98 Avalon XLS Question About Overdrive Button - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

JohnHixson · 08-17-2011, 11:12 AM

I just bought a 98 Avalon XLS and the overdrive button won't work. The transmission works fine so I'm wondering could it be the OD button itself is broke or do you think it might be in the transmission?

denverdog · 08-17-2011, 12:42 PM

if the transmission works fine, i.e., it shifts into and out of 4th gear, then its just the indicator light that's not working.

JohnHixson · 08-17-2011, 03:36 PM

Thank you for the reply. I'm sorry but I think I should have stated the question more clearly. The "OD is off" light stays on on the dash. When you push the OD button on the shifter it does not turn the OD on. The transmission shifts smoothly from take off all the way through the gears but does not go into 4th. I was wondering if it is in the button itself. Like maybe a relay or electrical something that connects it to the transmission that is not working.

TedL · 08-17-2011, 06:07 PM

Your question still seems to reflect confusion. As the owner's manual says (available at the manufacturer's web site if you don't have print version), "on" is the normal condition for O/D. In those rare instances (trailer towing, long uphill grades) where you want it off, you press the button to turn it off, and the light should illuminate as a reminder to return it to the normal "on" position.

JohnHixson · 08-17-2011, 07:32 PM

I appreciate the reply. I understand exactly what you are telling me. I do have an owners manual and I did read what you just told me. Maybe the previous owner turned off the OD at some point. But now, at least since I purchased the vehicle a few days ago, I cannot get the OD to turn back on when pushing the button. That in a nutshell is my question...Why won't it turn back on? Is it possibly in the button itself? Is it more likely the transmission is in need of repair? I know that it isn't the light on the dash that is faulty because the car is not changing into 4th/OD.

TedL · 08-17-2011, 07:57 PM

So, regardless of whether the button on the shifter is in the "on" or "off" position, the "OD Off" light" remains illuminated and the tranny does not shift into O/D. Correct translation?????

Sounds like a bad switch or defective wiring. The tranny appears to be acting as it's told.

JohnHixson · 08-17-2011, 08:11 PM

Yes! You are translating correctly!! Thank you so much for your reply! And giving me the answer I was hoping for also! I was afraid that it might be in the transmission and it was going to be expensive to fix. I just wanted to find out if it was possibly the switch itself or wiring because I don't know enough about it myself.