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Speedometer bounces

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Old Jun 7, 2011 | 12:05 PM
  #1  
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From: Fairbanks
Speedometer bounces

96 F-250 7.5L. I replaced the VSS in rear diff and the needle still bounces. Yes, if you've seen my previous threads, it still dies when starting moving away from stop. Both problems started happening the same day, after removing speedo cluster to fix column shifter. Rechecked cluster connections and even cleaned them with pencil eraser. Still bouncing 5mph either side of "correct" reading. If i'm going 30, it'll bounce between 25-35.
 
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Old Jun 7, 2011 | 01:10 PM
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From: Easton,Ks
Check the parts that are mounted on the PSOM board. May have a bad cap or a loose lead that may need to be resoldered.
 
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Old Jul 19, 2011 | 09:44 AM
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Originally Posted by jimbo285
96 F-250 7.5L. I replaced the VSS in rear diff and the needle still bounces. Yes, if you've seen my previous threads, it still dies when starting moving away from stop. Both problems started happening the same day, after removing speedo cluster to fix column shifter. Rechecked cluster connections and even cleaned them with pencil eraser. Still bouncing 5mph either side of "correct" reading. If i'm going 30, it'll bounce between 25-35.
I know this is an old post but did you find the problem. I have a similar issue. The needle bounces around at 65 to 70 mph and the truck will die if idling away from a dead stop in any gear including neutral.
 
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Old Jul 19, 2011 | 09:54 AM
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I had the EXACT same problem. what I found was there was a capacitor on the PSOM board that was loose and when I removed the board from the dash, it came off. Without even touching it much, another one came off. So I took it to a friend to have soldered back on and the 48 pin main IC on the back then started to fall off. Each one hadn't been cleaned properly when they were originally installed.

Once my friend soldered everything back on, it all worked fine until I sold the truck a year later.

If you know how to solder or know someone who can (takes a steady hand to do this job) then you can probably fix it for about $1.00 worth of materials. If not, then you may need to buy one off the internet (they do make them so you can keep your mileage if that is important) but they are around $250 or more.

good luck.
 
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Old Jul 19, 2011 | 10:13 AM
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Originally Posted by RIKIL
I had the EXACT same problem. what I found was there was a capacitor on the PSOM board that was loose and when I removed the board from the dash, it came off. Without even touching it much, another one came off. So I took it to a friend to have soldered back on and the 48 pin main IC on the back then started to fall off. Each one hadn't been cleaned properly when they were originally installed.

Once my friend soldered everything back on, it all worked fine until I sold the truck a year later.

If you know how to solder or know someone who can (takes a steady hand to do this job) then you can probably fix it for about $1.00 worth of materials. If not, then you may need to buy one off the internet (they do make them so you can keep your mileage if that is important) but they are around $250 or more.

good luck.
Thanks for the info. I'll pull it out and check it. Very frustrating since it doesn't seem to throw any codes.
 
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Old Jul 19, 2011 | 10:18 AM
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Originally Posted by robertsblk70
Thanks for the info. I'll pull it out and check it. Very frustrating since it doesn't seem to throw any codes.
the one code I did get was from the PSOM itself. I think it would flash 'erro.r' or something like that. What it meant was that the PSOM was not able to retain the wheel constant (which is used to calculate speed and mileage for different sized tires).
 
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Old Jul 19, 2011 | 10:19 AM
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From: Fairbanks
I replaced the gauge cluster with a similar used unit and fixed all the listed problems. I am now in the process of getting original unit repaired.
 
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Old Jun 27, 2012 | 09:29 AM
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Hi all! These forums are great! My speedo started the bounce several years ago while driving down the interstate ('96 F250HD P.S. w/ Auto 2wd). I was on my way home, so I picked up a vss from Napa and that didn't help. Since it was no longer my primary vehicle, I just parked it and occasionally my dad would borrow it for short in-town trips. When driving around 30 mph the needle would dance and it couldn't determine whether it should be in 2nd or 3rd... very irritating. From what I've gathered, I should first unplug the abs unit behind the glove box. Second, order a VSS from Motorcraft. Third (because this is the most time consuming and delicate) dissasemble the dash and check all connections (solder points) on the back of the cluster. Sound like I'm headed in the right direction? Sadly she's been parked for the last 2 years, but a month ago after a week on the battery charger and a very small shot of juice she fired right up! I'd like to get her back on the road
 
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Old Jun 27, 2012 | 09:35 AM
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Originally Posted by strokendiesel002
Hi all! These forums are great! My speedo started the bounce several years ago while driving down the interstate ('96 F250HD P.S. w/ Auto 2wd). I was on my way home, so I picked up a vss from Napa and that didn't help. Since it was no longer my primary vehicle, I just parked it and occasionally my dad would borrow it for short in-town trips. When driving around 30 mph the needle would dance and it couldn't determine whether it should be in 2nd or 3rd... very irritating. From what I've gathered, I should first unplug the abs unit behind the glove box. Second, order a VSS from Motorcraft. Third (because this is the most time consuming and delicate) dissasemble the dash and check all connections (solder points) on the back of the cluster. Sound like I'm headed in the right direction? Sadly she's been parked for the last 2 years, but a month ago after a week on the battery charger and a very small shot of juice she fired right up! I'd like to get her back on the road
Save yourself some time and go straight to the cluster. If you can't fix that hen you can order one from the internet
 
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Old Jun 27, 2012 | 09:38 AM
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alright! I'll try to get to it this weekend and report back.
 
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