Speedometer/Odometer Error
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Speedometer/Odometer Error
The odometer and speedometer on my '94 Explorer has always been off since we got it in '97. It reads about 55 at 60 and when 1 mile passes on interstate mile markers, it reads just over 9/10 of a mile, consistently. The tires are the original size, I am pretty sure.
Is there anything that can be done?
Thanks
Is there anything that can be done?
Thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: UT
Change the speedometer gear on the vehicle speed sensor. The gear (if still available, I've heard rumblings that Ford no longer makes them) is easy to change and will cost less than $10 plus a little for an o-ring. What you need to do is remove the vehicle speed sensor from the tailshaft of the transmission (2WD) or transfer case (4WD) and count the teeth on the gear. Then buy a new with as close to 10% (that's about the error in the speedo/odo reading) fewer teeth as you can get (obviously can't get a speedo gear with 18.5 teeth, for example).
Elder User
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From: Cincinnati
They have made the same gear(s) since the sixties (4WD). When I asked for one at the dealer, they asked me if I had an old Comet! First year of design is part of the part number, but they had it in stock. Gears range from 16 to 21 tooth. Count your number first. Dropping 1 tooth raises speed about 5%. example: 55mph X 18 new teeth/19 old teeth = 58 mph
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Cleveland, TN area.
Just replaced the speedometer gear yesterday. Mine was reading 70mph when I was really only going 65 miles. Ford had what I needed.
The information needed by the parts man was how many teeth and the color of the gear. Said 1 tooth was about 3mph.
I had a tan with 19 teeth. Replaced with black with 20 teeth. Speedometer is right on the money now. Easy to replace and only $7.50. Also, now the trans. shifts at the speed it should because the speed sensor works of of the speedometer cable.
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Tom
The information needed by the parts man was how many teeth and the color of the gear. Said 1 tooth was about 3mph.
I had a tan with 19 teeth. Replaced with black with 20 teeth. Speedometer is right on the money now. Easy to replace and only $7.50. Also, now the trans. shifts at the speed it should because the speed sensor works of of the speedometer cable.
______________
Tom
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Man you guys are extremely helpful. I asked the service manager about it and he said, "we have no way to check that." Now I know exactly what to do. I will wait and do it myself. I, too, expect better shift times from OD.
Thanks fellas!
Thanks fellas!
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If its not an electronic trans it will have no effect on the shift points or shift feel of the trans.
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: UT
All the transmissions have some electronic control. '91-'94 A4LD have electronically controlled 3-4 shift and torque converter lockup clutch. '95 and up have all shifts electronically controlled. Unless, of course, it's a manual transmission.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Cleveland, TN area.
mrshorty has it right. 1996 and later models do not use a conventional speedometer cable, they use an electronic speedometer and a Vehicle Speed Sensor. '95 and earlier models use the speedometer cable with the Vehicle Speed Sensor attached just after the cable leaves the case.
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'91 Explorer XLT, 4WD, 4.0L pushrod, A4LD trans.
Tom
__________________________________
'91 Explorer XLT, 4WD, 4.0L pushrod, A4LD trans.
Tom
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Hello again,
I will be looking at replacing the speedo drive gear. Can you tell me exactly where it is and what it looks like? I looked on the back of transfer case and there are a bunch of wires, I think some belong to the 4wd engaging unit. I can see where a cable enters near the top.
Thanks
'94 4WD
I will be looking at replacing the speedo drive gear. Can you tell me exactly where it is and what it looks like? I looked on the back of transfer case and there are a bunch of wires, I think some belong to the 4wd engaging unit. I can see where a cable enters near the top.
Thanks
'94 4WD
Elder User
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From: Cincinnati
Yes, follow the speedometer cable to the top side of the transfer case for the 91-94. Later years do not have the mechanical cable. That mechanical cable will just pull out of the speed sensor although it is tricky to get back in unless you center the metal spring clip. One nut on a side bracket holds the in the speed sensor. The gear is color coded and is held on by another metal clip on the end.
The wires will not be part of the transfer case group.
The wires will not be part of the transfer case group.
Elder User
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From: Cincinnati
The cable only has about a 1/8 squared section on the end. This plugs into the electrical speed sensor. This sensor has a plastic gear on the end of it that mates with the output shaft in the transfer case. These gears are available from 16 to 21 teeth.
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