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Speedometer not working

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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 05:43 PM
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Speedometer not working

Speedometer doesn't work, occasionally will come on for a while, but then stops working again. Cruise stopped working at the same time...

Search tool lead me to a few posts... Seems like most likely suspect would be the ABS speed control on the real differential? Any reason why this wouldn't be the case in my application? 1995 E-350 w/ 4.9 I6. Think it only has front ABS, if that matters?

Thank you very much in advance.
 
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 08:02 PM
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Hi Fletch,
Welcome to the forums.

I moved your post, as it is not at all engine related.
Best of luck!
 
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 08:06 PM
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Thanks, much appreciated. Still learning about all the sub forums. :-)
 
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 10:28 PM
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Do you have a manual ?
 
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Old Mar 6, 2015 | 06:06 AM
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The ABS rear center differential sensor is for the ABS only---it doesn't interact with the speedo.

You may need to look a the vehicle speed control sensors. I'm not familiar with your year chassis or drivetrain so can't help beyond suggesting the VSS may be the issue.
 
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Old Mar 6, 2015 | 08:30 AM
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Originally Posted by JWA
The ABS rear center differential sensor is for the ABS only---it doesn't interact with the speedo.

You may need to look a the vehicle speed control sensors. I'm not familiar with your year chassis or drivetrain so can't help beyond suggesting the VSS may be the issue.
Incorrect.

For the '92 - '96 era, the Rear Center Differential Sensor controls not only the rear only ABS, but also the speedometer and shifting points in the E4OD.

As OP stated, the speedometer works and stops working, and the first step is to replace the differential speed sensor first. If problem continues, then there could be a wire defect from the sensor back to the dash, unlikely.
Changing out this sensor, should restore the speedometer, and the cruse control.
 
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Old Mar 6, 2015 | 04:10 PM
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Thank you Wildman, much appreciated. No haven't yet secured a chiltons/haines... definitely on my "to do" list.
 
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Old Mar 6, 2015 | 07:16 PM
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No problem, just want to steer you in the right direction

Were talking about a <$20 part, and worth the investment for a quick and easy fix to your original problem.

Now everyone is going to Blast you to get Factory Service Manual

That's fine if you intend to work on All items, All the time, and more than one in era vehicle.

I have both, FSM for some vehicles I own/work on, and Haynes books for the most part, and the Haynes will provide you with the basic info needed for service/repairs, and then with this "internet" thing that might/might not last, you can always find the More Advance Info you need at that time.
 
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Old Mar 6, 2015 | 08:07 PM
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Originally Posted by FletchBzmMT
No haven't yet secured a chiltons/haines... definitely on my "to do" list.
I'd forget anything but a factory manual
you can get them on EBAY in a CD format for cheap
 
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Old Mar 7, 2015 | 06:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Wildman25
Incorrect.

For the '92 - '96 era, the Rear Center Differential Sensor controls not only the rear only ABS, but also the speedometer and shifting points in the E4OD.

.
My bad----but I did say I'm not familiar with that chassis?! Good catch Wildman---glad to have someone here who better understands those years.

Originally Posted by vettex2
I'd forget anything but a factory manual
you can get them on EBAY in a CD format for cheap
Yep, yep, yep and hell yep on this---Chilton/Haines tend to be pretty worthless for more things.

The only issue with OEM/Factory manuals on CD-ROM's is they become outdated and supposedly can no longer be read due a computer's internal clock. I'm sure there are work arounds for that but I don't know what they are.

At any rate though the Factory stuff in printed form especially EVTM's are extremely helpful and well worth their cost.
 
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Old Mar 7, 2015 | 09:50 AM
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you have to make sure not to get the "clocked" edition
I have them for each of my vehicles
 
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Old Mar 8, 2015 | 06:45 AM
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Originally Posted by vettex2
you have to make sure not to get the "clocked" edition
I have them for each of my vehicles
Interesting---how do we know or obtain one of those versions? Most I've seen being sold through eBay specifically mention the issue of repeatedly changing the host computers clock in order to use them.

I have two that won't run in Win7, have to use my XP Pro machine or Virtual XP mode in Win7---both quite a hassle.

Personally I'd buy them for everything I own if I knew how to identify those with the built-in expiration date already there.
 
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Old Mar 8, 2015 | 08:31 AM
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Wow, all kinds of interesting going on here!

Thanks for pointing that out JWA. I know now to tread carefully when looking for mine.

And Wildman25's comment about this internet thing not lasting? I'm obviously out of the loop on some things.
 
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Old Mar 8, 2015 | 12:51 PM
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Originally Posted by JWA
Interesting---how do we know or obtain one of those versions? Most I've seen being sold through eBay specifically mention the issue of repeatedly changing the host computers clock in order to use them.

I have two that won't run in Win7, have to use my XP Pro machine or Virtual XP mode in Win7---both quite a hassle.

Personally I'd buy them for everything I own if I knew how to identify those with the built-in expiration date already there.
The description of my cd said it wasn't clocked.I didn't even know about the clock issue when I looked for mine. I just read the descriptions and figured non-clocked was what made sense.I just checked my ebay purchase history and the seller no longer sells. I think some offer a program to fool the CD. I vaguely remember reading that is some of the descriptions.

Oh well , it was good while it lasted. FYI: My GM CD's don't have the clock issue either but they are old.
 
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Old Mar 8, 2015 | 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by VannerDude
Wow, all kinds of interesting going on here!

Thanks for pointing that out JWA. I know now to tread carefully when looking for mine.

And Wildman25's comment about this internet thing not lasting? I'm obviously out of the loop on some things.

I do hope you know I was only joking about that.......don't you???

I've been on this internet thing since 1995, right after Al Gore invented it.

There was a phase back in the '90's that the internet wouldn't last all that long, kind of like Beta tapes, and 8-tracks, ya know.......Now it's like it's everywhere, even on cell phones, I think it will out last Al Gore........


And now.........back to the OP's question.........did it work???? What ya find out???
 
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