Speedometer issue

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May 15, 2013 | 10:23 AM

brown1911

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Speedometer issue

Throwing this out there hoping for some useful info.

1999 Ford Ranger 4.0 auto 4X4

Speedometer works fine during the day.

During night time driving, after about 10 min with headlights on speedometer will stop working.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

May 15, 2013 | 10:58 PM

pawpaw

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From: SW Va

If you use the dash dimmer to turn the dash lights Off, does the speed-o still act out????

May 16, 2013 | 07:19 AM

tomw

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From: suburban atlanta

I would check the headlight switch for getting hot, check grounds, and check the connectors to the back of the cluster. The headlights use electricity, and also turn on the cluster lights. If there was a bad ground or poor connection to the cluster, it might make the speedometer become the pathway to ground to run the lights... or the radio .. or the blower motor .. or wipers .. Once connections are un-made for any reason, weird stuff can happen.
tom

May 16, 2013 | 06:33 PM

KF4EYR

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Joined: Dec 2003

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From: florida

what tomw said,, and check your grounds to the cab, i had a lot of problems with my 99 ranger because of that also your altenator could be getting weak or going bad.

May 16, 2013 | 08:12 PM

brown1911

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Thanks for the replies.

1st when turning the dimmer down it takes longer to kill speedometer, but it does.

2nd new alternator.

3rd have not got into dash yet to check stuff. which grounds do you think would affect this issue.

Thanks for responses

May 16, 2013 | 08:25 PM

mfp4073

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 1,726

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From: down south

Quote:

Originally Posted by brown1911

was this happening before the alternator was installed?

May 16, 2013 | 11:34 PM

KF4EYR

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 193

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From: florida

mine was the body to the motor ground and the battery to the fender ground,

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May 25, 2013 | 10:22 PM

brown1911

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Problem solved. Found wire under dash the one that goes to the parking brake for the light had grounded out. It had been cut into in the past. Whoever patched wire did a crappy tape job. Respliced and heat shrink. Everything is well now. Oh and replaced shot fuse. Thanks for responses.

May 25, 2013 | 11:25 PM

#10

pawpaw

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Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 13,851

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From: SW Va

OK, good find, fix, feedback & to hear all is well & your on the road again without the speed-o acting out. First I've heard of this type of problem messing with the speed-o.