# Car won't start after O/D light blinking

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-o-d-light-blinking/73940>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [August 6, 2012, 1:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-o-d-light-blinking/73940 "2012-08-06T01:01:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![vuvoozela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/4bbf92/32.png) [@vuvoozela](https://community.cartalk.com/u/vuvoozela)\
**Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 1:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-o-d-light-blinking/73940/1 "2012-08-06T01:01:37Z")

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My Mazda MPV suddenly won’t start. When I turn the car on and try using the electronic locks, that “locking” sound sounds very weak and the car is unable to lock or unlock itself. I tried jumping it, and I took the battery to an auto shop which said that battery was fine. I recall that last time I drove the car, the O/D light was blinking, which I found odd. So, what’s wrong with my car? ☹

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**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\
**Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 1:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-o-d-light-blinking/73940/2 "2012-08-06T01:21:49Z")

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Clean and check battery cable connections, specially the ground bolt on the engine block.

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 1:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-o-d-light-blinking/73940/3 "2012-08-06T01:24:21Z")

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A blinking O/D light indicates an electronic problem with your transmission, and this is not something to take lightly, as an electronic trans problem that is ignored can morph into a much more expensive mechanical problem with the transmission.

That being said, I am unsure of how a trans problem would preclude being able to start the engine.  
I think that, at this point, you have little recourse other than having the car towed to a competent mechanic.

If this mystery-vintage Mazda is still under warranty, obviously it should be towed to a Mazda dealer.  
If the warranty has lapsed, a competent independent mechanic ( **NOT** a chain like Midas, Meineke, Monro, Sears, Pep Boys, AAMCO, etc) should be able to diagnose and fix the problem(s).

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**Author:** ![RemcoW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/remcow/32/2471_2.png) [@RemcoW](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RemcoW)\
**Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 3:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-o-d-light-blinking/73940/4 "2012-08-06T03:58:51Z")

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I bet Barky is right on point. The OD light may very well be related to the system starving for the right battery voltage.