Just got my hands on a 96 jdm 3door prado with the 3.0td and 4 speed auto. Noticed that “O/D off” flashes on (.2 sec) and off (.4sec) when overdrive is enabled and it does this on repeat until I turn overdrive of. When it’s off “O/D off” lights up. Talked to my buddy with a 100 series and he’s never seen this happen with his 1kzte 100. I tried hooking up my obd reader under the dash but it seems like my prado has a different spec connector. It’s blue and looks roughly the same size as an obd port but it’s a rectangle instead of the trapezoid style shape of obd.
O/D off flashing intermittently, no obd port
- Thread starter Sparkxy
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Mine does the same in terms of having the switch in the off position turns it on Nd vice versa. Never understood that, but it works so I also never researched it or tried to fix it.
The OD light flashing sounds unusual though. Particularly because it's flashing in a pattern. It reminds me of when the ECU is put into that mode where you can read the flashing "check engine" lights to determine DTC Codes? You can reset the auto trans by disconnecting the battery(s) for about 15 minutes or so, reconnecting and taking it for a strong drive out in the open road. But it's possible their is a dodgy wire or solenoid on the actual auto trans itself that needs attention.
The port shape you're referring to is the older style M-OBD, usually found in the engine bay while the OBD2 port is usually found under the dash in the drivers footwell (if installed). You can get an adaptor that goes from M-OBD to OBD2 then use a Bluetooth dongle from there but i've never had any luck with that on my mates 1996 Prado (Petrol). The ECU just would not connect for some reason. You might be stuck with doing the old "join the 2 pins" technique for reading DTC codes. You might be able to persist with it though and work it out.
- Thread starter
- #3
Thank you for the response. When it comes to jumpering, I looked into the Haynes manual and it says to jumper TE1 and E1. When I do this after the car is warm and I’ve duplicated the issue, the car doesn’t spit out any fault codes. Is there a special procedure for transmission fault codes?
Sounds like the trans might be ok? I've never experienced any problems with these trans before (other than maybe some slippage during towing in hot summer months?
Is your trans actually jumping between OD on/off when the light flashes? It sounds to me like a dicky wire/conmection in the circuit between the button and the trans OD solenoid. It I were you, I'd learn which connection is the OD solenoid and start chasing wiring from there. Check the connector for corrosion. Wiring for damage or split shielding. Remove the gear shifter handle and inspect the connection to the plug etc etc. All simple stuff and good to rule out.
Following that, if the OD is engaging/disengaging while you drive, I would pull the ECU out from behind the glove box and very carefully open it and inspect the PCB board for leaking caps. Easy job, just don't damage it. Plenty of pics around the web showing you what to look for but it should be pretty obvious, even to the untrained eye.
That's all I can think of right now. Hopefully it something simple like a damaged wire you can just cut and resolder or a bad connection that needs a clean.
Good luck
