I have a 1998 Ranger with a 4.0 engine, auto trans. The speedometer quit working after 5 or so miles on the way to work. When I left work the speedo started working for a few miles, then quit. Please help. Does anyone have an idea what could be wrong? My repair manual does not help. Thanks Thomaswh3

 

Welcome to FTE!!!

The most common cause is the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) but you normally have problems with the ABS (light on) and shifting problems with the auto tranny. The VSS is on top of the rear, cheap and easy to replace.

 

Thanks for the info. Iwill try the sensor this weekend.

 

Thomas, it probably is the speed sensor, but why not run this ride by your favorite autoparts store first & have a no cost computer scan for trouble codes done & see if it's unhappy with the speed sensor's output, before throwing $20 or so at it.

If it's bad, then lay out your gold.

 

Thanks for the advice. I will stop by autozone this weekend.

 

Three other clues or indicators of a faulty speed sensor output, would be the ABS light on, the cruise control inoperative, or intermittently dropping out & the tranny shifting acting up, as these systems along with the speedometer use the VSS output in their operational control.

Just some more possibilities for consideration in your troubleshooting quiver.

Let us know what you find.

 

Changed speed sensor, Ford part, did not help. I took it to the dealer and was told that it was the speedo head. They wanted $700 to replace it with a new one. I am trying to find one in a salvage yard. Thanks for the advice.

 

Let us know if that works. I have the exact same problem with my '96.

Does your odometer stop working too?

I've replaced the speed sensor, and the little plastic gear on the end of the VSS. There is no speedo cable, even though the guy at Autozone tried to sell me one. I'm completely at a loss as to what to do next.

 

After I drive 5 to 7 miles my speedo drops to zero. There is a speedometer repair shop in my town. I talked to the service guy and was told that was a common problem with Rangers? He said that they stock replacements. If I take out my instrument cluster and take it to him they will replace it for $180.00. I bought one at a salvage yard for $25.00 I am going to try it myself.

 

You bought the entire instrument cluster? Or just the speedo part?

My entire instrument panel is one big circuitboard.

 

I Replaced just the speedo head. The problem is still there. I took my gauges and speedo-tach and put them in a used instrument cluster. That seems to have fixed my problem. When it would get hot from driving 5 to 10 miles something was breaking down and my speedo would stop working.