I got the 'ol M and S flashing thing randomly a couple weeks ago. Turned it off and back on and it went away. Now it's back with a vengeance, coming on consistently when I turn it on. I'm pretty sure it's something electrical, like a loose cable or a bad alternator, but I'm looking for a temporary way to get it to shift normally. I tried tricking it by shifting into 3rd then D but no dice. Are there any workarounds on this? I thought I read about one recently but can't seem to find it.

 

Clear the code with a code reader after you start the engine.

 

Thanks, I'll give that a shot.

 

If that's your only symptoms, mine was fixed by finding a bad battery connection.

Check both terminals and the other ends are good.

 

^ X2 - a bad battery connection was the culprit on mine.

 

In my experience of the infamous M&S flashing lights as long as they are still flashing you are stuck with limp mode until the problem is sorted and the old codes are cleared with a reader.

It can be many things causing the problem mine just happened to be the xyz switch becoming faulty.

 

I was driving on limp mode for quite sometime before I replaced the xyz switch. My experience, when I shift to R and then drive, the M+S start to flash. Only way I can drive was to turn off then start up again. Look at your shifter, it has to be on D if its blank and you can drive, its the switch. At some point my shifter was balancing between D and 3 to drive it. I need to find the sweet spot. Just hope its an loose electrical cable. the switch is hard to replace in the beginning. My other truck seems having a similar problem now but not sure if its electrical or part of the ignition. Good luck

 

In my case no S&M until backing and then shifting into forward. If a circular drive or when creatively parking would never go into limp.

That's what I did for a at least a month prior to switch R&R. Fortunately was already using a ScanGaugeII, was able to back out of drive and easily clear fault while underway. Sometimes it wasn't a set just pending or not even pending, S&M flashing and obviously in limp.

Bottom line, there are ways to reset/clear fault other than a stop/restart and you'll likely be good to go until S&M/limp again.
......

 

Try this- start the vehicle in neutral and then go right into D. That worked for me until I could refurbish my XYZ switch. Mine was acting up when going from R to D. You will have to key it up first so you can get it out of park.