wacko speedometer and odometer
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Joined: Jun 2003
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wacko speedometer and odometer
okay everyone... here's my situation...
i bought a '99 F-150 XLT (4.6 ltr) a little over a week ago... it's not my every-day vehicle, so i've only driven it 3-4 times... it's in pretty nice shape, 55K miles....
on friday (misty, wet afternoon) i was driving down the road (about 45 mph) when the speedometer went to 0.
For about 30 seconds, all of the other guages (rpm, etc) seemed to be working fine...
then i noticed the 'overdrive off' light on the shifter blinking...
then the odometer switched to '- - - - - - '.....
then about 30 seconds after that, everything came back to normal...
I also noticed (possibly unrelated) that the 3rd brake light on the cap isn't working (it's working on the truck, just not the cap) I didn't notice if it worked or not when i purchased it. I did take the cap off once to clean the bedliner....
any suggestions???? if any of you has any suggestions/information it would be greatly appreciated!!!
thanks in advance!!!
Tim
i bought a '99 F-150 XLT (4.6 ltr) a little over a week ago... it's not my every-day vehicle, so i've only driven it 3-4 times... it's in pretty nice shape, 55K miles....
on friday (misty, wet afternoon) i was driving down the road (about 45 mph) when the speedometer went to 0.
For about 30 seconds, all of the other guages (rpm, etc) seemed to be working fine...
then i noticed the 'overdrive off' light on the shifter blinking...
then the odometer switched to '- - - - - - '.....
then about 30 seconds after that, everything came back to normal...
I also noticed (possibly unrelated) that the 3rd brake light on the cap isn't working (it's working on the truck, just not the cap) I didn't notice if it worked or not when i purchased it. I did take the cap off once to clean the bedliner....
any suggestions???? if any of you has any suggestions/information it would be greatly appreciated!!!
thanks in advance!!!
Tim
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
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From: BC, Canada
wacko speedometer and odometer
Hi tdweekly and welcome to FTE 
When the instrument cluster fails to receive the odometer rolling count status for more than two seconds, the odometer display will show dashes.
I think I'd start by checking the Vehicle Speed Sensor mounted on the back of the transmission or transfer case if it's a 4x4. The resistance of the sensor should be 170-270 ohms. If it is you could have a worn gear that drives it. If it isnt you should replace the sensor.
When the instrument cluster fails to receive the odometer rolling count status for more than two seconds, the odometer display will show dashes.
I think I'd start by checking the Vehicle Speed Sensor mounted on the back of the transmission or transfer case if it's a 4x4. The resistance of the sensor should be 170-270 ohms. If it is you could have a worn gear that drives it. If it isnt you should replace the sensor.
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wacko speedometer and odometer
okay guys.. here's an update... I haven't check the resistence of that sensor yet, but here's what I did do..
I put the truck in HEC dealer test mode... (i.e. hold reset while putting ignition to Run...) the vehicle came up with the codes D123 and D041...
In the technical service publication it says these are "SCP (J1850) Invalid or Missing Data for Odometer" and "SCP (J1850) Invalid or Missing Data for Vehicle Speed"....
it says to "CARRY OUT the PCM self-test"... However, there's no mention HOW to do this test....
any suggestions????
i'm still going to check the resistance on that sensor, just haven't gotten around to getting underneath it w/ a ohmeter yet...
any help is greatly appreciated!!! thanks guys!!!
I put the truck in HEC dealer test mode... (i.e. hold reset while putting ignition to Run...) the vehicle came up with the codes D123 and D041...
In the technical service publication it says these are "SCP (J1850) Invalid or Missing Data for Odometer" and "SCP (J1850) Invalid or Missing Data for Vehicle Speed"....
it says to "CARRY OUT the PCM self-test"... However, there's no mention HOW to do this test....
any suggestions????
i'm still going to check the resistance on that sensor, just haven't gotten around to getting underneath it w/ a ohmeter yet...
any help is greatly appreciated!!! thanks guys!!!
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Louisville,Ky.
wacko speedometer and odometer
There was another thread on this not to long ago that had a pretty detailed explanation. Scroll thru the threads and see if you can locate it.
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Thread Starter
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New User
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wacko speedometer and odometer
can't seem to locate it.... (unless you're referring to unplugging the battery for ~10 min to reset the system)any help???
anyone???
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Cedar Rapids Linn
wacko speedometer and odometer
Not going to be of any help but I have a 96 Mustang that does the same thing as far as the speedo is concerned. Will work for a while then nothing. Anyway let us know I'm interested to hear
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wacko speedometer and odometer
Got to cheching if fuse box under dash one of the relays I belive it was #2 2nd one down the one for the insrument cluster was really warm So i replaced it works fine now it was doing the same thing you said but when I would try to go into 4x4 it wouldnt kinda wierd let me know if that helps you in your case.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Tulsa, OK
wacko speedometer and odometer
I would think if it states that is has invalid or missing data for speed, and a missing or invalid data for odometer. It would be the speed sensor that Dave is talking about. That sensor sends the speed of the tranny/transfer case to the PCM which tells the speedo how fast your going and tells the odometer how far you have travelled by the math computations. SO the culprit is probably the speed sensor.
It is telling you to do a PCM Self test, so it can determine exactly why you are getting those errors.
D Beames
It is telling you to do a PCM Self test, so it can determine exactly why you are getting those errors.
D Beames
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From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
wacko speedometer and odometer
tdweekly,
had a similar prblem w/ mine (98' 250LD). Fuel gauge read full all the time, speedo turned off and on, instrument panel was eratic in general. odometer was fine but is not digital type. I pulled the instrument cluster and found the ribbon wire connector was not clamped down on the wire. Easily fixed once the problem was found. I also bought mine used so you don't know what kind of half-assed job the last guy did to it. My advice is to check connectors for looseness. Let us know of any success.
had a similar prblem w/ mine (98' 250LD). Fuel gauge read full all the time, speedo turned off and on, instrument panel was eratic in general. odometer was fine but is not digital type. I pulled the instrument cluster and found the ribbon wire connector was not clamped down on the wire. Easily fixed once the problem was found. I also bought mine used so you don't know what kind of half-assed job the last guy did to it. My advice is to check connectors for looseness. Let us know of any success.