My 1996 ford explorer was shifting fine until i changed the transmission fuild on it. Now it wont take 4th and 5th gear and the o/d light flashes on and of after driving it for a few min.

it is a v6 4.0L with 4x4.

here is alittle history on it from the guy i bought it off. he told me it need the transmission flushed because it would hesitate to take 4th gear so when i cheged the fluid it was black as old motor oil with no color left. so what could be the problem

 

My O.D. Light was flashing the other day. *(read my post above yours.) Now it revs the rpm's a bit before shifting to third. I am going to the tranny store tomorrow. I have the five speed, is yours the 4 or the 5? I'll ask.

 

mine is a 4. but i took it to 2 tranny shops and they told me i need a new transmission.

 

I have a 5-speed and just had to have it changed... i don't know if yours is the same as mine, but if it is, it has a needle bearing at the end of the rod in the very front of the transmission... you should check that. mine EXPLODED... and all the shards melted onto the rod and made it impossible for me to change gears.