Odometer runs backwards
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 46
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From: Central AZ
Odometer runs backwards
The 78 4x4 is road worthy now. Had to have it appraised for the Insurance Co. So we drove it, with my 19 yr old daughter piloting, to get it appraised. Put 20 miles on it. Come to find out that the odometer runs backwards, continually from 9 around to 0. Now what? This machine has been a struggle from the first day. It doesn't help that the mechanic, me, is 73 yrs old. I just don't bend it the needed positions. Speedometer works just fine. I must assume that the cable is spinning in the correct direction.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 2,766
Likes: 319
From: Mississippi
Well..... I guess it is getting younger everyday!
How can an odometer run backward?
If the cable is plugged in to the odometer the other end is in the tranny..... ????
You got me...
I never heard of such....
How can an odometer run backward?
If the cable is plugged in to the odometer the other end is in the tranny..... ????
You got me...
I never heard of such....
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 322
From: Central Florida
When you get the definitive answer as to what is causing this to happen, please share that here. Many of us want to replicate your problem ;-)
So if it's just a matter of left-hand vs right-hand gears, you may have discovered the dent side equivalent of the fountain of youth.
Of course the 99K odometers on our trucks are pretty much meaningless by today's standards. An 80K reading can mean 80K or 180K or 280K or 380K or even more. I guess that the engineers of that day couldn't imagine a car or truck lasting more than 100K miles. Or perhaps the marketing folks of that era weren't as savvy (or dishonest) as their modern counterparts. 8-)
So if it's just a matter of left-hand vs right-hand gears, you may have discovered the dent side equivalent of the fountain of youth.
Of course the 99K odometers on our trucks are pretty much meaningless by today's standards. An 80K reading can mean 80K or 180K or 280K or 380K or even more. I guess that the engineers of that day couldn't imagine a car or truck lasting more than 100K miles. Or perhaps the marketing folks of that era weren't as savvy (or dishonest) as their modern counterparts. 8-)
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 46
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From: Central AZ
Ahh So, I have discovered the issue. This truck has a speedometer that shows 100 mph. It should be 80 mph. Looks like the PO changed the speedometer.
Am I on the right page? Bronco Graveyard has one for $120.00
Lesson learned, the earlier than 1977 1/2 runs the opposite direction.
Am I on the right page? Bronco Graveyard has one for $120.00
Lesson learned, the earlier than 1977 1/2 runs the opposite direction.
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Joe Kucinski
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Easy to swap from one to the other, I've never heard of (on here) that there it a drive direction difference between the 80/100 MPH gauge, guess there could be. Funny that the PO never mentioned an issue like that huh? Before I'd spend that kind of $ I'd want to locate a way cheaper replacement and see if that fixes the issue.
Maybe you can source just the center speedo gauge and put that in you current cluster? I'd also check the headlight high beam location to make sure the 80/100 is the same.
A lot of speedo discussion here. Post #20 talks about getting a used one and there are options on what vehicles have them.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ometers-3.html
Maybe you can source just the center speedo gauge and put that in you current cluster? I'd also check the headlight high beam location to make sure the 80/100 is the same.
A lot of speedo discussion here. Post #20 talks about getting a used one and there are options on what vehicles have them.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ometers-3.html
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 2,766
Likes: 319
From: Mississippi
I am still confused as to HOW this could happen....
The ODO running backward means the speedo part would peg HARD below zero.... right?
That would mean the speedo cable was spinning backward?
SO..... did you watch this ODO as it traveled backward?
And while it was going backward, the speedo was sitting at zero?
For the gear on one piece to be in the opposite, pitch that would mean the gears would not mesh either in the tranny or the back of the speedo.....
I just don't see how just replacing the speedo with a 100 MPH meter would make it run backward.
I always thought the used car salesman had to put a reversible drill on the cable to "turn back the mileage".... LOL.
Mike
The ODO running backward means the speedo part would peg HARD below zero.... right?
That would mean the speedo cable was spinning backward?
SO..... did you watch this ODO as it traveled backward?
And while it was going backward, the speedo was sitting at zero?
For the gear on one piece to be in the opposite, pitch that would mean the gears would not mesh either in the tranny or the back of the speedo.....
I just don't see how just replacing the speedo with a 100 MPH meter would make it run backward.
I always thought the used car salesman had to put a reversible drill on the cable to "turn back the mileage".... LOL.
Mike
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,302
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From: Burlington, WI
It might be a year thing, but I've swapped back and forth between an 80mph and 100mph speedo and never had that happen.
My guess is that somebody had it apart at some time to clean it and rebuilt it backwards.
My guess is that somebody had it apart at some time to clean it and rebuilt it backwards.