speedometer problems
speedometer problems
i dunno the cause, just hasslin ya a tad 
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
Likes: 46
From: Drummonds, TN USA
speedometer problems
These are two seperate and destinct problems.
I myself have an old speedo that is fine above 45 mph - but right around thirty it bounces back and forth...
My conclusions are as follows:
Level one (least expensive to check out)
1) Lack of lubrication of the cable. White lithium grease or spray is the choice here, since this is an area that seldom sees any maintenance beyond replacement.
2) A 'kink' in the cable or a pinched spot. This can result from working on the truck, or from something striking the cable while driving. It can also be caused while doing a body lift if the cable is stretched in the process, or catches on the frame.
WORST CASE:
The speedo may be just plain old - but if that is true it shouldn't read at all and/or would be wildly inaccurate.
So the answer is; Clean, inspect, and lubricate the cable first.
If it is damaged replace the sheath and/or the cable (an OEM cable is best, so called "Universal" speedometer cables sometimes won't fit anything. And the cable ends are unreliable)
Only if everything else is working should the guage itself be replaced, and it might be worth the time to have it looked at by a speedometer shop specialist before you do.
-Unless of course you just wanted a trick looking speedo in the first place, and if you do that it would have to be calibrated in a shop anyway.
Your hard shifting problem could have a number of causes. Check your fluid first! If it's low, FIND THE LEAK THAT IS CAUSING IT.
This is important because you only have so much trans fluid - and when it gets too low damage can happen very rapidly.
For other causes of hard or late shifting, additional troubleshooting needs to be done.
~Wolf
I myself have an old speedo that is fine above 45 mph - but right around thirty it bounces back and forth...
My conclusions are as follows:
Level one (least expensive to check out)
1) Lack of lubrication of the cable. White lithium grease or spray is the choice here, since this is an area that seldom sees any maintenance beyond replacement.
2) A 'kink' in the cable or a pinched spot. This can result from working on the truck, or from something striking the cable while driving. It can also be caused while doing a body lift if the cable is stretched in the process, or catches on the frame.
WORST CASE:
The speedo may be just plain old - but if that is true it shouldn't read at all and/or would be wildly inaccurate.
So the answer is; Clean, inspect, and lubricate the cable first.
If it is damaged replace the sheath and/or the cable (an OEM cable is best, so called "Universal" speedometer cables sometimes won't fit anything. And the cable ends are unreliable)
Only if everything else is working should the guage itself be replaced, and it might be worth the time to have it looked at by a speedometer shop specialist before you do.
-Unless of course you just wanted a trick looking speedo in the first place, and if you do that it would have to be calibrated in a shop anyway.
Your hard shifting problem could have a number of causes. Check your fluid first! If it's low, FIND THE LEAK THAT IS CAUSING IT.
This is important because you only have so much trans fluid - and when it gets too low damage can happen very rapidly.
For other causes of hard or late shifting, additional troubleshooting needs to be done.
~Wolf
Last edited by Greywolf; Jun 14, 2003 at 11:52 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 1
speedometer problems
Actually these are not two seperate issues they are the same. The 2000 does not have a speedometer cable.
The 2000 has a sensor on the rear diff called an ABS speed sensor. When this sensor goes bad you lose speedometer, autoshifting, abs brakes. Some other symptoms include ABS light and Check engine light and rough idle. Spend the $12.00 and buy a new sensor from Ford and install it. It screws into the top of the rear diff....
The 2000 has a sensor on the rear diff called an ABS speed sensor. When this sensor goes bad you lose speedometer, autoshifting, abs brakes. Some other symptoms include ABS light and Check engine light and rough idle. Spend the $12.00 and buy a new sensor from Ford and install it. It screws into the top of the rear diff....
Originally posted by Greywolf
These are two seperate and destinct problems.
I myself have an old speedo that is fine above 45 mph - but right around thirty it bounces back and forth...
My conclusions are as follows:
Level one (least expensive to check out)
1) Lack of lubrication of the cable. White lithium grease or spray is the choice here, since this is an area that seldom sees any maintenance beyond replacement.
2) A 'kink' in the cable or a pinched spot. This can result from working on the truck, or from something striking the cable while driving. It can also be caused while doing a body lift if the cable is stretched in the process, or catches on the frame.
WORST CASE:
The speedo may be just plain old - but if that is true it shouldn't read at all and/or would be wildly inaccurate.
So the answer is; Clean, inspect, and lubricate the cable first.
If it is damaged replace the sheath and/or the cable (an OEM cable is best, so called "Universal" speedometer cables sometimes won't fit anything. And the cable ends are unreliable)
Only if everything else is working should the guage itself be replaced, and it might be worth the time to have it looked at by a speedometer shop specialist before you do.
-Unless of course you just wanted a trick looking speedo in the first place, and if you do that it would have to be calibrated in a shop anyway.
Your hard shifting problem could have a number of causes. Check your fluid first! If it's low, FIND THE LEAK THAT IS CAUSING IT.
This is important because you only have so much trans fluid - and when it gets too low damage can happen very rapidly.
For other causes of hard or late shifting, additional troubleshooting needs to be done.
~Wolf
These are two seperate and destinct problems.
I myself have an old speedo that is fine above 45 mph - but right around thirty it bounces back and forth...
My conclusions are as follows:
Level one (least expensive to check out)
1) Lack of lubrication of the cable. White lithium grease or spray is the choice here, since this is an area that seldom sees any maintenance beyond replacement.
2) A 'kink' in the cable or a pinched spot. This can result from working on the truck, or from something striking the cable while driving. It can also be caused while doing a body lift if the cable is stretched in the process, or catches on the frame.
WORST CASE:
The speedo may be just plain old - but if that is true it shouldn't read at all and/or would be wildly inaccurate.
So the answer is; Clean, inspect, and lubricate the cable first.
If it is damaged replace the sheath and/or the cable (an OEM cable is best, so called "Universal" speedometer cables sometimes won't fit anything. And the cable ends are unreliable)
Only if everything else is working should the guage itself be replaced, and it might be worth the time to have it looked at by a speedometer shop specialist before you do.
-Unless of course you just wanted a trick looking speedo in the first place, and if you do that it would have to be calibrated in a shop anyway.
Your hard shifting problem could have a number of causes. Check your fluid first! If it's low, FIND THE LEAK THAT IS CAUSING IT.
This is important because you only have so much trans fluid - and when it gets too low damage can happen very rapidly.
For other causes of hard or late shifting, additional troubleshooting needs to be done.
~Wolf
