We were driving down the freeway when the ODT light started flashing on our 2000 Ford Windstar. WE pulled over, and it was gushing transmission fluid. Well, we got more fluid, and added it, and the ODT light went off, and we drove it home, and it didn't leak. Can this van be trusted to drive again?

The Overdrive light flashing is an electronic issue rather than a mechanical one, unless a solenoid has failed. Thar can be checked by an auto electrician armed with a $5,000 bi-directional scan tool computer. They can instruct all the solenoids to work and verify that they did. There may also be readable DTC codes.

When you emptied the transmission, did you measure the fluid that came out of it and replace it with exactly the same amount?

It looks like whatever the electrical issue is, it is stopping you from driving.

https://www.google.com/search?q=2003+Ford+Windstar+over+drive+light+flashing

https://www.google.com/search?q=auto+electrician+near+me

..

Windstar's are known to have Defective Transmissions. If you pull the code,(if memory serves me right).. P0708.

P0741 Ford - Torque Converter Clutch Mechanical System

The Engine Control Module (ECM) detected excessive transmission slippage or no TCC solenoid operation. Check the transmission converter clutch selonoid. can be low on transmission fluid, clogged filter.

Transmission gear assembly and transmission needs inspection. Also check the transmission fluid level. Also is the fluid getting leaked or its low.

There are few very helpful links with solutions to troubleshoot this problem.

========

I suggest you to refer these links.

Click the link below:-----

2000 Toyota Camry: Transmission slipping and Stuck up?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2000-toyota-camry-transmission-slipping.html

-----------

Transmission Slips out of 2nd gear?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-slips-out-of-2nd-gear.html

----------

Car engine Overheats and transmission starts slipping?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-engine-overheats-and-transmission.html

-------------

2006 Ford Explorer: Engine Vibrates and gears slipping?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/2006ford-explorer-engine-vibrates-and.html

---------------

Clutch slipping problem?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/03/clutch-slipping-problem.html

----------

Dodge Anti slip System is not operating?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/dodge-anti-slip-system-is-not-operating.html

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OD light flashing and transmission fluid leaking?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/od-light-flashing-and-transmission.html

------------

Transmission fluid leaks near radiator on ford windstar?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-fluid-leaks-near-radiator.html

-------------

Ford Windstar transmission fluid leaking?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-windstar-transmission-fluid.html

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TRANSMISSION REPLACING AND TROUBLESHOOTING

http://alltypesofpartsreplacing.blogspot.com/2012/12/transmission-replacing-and.html

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These details will help.

Thanks.

Transmission gear assembly and transmission needs inspection.Also check the transmission fluid level.Also is the fluid getting leaked or its low.

There are few very helpful links with solutions to troubleshoot these problem.

========
I suggest you to refer these links.

Click the link below:-----

2000 Toyota Camry: Transmission slipping and Stuck up? http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2000-toyota-camry-transmission-slipping.html
-----------
Transmission Slips out of 2nd gear? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-slips-out-of-2nd-gear.html

----------
Car engine Overheats and transmission starts slipping? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-engine-overheats-and-transmission.html

-------------
2006 Ford Explorer: Engine Vibrates and gears slipping? http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/2006ford-explorer-engine-vibrates-and.html

---------------
Clutch slipping problem? http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/03/clutch-slipping-problem.html

----------
Dodge Anti slip System is not operating? http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/dodge-anti-slip-system-is-not-operating.html

----------
OD light flashing and transmission fluid leaking?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/od-light-flashing-and-transmission.html

------------
Transmission fluid leaks near radiator on ford windstar?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-fluid-leaks-near-radiator.html

-------------
Ford Windstar transmission fluid leaking? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-windstar-transmission-fluid.html

-----------

These details will help.
Thanks.

Transmission gear assembly and transmission needs inspection. Also check the transmission fluid level. Also is the fluid getting leaked or its low.

There are few very helpful links with solutions to troubleshoot these problem.

========

I suggest you to refer these links.

Click the link below:-----

2000 Toyota Camry: Transmission slipping and Stuck up? http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2000-toyota-camry-transmission-slipping.html

-----------
Transmission Slips out of 2nd gear?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-slips-out-of-2nd-gear.html

----------
Car engine Overheats and transmission starts slipping?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-engine-overheats-and-transmission.html

-------------
2006 Ford Explorer: Engine Vibrates and gears slipping?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/2006ford-explorer-engine-vibrates-and.html

---------------
Clutch slipping problem?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/03/clutch-slipping-problem.html

----------
Dodge Anti slip System is not operating?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/dodge-anti-slip-system-is-not-operating.html

----------
OD light flashing and transmission fluid leaking?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/od-light-flashing-and-transmission.html

------------
Transmission fluid leaks near radiator on ford windstar?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-fluid-leaks-near-radiator.html

-------------
Ford Windstar transmission fluid leaking?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-windstar-transmission-fluid.html

-----------

These details will help.

Thanks.

Sounds like the alternator has bad diodes. Does it then start back up?

Mine only flashes when I start the engine. Once I place it in drive it stops and operates normally. This includes up and down shiftsing. If I place the tranny uner a load when the light is flashing (it flashes for about 10 secinds then it will chatter.
Maybe its a clogged transmission filter? Obviously is a fluid pressure problem. I drove it 5000 miles with this problem and it seems to not affected the tranny. Some folks talk about the Neutral Start switch. with 185K and a rebuilt tranny at 120K I am not going to invest $3000 to replace it

Sounds to me like it may be a sensor in the transmission. Possibly the shift seleniod or the od sensor itself.