Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Cruise / Speedometer Issue

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 22, 2016 | 06:24 PM
  #1  
62FE4x4's Avatar
62FE4x4
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 470
Likes: 1
Cruise / Speedometer Issue

I just got new wheels and tires on my 96 F350. After the work has been done I noticed my speedometer is jumping all over the place and my cruise control no longer stays engaged after you let off the Set Accel button. I thought it was a bad speed / abs sensor they put in at the tire shop, but after putting a second one in that didn't help either. This 96 doesn't have a cruise control module like my 1985 does. I am stumped. Any and all suggestions will be welcome!
 
Reply
Old May 23, 2016 | 10:21 AM
  #2  
subford's Avatar
subford
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,667
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
Why did the tire shop put a new speed / abs sensor in in the first place?
About the only thing that can go wrong with the speed / abs sensor is it may loose a little magnetism over time.
If you have the one they took out you might try putting it back in as the old ones are better than the new ones most of the time.
Other than that you may have some bearing problems in the rear end or a bad plug and wiring to the speed / abs sensor (VSS).
 
Reply
Old May 23, 2016 | 10:38 AM
  #3  
62FE4x4's Avatar
62FE4x4
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 470
Likes: 1
The ABS light was on. That was the reason for the replacement. Unfortunately the tech broke the locking tabs on the hardshell in his haste. I am headed to Ford to pick up a new hardshell now.
 
Reply
Old May 23, 2016 | 11:04 AM
  #4  
subford's Avatar
subford
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,667
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
If the speedometer was working OK and the needle was steady before he changed the VSS the VSS was OK. He should not have changed VSS for a ABS light on in that case.
I am guessing the ABS light is still on.
 
Reply
Old May 23, 2016 | 11:15 AM
  #5  
62FE4x4's Avatar
62FE4x4
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 470
Likes: 1
No ABS light went off when the sensor was changed
 
Reply
Old May 24, 2016 | 06:07 PM
  #6  
62FE4x4's Avatar
62FE4x4
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 470
Likes: 1
Well I installed a new Speed sensor from Ford, as well as the pigtail/harness that goes to the sensor. I soldered it, went together fine, and that seemed to eliminate that part of it. The wiring harness was in rough shape like someone had just pulled on it at some point without even bothering to unlock the tabs. No more jittering speedometer, and the cruise is working fine again.

Eighteen hours later a different issue started. Ever so often the ABS light comes on and flashed 15 times then stops. This appears to be a different issue altogether. Any ideas?
 
Reply
Old May 24, 2016 | 08:39 PM
  #7  
Lead Head's Avatar
Lead Head
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,868
Likes: 9
From: Rhode Island
Check your fuses and brake lights. Sometimes those can go cause weird issues with the ABS computer.
 
Reply
Old May 24, 2016 | 09:17 PM
  #8  
62FE4x4's Avatar
62FE4x4
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 470
Likes: 1
I checked those fuses first thing. All was well
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 24, 2016 | 10:16 PM
  #9  
subford's Avatar
subford
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,667
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
There is not a code 15 for the RABS. Try counting the flashes again.
 
Reply
Old May 24, 2016 | 11:30 PM
  #10  
62FE4x4's Avatar
62FE4x4
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 470
Likes: 1
16 blinks. Then there is a 2 second pause before it starts all over again
 
Reply
Old May 25, 2016 | 06:33 AM
  #11  
subford's Avatar
subford
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,667
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
Description

Code 16 is always present, unless a system concern has been detected and a diagnostic trouble code has been stored. This code should be used by the technician to verify that the RABS II system is OK.

Code 16 will be output by the anti-lock electronic control unit when one of two conditions exist:

1. The technician ground Circuit 571 (BK/O).

2. The RABS II Keep Alive Memory (KAM) fuse has blown.

If the KAM fuse has blown, the REAR ABS warning light will begin flashing Code 16 (or a diagnostic trouble code if a concern has been detected) if the stoplight switch is depressed (F-Series), or the running lamps are turned on (Econoline).

Therefore, check the KAM fuse when diagnosing complaints of REAR ABS light flashing.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
huckster
Excursion - King of SUVs
7
May 21, 2018 09:27 AM
bigpowerstroke
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
3
Nov 8, 2010 12:27 PM
lee231
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
3
Aug 16, 2009 09:37 PM
daveinliberty
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
2
Oct 1, 2008 06:52 AM
stevenbhenry
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
4
Oct 2, 2007 10:05 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:47 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE