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1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series All Ford Ranger and Mazda B-Series models

Speedometer

Old Mar 14, 2015 | 08:14 AM
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Speedometer

My speedometer and odometer works sometimes and then quits,I have replaced odometer worm gear and the vs on transfer case ,but it still won't work. Does anyone know what might be wrong, and how many speed sensors my truck has on it. It is a 97 ranger 4x4 automatic 5 r55 e trans
 
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Old Mar 14, 2015 | 10:10 AM
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The speed-o is electrically operated, using the rear differential mounted ABS speed sensors PID output to the computer. The ABS, auto tranny, cruise control also use this PID, so if any of those other things are acting out, put the rear ABS speed sensor, its wiring, or electrical connector/pins/sockets high up on your suspect list. The sensor it mounted in the front top of the rear differential case. You can get at it from the drivers side. One electrical connector, one 10mm fastener holding it down at 25-29ft/lbs, one "O" ring seal around the sensor body. Clean off debris before removing, so none fall into the differential lube & contaminate it.
It's a common problem part & if it, the wiring, or electrical connector are bad, you should have a CEL lit & a trouble code clue stored in the engine computer.
If you don't have a scantool to scan the computer for code clues, most autoparts stores will do it at no cost if the CEL is lit, some will scan if your having problems without a lit CEL.
Some thoughts for consideration, let us know how it goes.
 
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Old Mar 14, 2015 | 01:16 PM
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Speed sensor

I believe this model does not rely on the abs sensor for speedometer, I think it is for models 98 and up that does
 
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Old Mar 14, 2015 | 02:03 PM
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Don't know if this will help or not, but on a 97 Explorer 5R55E the speedometer/cruise control VSS plugs into the drivers side of the transmission tail shaft.
 
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Old Mar 14, 2015 | 02:46 PM
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Speedometer

Originally Posted by 87 XLT
Don't know if this will help or not, but on a 97 Explorer 5R55E the speedometer/cruise control VSS plugs into the drivers side of the transmission tail shaft.
yes I know but I changed it but still nothing,I just hooked a drill to sensor ,with it out of trans,but still nothing I am thinking maybe cluster bad,but I don't know if the odometer and speedometer work at same time are not
 
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Old Mar 14, 2015 | 04:00 PM
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Yeah the speedo & odometer use the same speed signal. If the slugomatic is shifting properly & the cruise control is working it does sound like a cluster problem.

Just talked to my BIL, he owns an auto parts store & he tells me that Dorman sells reman clusters & they will program in the correct mileage.
 
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Old Mar 14, 2015 | 04:44 PM
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Would the ABS sensor have anything to do with this? The ABS light is not on.
 
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Old Mar 14, 2015 | 05:47 PM
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No the ABS wont have anything to do with this.

Looks like a wiring problem or bad cluster.

It's a long shot, but take a look at the fuse list in your owners manual & make sure any fuse that's listed as speedometer or instrument cluster is solid in it's mount. Since it's intermittent you might get lucky and find a loose fuse. It's barely possible.

Theres an independent mom & pop speedometer repair shop near me, and if I couldn't find the problem myself i'd take it there and let them worry about it.
 
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Old Mar 15, 2015 | 10:54 AM
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It's probably the same problem I had in our 96 T-bird...........I had to replace tiny plastic gears in the speedometer that are driven by the tiny electric motor........or you may have to replace the entire speedometer with a J-yard unit.
 
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