Assuming it is an automatic transmission, I would check the fluid level. When the transmission is warmed up, the level should read 'full' on the transmission dipstick. Check the color and smell of the oil. Does it smell burnt, or does it appear to be brown instead of red? Perhaps the filter screen is clogged.
First the gear could be out. The other issue could be with the linkage itself in the transmission thus it won't go into overdrive.
The most common reason for a transmission to go bad is not maintaining it properly. Another cause is hot temperature. Heat can break down the fluid that protects the transmission causing it to fail.
the transmission is controlled by engine coolant temp.. if eng. temp. isn't getting hot enough or if the temp. sensor isn't sending the info. then the transmission won't shift into high (overdrive) gear. hopes this helps
why does the 1991 Lincoln towncars transmission not have overdrive?Instead of going into overdrive it seems to go into neutral.But if you take it out of overdrive and leave it in drive it never goes into neutral while I'm driving.
There are many possible meanings to the word overdrive. Many people use the word overdrive to mean going beyond normal. As far as automotive terms go, overdrive simply means that the transmission output shaft spins at a faster rate than the input shaft. So, for example, if a transmission had a .70 overdrive ratio, then the transmission output would spin one full turn for every .70 turns of the input shaft.
Overdrive is controlled by the shift solenoid, and vacuum modulator. the kick down you refer to is not overdrive but passing gear and should also be controlled by vacuum.
If the overdrive light won't go off or it flashes this indicates a transmission problem. It could be a matter of replacing the shift solenoids or an entire rebuild. You might try pulling the codes and see if any of them indicate a transmission problem.
Are you sure you don't mean OD off light? If so, that means that the overdrive gear in your transmission is not activated. On automatic transmission models there is a button on the end of the shift lever which controls whether the transmission is in overdrive or not. Push in on this button - the light should go out and overdrive will be activated (which will definitely give you better gas mileage).
overdrive is not working and it should be looked at by a transmission shop
First, check fluid, if sufficient then check sensor that communicates with the transmission.
It's telling you there maybe something wrong with your transmission. Have the codes read and go from there.
A bad transmission.