I need to replace my faulty speed sensor and i wanted to know if i can do it myself. I've had the rear end detached before and was looking at it but couldn't really figure it out. I know where it is but how do i change it, do i just have to go to a ford dealership to get one? Its a 95 F-150 with a 8.8 rear end.

 

Are you having speedometer problems ? Explain what the trouble is you are having .

 

You sure can! There is a single hold-down bolt securing the sensor to the axle housing, and it should be snugged in with an o-ring to seal. Just put a dab of oil on the (new) o-ring when reinstalling. The bolt is torqued to 30 ft-lbs. This is the ABS wheel speed sensor though...if you're having speedometer, not ABS problems, the vehicle speed sensor is located on the transmission case (driver's side I believe) and is also held by a single bolt. Hope this helps.

 

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp P.S. Either sensor is available as an aftermarket piece. I see carparts.com has them, but to save a few bucks you might try your local parts shop. Nothing aftermarket, however, meets the quality of Motorcraft replacement parts (ask me how I know this). Get it from the dealer if you value quality and don't mind spending a bit extra.

 

well this is the problem. My speedo needle bounces a lot, if i'm going 30 it will bounce between 25-40 sometimes, usually just boucing + or - 5 mph. I have a mazda 5 speed and when i would start off, the engine seemed to have a dead spot at like 2-3 mph where it wouldn't run, wanted to stall, but only in that 2-3 mph other then that, it ran fine. Pulled the codes and got that the speed sensor was telling the computer that i'm going between 130-180 mph when i'm only going 2-3 mph so it was hitting the speed limiter. Also, when i was on the highway, the needle would bounce from 70 to 90 and hit the speed limiter, my top speed is 65 w/o hitting the speed limiter. So i unplugged the speed sensor from the top of the differencial and it stopped all of that and has been fine. The weird thing was that when this first started happening, it would bounce maybe 50% of the time i drove it, and now its all the time. When i got the truck last year it didnt do it but it would bounce a tad above 65 so i didnt think anything of it. So since i unplugged the speed sensor and its been fine, i figure its the speed sensor and it needs to be replaced. Any other thoughts?

 

Those are the same symptoms I had when my sensor on the differential went out. Spedo bouncing around every once in awhile but mostly OK. It also caused my cruise control to stop working. The bouncing problem eventually gets worse and sooner or later it will set teh ABS warning light.

The fix in my case was to have the sensor replaced. Unfortuantely I foolishly let the dealer do it since I had a couple of other things I wanted them to do and was too lazy to tackle. The dealer charged something like $60 to replace the sensor. It is a $12 part and should take maybe 10 minutes to remove and replace, an easy job.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

Awesome, yeah i figured it was the sensor. Is it just one bolt that holds it it, just unbolt it and it pulls out?