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

Possible wiring issues

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 7, 2023 | 09:21 AM
  #1  
fordbeast1's Avatar
fordbeast1
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
25 Year Member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Possible wiring issues

Well it's probably been over 10 years since I've posted here. I've been having issues with my speedo jumping around. I had the cluster repaired and thought I had the issue solved. So I left work yesterday and the Speedo quit working again. I get home and kinda mess with the wires around the vss sensor. I go to start the truck up, and nothing. It ran a second and spit and sputtered. I noticed the fuel pump wasn't kicking on, and saw the fuel gauge was stuck on high, and the oil and temp gauge were buried the opposite way. So my question is, is there a dead short somewhere for all these gauges to be stuck like that and for my fuel pump to not work anymore? Kind of annoying because all I did was went to swap vss sensors out and then now this. Thanks for any input guys. I still look at this page and it's nice to still see the same names on here. I might mention the truck is a 1996 F150 4x4 with a 351. So it's a rear tank only
 
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2023 | 11:04 AM
  #2  
Prototypemech's Avatar
Prototypemech
Logistics Pro
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 1,199
From: Mojave, Ca
Sounds like you have a bad ground. Check behind the driver's side kick panel for the cab ground. The fuel pump ground is on the radiator support near the driverside head light.

There's another major ground behind the passengers kick panel too that you should check.
you might need to pull the instrument cluster out of your dash and make sure the connector is engaged correctly and none of the pins are falling out.

 
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2023 | 01:02 PM
  #3  
Scndsin's Avatar
Scndsin
FTE Chapter Leader
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,341
Likes: 1,314
From: Central Mississippi
Club FTE Silver Member

Jumping speedo, mess with vss & dies/dead + no pump.

Swear I think you've got separate issues.

Look at the ignition switch (white, rectangular with harness plug, 2 fasteners) at the bottom of steering column for splitting.

I have a selection of 94 up PSOMs that get swapped in for diagnostics like jumping speedos. See if you can source one at a junkyard.

This 96 5.8 is OBD 1 or 2?
 
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2023 | 01:11 PM
  #4  
Prototypemech's Avatar
Prototypemech
Logistics Pro
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 1,199
From: Mojave, Ca
I agree. Two separate problems. Let's focus on the failing fuel pump and bad gauges first.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
1998Ranger25L153CID
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
4
Aug 21, 2021 04:41 PM
kemsley21
Modular V10 (6.8l)
11
Jul 27, 2019 07:49 AM
REDNECKIT
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
4
Jan 22, 2013 05:41 PM
SideWinder4.9l
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Sep 20, 2011 03:10 PM
mike0824
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300
10
Jul 1, 2010 07:20 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:16 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

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


VIEW MORE