Overdrive light off keeps flashing

Hello,

I'm Tom, you have to check your transmission fluid level. when it gets low it wont go into gear. Have you noticed a leak at all.

This guide can help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/automatic-transmission-problems

You should be able to see the dip stick on the drivers side of the engine somewhere by the battery. It should be checked on level ground,warmed up and running in park. Notice to see if its red and clear. If its dark and blackened then you will want to do a fluid change on it. It's probably low,
Let me know what you find.

Tom

My undercarriage also caught on fire last time I started the car. Could that be related or is that just garbage that got underneath?

What is this hose for because I just realized it was not connected?

Oh boy, that's not good you are going to have to take a good look at that. Yes that absolutely could be part of the problem, it caught on fire? For that to happen there must be oil that has leaked out to catch it probably got onto your catalytic converter. How did you put it out? Your going to have to look under there and see what burnt. Was it oil or dry grass up there. That's dangerous can you send a pic of under there?

Which one in the picture wasn't connected? I believe that's part of the evap system. How is the transmission fluid level? Have you checked it yet?
Tom

Yes, it is fine. could that hose be the whole problem?

Here is the photo of where it was removed from:

Okay, the fluid level is good? What caught on fire then if it wasn't oil leaking can you tell? The hose probably not but hooked it back up and see what happens. You are going to need to get a scan on the system ans see what code it has in there. That will guide us to the issue.

I'm guessing it's dry grass cause I had to go into a dirt road got out and then saw the smoke no smoke before then.

Okay yes, i don't think that vacuum line would cause the transmission to stop going into gear but hook it up anyway. That's part of your evap system. Can you get the car scanned?

I am on my way to buy a code scanner now.

Also, when I was first driving it like that I could get the transmission to go into gear eventually but tapping the gas pedal but going backwards works just fine.

Yes, I'm surprised the fluid is full it has all the symptoms of being low. You should smell the fluid and see if it smells burnt to. Let me know what codes it has and we'll go from there.

Okay.

I'm actually kind of a little worried that if I start it up again it will catch fire so I just know that the transmission oil didn't look or smelt burnt as for it being low I am not sure yet so I'm going to throw caution to the wind and put some transmission fluid in and then start it and see if that helps.

I really hope it does though cause I am a doordasher and I need my vehicle to make a living and have been on the side of the road for around 2-3 weeks so if that does work I am going to feel pretty stupid that I wasted three weeks for nothing. On something I should have honestly checked.

I just filled it how long should I leave it on for?

That still didn't help the overdrive light off is still flashing and the transmission still shifts rough.

Hello,

Definitely get your a look under the car at the muffler pipe and catalytic converter. look for loose grass or oil down there. we need to absolutely know why is caught fire before you do anything else besides pull the code. We need to know before you start it and run it to warm up to check the fluid level.

That's super important to figure out before we go any farther. Can you snap some pictures of under the car where the fire happened?

Tom

Yeah of course.

This is what caught fire:

Good morning,

Okay, that is the catalytic converter and it gets super hot. I don't see oil on it so that's good. I do see oiliness on the bottom of the pan beyond it. You should be good to run it to check the transmission fluid level and to get codes out of it.
Tom

Okay well, I started up the car after switching the spark plugs with wires because I got them crossed. but started up the car minimal shaking like hardly at all still a little rough when shifting, but I now actually have power when stepping on the gas but make sure I turned it off after like 10 minutes. because the overdrive light it was still flashing. how do I get rid of that?

But there seems to be some strange sort of smell coming from inside the van i think.

Hello,

Okay, sounds like we are making some progress, but no codes from the scan?
the scanner has a place to reset the codes, do that, but you should go the old way just to be sure. Disconnect both battery terminals and touch them together for 30 seconds, this will reset the memory in the computer of anything stored in there. If after that then something is currently not perfect. We want perfect,lol. I apologize but Vanni, Whats that? Do you mean inside the van your getting a smell? Does it smell fuel/oil like, a sweet smell, or electronics. The flashing light means that the PCM of the cars computer is still sensing something not right or its stored and will go away once erased. Let me go see if I can find more details on that. Give me a couple and I will get right back on that.
Tom

The Transmission Control Switch (TCS) (Figure 43) signals the PCM with key power whenever the TCS is pressed. On vehicles with this feature, the Transmission Control Indicator Lamp (TCIL) lights when the TCS is cycled to disengage overdrive. The operator of the vehicle controls the position of the TCS. I believe flashing means its not disengaging.
You should go for a drive and verify the O/D is in fact working. When the overdrive isn't on when your on the highway and you let you foot off the gas pedal you will slow down with the engines rpm's. If its on and working then you will get more of a coasting feeling and the speed of the car wont go down as fast. The switch on the arm might be bad or the wires leading to it may be it. Do you have a tilt steering wheel that you use a lot? Wires at the bend spot after a while tend to weaken from the movement at it pivot point and eventually open the circuit.
Tom

And it's still acting up. it hasn't helped, but I noticed grease on the axle. could that be the problem with it? please get back to me.

Good morning Daniel,

Grease on the axle, is the boot ripped? That sounds like it could be your CV joint. Are you getting any grinding sounds around corners? That shouldn't have anything to do with the lights flashing though. Did you manage to get it scanned yet?
Tom

No, but would it be possible to take the car to my local AutoZone to get it scanned? Because I cannot find any place that has a scanner near me.

Hey,

Yes, AutoZone will do free scans.

No, I just meant did you think it would safe to drive the car there?

Yes, you should be fine.

Okay, cool. thanks

Okay, I took a screenshot of all the error codes and the most likely solution. so please tell me anything you can do to help.

Hey Daniel,

It didn't upload looks like. Can you try to again or just type them and I'll get what we need.
Tom

Yeah, no problem. okay basically the code that showed up was PO750 also known as the shift solenoid A and engine wiring harness check.

Okay.
Yes, that's for the shift solenoid A.
Check all power and grounds at the PCM. Check under hood fuse #8 being blown or missing and Inspect connector C213 for corrosion this connection is in the left side of the foot well inside the car. Look under the battery for harness connections as well.
Here are the two fuse block diagrams and legends. As a matter of habit I always check all the fuses with a test light, I recommend doing that with the car on and everything on as well, ie, headlights, heater fan, radio, etc.
Tom
2CarPros

Look through our repair guides section, in there you should find one that's about checking fuses and other useful information.

Problem still persists after checking all the wires no loose or unplugged wires, all looks fine. I have uploaded a series of pictures I took maybe this will help and again I really appreciate all your help so far.

Here are said photos.

Hi Daniel,

Something must have went wrong the photos didn't upload.

Tom

Sorry about that. here are the said pictures:

Were you able to get at the plugs that run into the transmission? I've been thinking about this fire and the flashing light. The range selector is located on the side of the transmission near the fire spot. I bet it's the issue. It's an easy change out but catch me up on what's happening now. You have the light flashing but the car is going into gear and able to drive. i didn't see a reply about the over drive test i asked about.
Tom

Yeah, it's able to drive and everything.

If I can just figure out where that solenoid is I could probably fix it, but I have no idea where the I would find it.