O/D light started flashing, then lost acceleration

50

Asked by ggats Oct 23, 2015 at 01:32 PM about the 2003 Mazda Tribute LX V6

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I was driving to work and about 10mins into my drive the O/D light starts flashing, then I lost acceleration. Like it was in neutral...? If i turn off my car then restart after a few mins, its ok for about 20 meters then happens again. I dont know if its a sensor or solenoid or am I looking at a dead tranny??
I have also had the AWD lilght flashing for about 2 weeks now, could this all be related to a faulty Solenoid?
I do have a high amount of KMs on my car - just over 340,000 and only bought it less than a month ago.

6 Answers

130

Our car has just started doing this. Another in song list of problems we have had with this awful vehicle. Did you figure out what was wrong with yours? I'm concerned it's the tranny. Thanks.

9 people found this helpful.
50

I hate to report but the transmission had to be replaced....no way around it and I know I wasn't being ripped off as my boyfriend is a mechanic. I got a second hand one from a pick and pull and had it put in by my boyfriend but still coat me about $1000 in parts and oils....with no guarantee how long this will last, but atleast it's running to sell now! That's my advice....sell!!

5 people found this helpful.
130

Thanks so much for your answer. Ours is the bloody transmission too. We were just about to sell it too we have had constant problems with it ever since we bought it as soon as one thing gets fixed another problem rears it's ugly head. Absolute piece of shit these cars are. Now it's sitting waiting for us to come up with the ??? to fix it with a quote of $2000 to fix it. Hope you sell yours fast.

4 people found this helpful.
20

Same problem on my 2003 mazda tribute. Never buying mazda again. Left me stranded. Huge tow bill and now a car sitting not worth getting another transaxle because its basically worthless peice of junk anyway.

2 people found this helpful.

Same thing with my 2003 tribute tranny out big tow Bill 425 bucks later

20

Had the same problem with my 02 tribute was only going 15 mph didn't want to shift and OD light was flashing turned out to be a Neutral Safety Switch it lets the car know if your in neutral or drive and it gets stuck if it has had any water leaking on it after awhile. There about $50 at the auto parts store

2 people found this helpful.

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