96 B4000 Speedometer erratic

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 22, 2003 | 08:37 AM

mikejk

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 10

Likes: 0

From: NEPA

96 B4000 Speedometer erratic

Hi all, Just came across this site. it has been a big help. Anyway heres the issue My 96 B4000 5speed has a jumping sppeometer I am not sure if it has a cable or a sensor. Looking at other post tried disconnecting the rear diff sensor all that did was disable my ABS but speedometer still worked and jumped I found another sensor off the drivers side of tranny(plug looked like the one off the rear diff) disconnected it but still had speedometer jumping? there is another wire/cable on the driver side of tranny with a protective cover over it so I cant get a good look at it plus I cant figure out how to disconnect it if It is a cable I would like to pull it so I can get some grease into it, if it's another sensor I would like
to replace it. Any info would be gr8ly appreciated. -mike

Oct 22, 2003 | 02:04 PM

Rockledge

Post Fiend

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 9,748

Likes: 16

From: Connecticut

Hi, welcome to FTE!

On your '96, the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) is NOT the same thing as the rear ABS sensor (unlike on my '98).

So, you are looking in the right place for the VSS ...it's on your transmission in the area that you found a sensor.

I would still have to think it's your VSS, even though unplugging it did nothing. But you might want to wait for another opinion...

Oct 23, 2003 | 07:18 AM

mikejk

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 10

Likes: 0

From: NEPA

I disconnected both sensors (tranny and rear) took it for a ride the speedometer was still jumping the only thing different was the ABS light was on. I think both sensors I disconnected were for the ABS. So I think either there is another sensor somewhere on the tranny or the cable described in the first post is a spedo cable and I cant get it off to test it.??

Oct 28, 2003 | 04:38 AM

mikejk

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 10

Likes: 0

From: NEPA

Bump.

Oct 28, 2003 | 10:18 AM

Ken00

Post Fiend

Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 10,562

Likes: 4

From: South Jersey

Does anyone know the location of the VSS on the 96 tranny?

I don't believe the 96s used a cable but if they did you would see it coming out of the tranny on the drivers side.

Oct 28, 2003 | 04:08 PM

87 XLT

Postmaster

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 4,516

Likes: 1

From: SoCal

If your cruise control is working normally my guess would be that the VSS plugs into the side of the trans & the cable you see is plugged into the VSS & is the speedometer cable.
This is how it is on my 95 Taurus anway. When the speedo needle was jumping & making a whirring noise I took it to a speedometer repair shop and they replaced the needle shaft bushing/jewel for 120 bucks. The guy told me that this is a VERY common problem on mid 90's Fords

Oct 29, 2003 | 07:05 AM

mikejk

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 10

Likes: 0

From: NEPA

It must be a cable comming off the tranny. The next question is how do I disconnect it from the tranny to test it? I cannot see any type of threads or anything to grab on to with a wrench?