Notices
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  

VSS Problem?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 5, 2011 | 11:01 AM
  #1  
stevorino's Avatar
stevorino
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 454
Likes: 1
From: College Station TX
VSS Problem?

Straight to the point....I drove from NM to Texas about 2 months ago and my truck barely made it home because the VSS was going bad. I went to the dealership and got a new Motorcraft VSS. Replaced it and the truck was doing fine until about 2 weeks ago it starts acting up again. No codes thrown but I have a shudder at all speeds. I have also noticed that the speedometer is wobbling when I get above 50mph. I checked the VSS again this morning and it looked fine. Even the pigtail was in good condition. Any ideas? I thought maybe because I drove it so far with a bad vss that the torque converter could have been damaged, but the fluid looks nice and red.
 
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2011 | 11:13 AM
  #2  
fordpride's Avatar
fordpride
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 15,505
Likes: 18
From: Livoina,La
Did you clean the end of the vss
 
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2011 | 11:18 AM
  #3  
stevorino's Avatar
stevorino
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 454
Likes: 1
From: College Station TX
I did. It was pretty clean already
 
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2011 | 11:19 AM
  #4  
fordpride's Avatar
fordpride
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 15,505
Likes: 18
From: Livoina,La
I would try s different one and see what happens
 
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2011 | 12:45 PM
  #5  
joe_13894's Avatar
joe_13894
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 2
From: The boonies by Dallas OR
If it keeps acting up it may be time to change out the speedometer module.
 
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2011 | 02:59 PM
  #6  
BuckHammer's Avatar
BuckHammer
Cargo Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 115
Club FTE Silver Member

Look here and maybe also here. The first thread tells my tale of endless struggles with my VSS circuit malfunctions and how that affects the E4OD. I'm finally solving it by swapping to a ZF 5 speed, which is the subject of the second thread.

I hope that helps, and good luck with your issue, because I haven't been able to cure my speed sensor circuit yet.
 
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2011 | 03:17 PM
  #7  
stevorino's Avatar
stevorino
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 454
Likes: 1
From: College Station TX
Buck, it sounds like your truck is doing what mine is. Have you tried swapping the speedo?
 
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2011 | 07:14 PM
  #8  
BuckHammer's Avatar
BuckHammer
Cargo Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 115
Club FTE Silver Member

No. I haven't tried that. I probably never will, either, because after I do the manual transmission swap, it shouldn't be a problem. I may fix it later so that my cruise works better.

I was under the impression that the VSS was wired to the PCM, and then the PCM was wired to the speedo, not through the speedo to the PCM. I haven't really looked at that part of the wiring, though, so it's very possible that I am mistaken.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-3

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-6

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

 Joe Kucinski
Old Aug 5, 2011 | 07:43 PM
  #9  
stevorino's Avatar
stevorino
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 454
Likes: 1
From: College Station TX
I have the factory manual. I will check it out this weekend.
 
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2011 | 08:05 PM
  #10  
RÖENTGEEP's Avatar
RÖENTGEEP
FOREIGN GURU
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,655
Likes: 7
From: Celaya, Gto. MX
Club FTE Silver Member

Question

Jus a question is your third brake light working?.
 
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2011 | 10:22 PM
  #11  
stevorino's Avatar
stevorino
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 454
Likes: 1
From: College Station TX
I just passed inspection so I think it is. Also the transmission disengaged as soon as I step on the brakes.
 
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2011 | 11:02 PM
  #12  
joe_13894's Avatar
joe_13894
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 2
From: The boonies by Dallas OR
It goes to the spedo and then the spedo sends pulses to the PCM.
 
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2011 | 10:26 PM
  #13  
540milotalon's Avatar
540milotalon
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 869
Likes: 5
From: Near Shenandoah Valley
Friend took his '97 Auto 4X4 to stealership this past week. Three weeks ago my A/E read P0500-VSS-P1275 #5 high/low side open, P1279 low circuit # 7, P1277 high low side open #7. I suspected inj. wiring.He had a mom-pop guy replace VSS parts and labor $65.00. Truck still had miss. Brought it back to me week ago same symptoms, jumping in and out of different speeds. Ford stealer said ...BAD IDM. They said they changed it out after testing and it ran better and shifting problem went away. They wanted $1300.00 and change for IDM and labor to install. He is running my 100V out of the '95 and says it's a little week but drivable. Is this possible in ya'll's opinion? If it's possible then this would not be hijacking a thread. If it's not, sorry for hijacking.
 
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2011 | 05:25 AM
  #14  
stevorino's Avatar
stevorino
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 454
Likes: 1
From: College Station TX
Found out my 3rd brake like is out. Duh. Putting a new one in tomorrow. I bet that solves it. At least I hope it does.
 
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2011 | 04:49 PM
  #15  
BuckHammer's Avatar
BuckHammer
Cargo Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 115
Club FTE Silver Member

Perhaps I'm missing something obvious, but what in the world does the VSS or a P0500 have to do with the third brake light?
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:10 AM.

story-0
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE