What is wrong with a 1995 ford probe if the overdrive light flashes off and has a shaky low idle?

Answer 1

The 93-97 Ford Probe/Mazda MX-6, Ford Contour 95-97/Mercury Mystique/Mazda 626, Mercury Cougar, and Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner, Mazda Tribute all had the same 4 Spd Automatic Transmission.

The Model C4RD series built by Mazda for Ford.

This model had one major problem. It overheats.

The Flashing O/D light is telling you that the transmission fluid is too hot and will cause the transmission to shift hard. Usually folks will turn the car off and then restart and the light stops flashing and the transmission shifts normally.

Ford will tell you that the transmission is bad and needs to be replaced. This may be the case if the fluid has been allowed to burn and run extensively without replacement.

Here's the fix for this problem that seems to work for most cars that have not been driven too long with this problem.

Certified Transmission will power flush your Transmission and cooling system that is located in the radiator for approx. $160. This should be done every 30,000 miles anyway. The C4RD transmission has no filter in the pan, only a screen. It can be changed, but requires the transmission to be removed since the pan is located on the front of the Transmission behind the radiator and below the battery on the drivers side.

You will also need to install an external transmission cooler on the front of the radiator behind the grill. Trust me this is a good thing. Spend the money and buy the stacked fin type versus the tube and fin type. Both will work, but the stacked fin type cools almost 4 times as well for the size. Flush the system and have a cooler installed also. You can also install an external oil filter assembly behind the grill giving you the option to change the filter every 10,000 miles without having to drain the system.

Basically behind the radiator, you'll see two lines coming from the transmission that screw into the tanks. Cut one line with a pipe cutter like one used for brake lines (no shavings). Then using transmission line rubber tubing, divert the flow into your cooler and oil filter, then back to the line to the transmission. Takes a few hours but saves your transmission on wear and tear and extends the life.

Also, the shaky idle may be a tune up, if not, then check the idle air control motor ($78). It's located on the throttle body and allows air to bypass the throttle butterfly valve when it's closed. The motor gets weak or is dirty. If dirty, use ONLY Throttle body cleaner, NOT Carb Cleaner. Also check your vacuum lines for loose connections or breaks.

Good luck...

BTW, I own two Ford Contours and One Probe.