diagnosis and it will tell you why it's in limp mode.

[TheCROW163]

if it happens again, follow the procs for self diagnosis and it will tell you why it's in limp mode.

 

Thanks for the replies guys.

K9sar, it didn't happen again, but what are the self-diagnosis procs? Where can I find them?

Thanks again.

[k9sar]

Thanks for the replies guys.

K9sar, it didn't happen again, but what are the self-diagnosis procs? Where can I find them?

Thanks again.

 

FSM in the AT section. THe FSM's are posted in here sonewhere. If you can't locate them, pm me and I can mail you or host the appropriate section for you to download

[TheCROW163]

Ok thanks K9sar, I think I have the FSMs.

I'll check it.

[k9sar]

it's a fun sequence if it's anything like the 95's. You go through a series of turn key on, set power switch to auto, put it in park, turn OD off, put it in 2, turn OD on, put it in 1, turn OD off, depress gas to the floor and release, read the flashing light on the shift selection switch... etc.

 

like I say... lemme know if you can't find it.

[TheCROW163]

lol! sounds like fun... I hope I never get to do it though!

Thanks again!