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Topic: SHift light flashes on while cruising.... (Read 4490 times) previous topic - next topic

SHift light flashes on while cruising....

WTF?!?!  ever since I swapped the rad and put the mechanical fan back on, my shift light keeps flashing now... WTF would cause this?  and why is it all the sudden doing it now?  how does the shift light work?  is it through a knock sensor or what?  I have noticed it feels like the motor has picked up a slight vibration now when you wind it out a bit...  could that be the cause?  guess I will convert it back to the electric fan...

SHift light flashes on while cruising....

Reply #1 –
Is this in your MN12?
Are you referring to the 'O/D OFF' light in the cluster?
If so, I think it flashes when there is something wrong with the transmission. You may consider scanning it for codes to see what may be active and/or pending.
I once pulled the pan to do a fluid and filter change and found some parts laying in it (fantastic!). As it turns out, the TC shift solenoid blew itself up and never threw a code. My O/D light has never flashed.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

SHift light flashes on while cruising....

Reply #2 –
no it is my XR-7, my MN12 is a 4.6L which has an electric fan....  It is my "shift" Light in the lower right hand side  of my guage cluster.

SHift light flashes on while cruising....

Reply #3 –
Quote from: 1WLD BRD;195794
no it is my XR-7, my MN12 is a 4.6L which has an electric fan....  It is my "shift" Light in the lower right hand side  of my guage cluster.


????
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

SHift light flashes on while cruising....

Reply #4 –
From the 84 shop manual:
Turned on by the EEC based on engine speed and manifold vacuum levels.
There is a top gear switch on the transmission case. The switch opens to keep the light off in top gear.

SHift light flashes on while cruising....

Reply #5 –
Really they had a shift light? Why would an auto trans car have a shift light?
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

SHift light flashes on while cruising....

Reply #6 –
Maybe a canadian car thing but I think that is an O/D light here in the states.
One 88

SHift light flashes on while cruising....

Reply #7 –
I think he's talking about his 88 XR7. It's a shift light (an arrow, IIRC). I was not even aware that it was active in these cars, kinda like the "Check Turbo" light in the full digital cluster.
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

SHift light flashes on while cruising....

Reply #8 –
Dunno about the early TC/XR7s, but we had a '86 2.3 Stang 4 speed with the shift light... Mostly ignored it...

Didn't know any 5.0 bird/coug had a active shift light...

SHift light flashes on while cruising....

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Thunder Chicken;195886
I think he's talking about his 88 XR7. It's a shift light (an arrow, IIRC). I was not even aware that it was active in these cars, kinda like the "Check Turbo" light in the full digital cluster.


yep, for all the people that dont understand here are some pics....




I just noticed today that it didn't come on, so I am not going to worry about it now...
 

SHift light flashes on while cruising....

Reply #10 –
Wow I didn't even know that had a bulb in that socket on those cars.
One 88

SHift light flashes on while cruising....

Reply #11 –
This is a new one on me as well. I cannot find any hint of it in my 1984 & 1986 EVTMs, nor my 1987 shop manuals. Softtouch, what is the circuit number/page number in your book? Is this a 4-cylinder thing, or a V8 thing, or a Canada thing? Seems like most of us Americans haven't heard of it. I've certainly never seen that indicator in any of the clusters that have gone through my possession over the years.

RJ, did you swap this cluster in or is it the original one?

SHift light flashes on while cruising....

Reply #12 –
wow i've never seen one of these at all, but i've got a aport coupe. (i got the other 2 lights on the left side as many of you do.)
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
:america: An American Restoration. :birdsmily:
1987 Ford Thunderbird Sport (resting)
1993 Mazda Miata 1.6l (daily driver)

SHift light flashes on while cruising....

Reply #13 –
From the 84 shop manual:
 Body Chassis Electrical Section 33-15.

Shift Indicator Lamp:
Vehicle Application-- LTD/Marquis, Mustang/Capri with 2.3L engine and manual shift.
It's purpose is intended to provide optimum fuel economy

Emission Diagnosis & Engine/Electronics.

Pinpoint Test KL shows it turned on by the STO (Self Test Output) pin 17 from the EEC.

This is the EEC pin that outputs the codes and, if you have one, turns on the check engine light. Since 84's didn't have a check engine light there was no conflict.

This is not on 84 T-Bird/Cougar

SHift light flashes on while cruising....

Reply #14 –
Quote from: EricCoolCats;195912

RJ, did you swap this cluster in or is it the original one?


It is the original cluster, and The bulb has alway come on, everytime I start the car, (like all the regular warning lights do) then goes out right after start up....

It has NEVER came on when driving, even when reving up to redline before I shift, even before I swapped to the electrical fan, til I swapped back to the mechanical fan.