On my 97SE with 196K miles, the Overdrive "OFF" light has started blinking intermittently (not a steady blink or anything) without depressing the O/D button. So I figure there is a problem with the bulb or circuit. Not really because when the light blinks off, it is turning the overdrive on. This happens close to the transition speed (approx. 35 or so) and it causes the transmission to shift back and forth as the light goes off and comes back on. Has anyone else had this symptom and what was done to correct it? Not sure if this is an electronic issue or actual tranny mechanical problem. No real rhyme or reason as far as speed or conditions are concerned. BTW: Everything is fine when the transmission is set in O/D "off" position.

 

Seems like a tranny code. Get the number of blinks, and report back.

 

Not a "code blink" as in a series. Just an occasional blink on/off/on like it doesn't know what to do. At first I thought it was an optical illusion as if the steering wheel was blocking the light during rotation. Most of the time everything is OK. Other times it flickers and makes the overdrive kick in when I don't want it to (but it shifts back and forth which is worse.)

 

Could still be a transmission code. Go to the stickys and look how to retrieve the codes before you cause severe unrepairable damage to your tranny.

 

Yea this could be a trans problem... But!!! It could also be that your O/D switch on your selector may have a bad connection... Have your selector been remove?

Also you can do a manual trans code retrieval to see if you are throwing codes. Your FSM has instruction on retrieving trans codes do a search.... If you don't have one here a link http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/maxima/

 

another possibility . The connector for the OD switch is in a low spot under the console. and thus is prone to collecting any spill that make their way onto the shift area. I found mine doing what you mention due to spilled coffee settling into the connector.

 

Code is clear: 10 uniform blinks. No spills in/on the console. The O/D button seems to be tight with good on & off movements. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

You're saying you have no codes and no spills in/on console. Did you remove the console and checked the switch itself? I would start with that even if there are no spills to single out the O/D switch/wiring

 

mine does this , my wires are held togetehr by duck tape and you have to move it around to get the OD light to go off.

 

That's what I was trying to advice the op to check and see if maybe there's a bad connection or something first to eliminate that possibility

 

Thanks for the info! I will check the wiring for problems. Good advice which I appreciate!