2004 F250 Crewcab 4x4 5.4 automatic.

My speedometer quit working - stays on 0, my odometer stays on 271006.5 miles. Everything lights up, when I do a gauge sweep, the speedometer goes from 0 to full blast then back to zero. On the gauge sweep, my odometer states off all the code stuff like I think it's suppose to.

Anyway, I was lucky enough to get a speeding ticket - driving with the flow of traffic, with the police officer behind me for a mile or more. Pulls me over, explain my speedo just went out, he said he can't let me off but the judge might. So I'm trying to fix prior to a court date.

Here is what I have tried so far. Dealer wanted $1000 plus to send off the speedometer. Instead, I have tried the following;

1. Replaced the VSS in the axle - no change to problem.
2. Replaced the sensors on top of the tranny (2 of them) - no change in problem.
3. Sent the cluster off to a repair shop - they said it worked when it left there shop - no change in problem.
4. Replaced the battery - thought it might have a dead cell. - no change in problem.
5. Unhooked the battery, turned on the headlights, waited 30 minutes, put it back together. (did this probably 5 times) - no change in the problem.
6. Replaced the diff fluid. - no change in problem.
7. Replaced the front left abs sensor on the hub - the existing wire looked like it had rubbed on metal - possible short? - no change in problem.

So far I've just been what seems to be time and money at it with no luck.

I have read thru several posts on here that seam similar, but I've done what was recommended and still no speedo. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

 

Do you have a Check Engine Light illuminated?

 

No check engine light at all. I have had it come on since, but it was for an O2 sensor that I replaced.

I did try to do the gauge sweep last night again, started driving thought the odometer would show me the speed, but it didn't - it just showed "888,888.8" all of the other toggles I could see what the number or code was, temp, trans temp, etc.

This thing is driving me nuts!

 

Not sure if this is related, but my seat belt warning dinger doesn't come on anymore either. The idiot light on the cluster lights up, but no chime.

Just throwing info out there.

 

I would start by checking fuses 35 and 41, both related to the instrument cluster.

 

I will try that out this evening.

thanks,

 

I checked the fuses, along with the fuses for the abs - all were good.

I also tried the cruise control, it works too.

This is nuts. Any other suggestions?

 

A little before the speedometer stopped working, I did change spark plugs and coils. I went with motorcraft plugs and accel coils. I think my alternator went out around then too. Not sure if that has anything to do with it or is helpful in anyway, just wanted to throw everything out on the table.

 

When my 07 F150 alternator went out the gauges would stop working once the battery was depleted enough. They came back with a fresh battery and new alternator though. Sounds like you have a difficult problem.

 

I had the alternator checked this weekend, they said it was good. could it be good enough to charge, but bad enough to throw things out of wack?

Also, I get some starter drag every once in a while. could it be the starter messing with the electronics?

 

My front left hub assembly has been making a little dull noise lately, could something inside it be broke that the abs sensor needs to read off of?

 

No I do not think so. I believe it gets it signal from the VSS that you replaced in already in the rear axle. I am not a professional by any means but here are my two thoughts.
- The vss you bought was bad from the store.
- You have a bad ground somewhere.

 

Ok, thanks. I've replaced the vss twice, thinking I may have bought a bad one. still no luck.

I guess it's time to start chasing wires.

 

I have an 04 with the 6.0. Did you ever fix your problem? 2 vss sensors and a pigtail later still nothing

 

Have you checked for codes? The places that read codes free CANNOT read these codes. You need either a Forscan, a good independent shop, or a Ford dealer to read them.