Speedo, overdrive, ABS problems!
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Speedo, overdrive, ABS problems!
hi all, i did a search for a few of the problem i have been experiencing but only came up with a few good results. so, here goes.
my 93 RWD aerostar has been having some speedo problems. sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. as a result, the overdrive only works when the speedo does. the rear abs was also intermittent for a few weeks, now it's completely non-functional.
i changed the oil this weekend and had planned on checking the speedo cable (as recommended by haynes) but found that my van does not run it's speedo on a cable. checked the forums and found that its actually a speed sensor on the rear end.
i checked all the fuses on the panel under the dash and all looks good. can anyone tell me what i should be looking for on the rear end? do i have to completely dismantle the rear to check/repair this problem? is it a one person job?
thanks!
my 93 RWD aerostar has been having some speedo problems. sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. as a result, the overdrive only works when the speedo does. the rear abs was also intermittent for a few weeks, now it's completely non-functional.
i changed the oil this weekend and had planned on checking the speedo cable (as recommended by haynes) but found that my van does not run it's speedo on a cable. checked the forums and found that its actually a speed sensor on the rear end.
i checked all the fuses on the panel under the dash and all looks good. can anyone tell me what i should be looking for on the rear end? do i have to completely dismantle the rear to check/repair this problem? is it a one person job?
thanks!
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Houston,TX
Welcome Back Cagedriver!
there should be a wiring harness that runs to the top of the differential housing (sometimes refered to as a "pumpkin") just above the drive shaft. this is the wiring for the speed sensor that controls the ABS or RABSII for the aero. it appears the speed sensor itself is located externally, where that harness plugs into it.as far as checking it, the RABSII does a self check and any faults are stored in memory. these can be pulled with any code reader.
my advice....pull those codes and post back with them. BTW if you don't have a code reader, autozone will pull them for free. not sure who else will, but you can always ask. better than just throwing parts at the old girl.
there should be a wiring harness that runs to the top of the differential housing (sometimes refered to as a "pumpkin") just above the drive shaft. this is the wiring for the speed sensor that controls the ABS or RABSII for the aero. it appears the speed sensor itself is located externally, where that harness plugs into it.as far as checking it, the RABSII does a self check and any faults are stored in memory. these can be pulled with any code reader.
my advice....pull those codes and post back with them. BTW if you don't have a code reader, autozone will pull them for free. not sure who else will, but you can always ask. better than just throwing parts at the old girl.
Last edited by xuzme720; Oct 18, 2005 at 09:40 AM.
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From: Mitchell, SD
I would say that your speed sensor is on its way out. It is a wear part like plugs and O2s. Fairly easy to replace, X told you where it was, once replaced, your speedo will work and your rabs will work again too.
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thanks xuzme720,
i'll get under there tonight to see what i can find out. i do have a handheld scanner, but it's for my girlfriend's saturn (GM). i might have to swing by the auto parts store to see if they have a ford scanner.
i'll get under there tonight to see what i can find out. i do have a handheld scanner, but it's for my girlfriend's saturn (GM). i might have to swing by the auto parts store to see if they have a ford scanner.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 560
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From: Houston,TX
actually 93's right as well....they are a replacement item, so just replacing it should work. I was only trying to make sure you didn't have some other, less obvious, problem first. depending on cost and availabilty, it might be easier to forgo the codes. it does sound like the speed sensor.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Lanham,MD
Been there done that, it was the speedometer. I changed all 3 speed sensors on my 95 and it still did that so I replaced the speedometer from the junk yard with close to the same mileage 240,000. Shifts, idle and works now.
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Elder User
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From: Houston,TX
hmmm...never would have thought about the speedo..never even mentioned it in the tech CD. thanks for the info B.
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From: Mitchell, SD
Originally Posted by B-Aerostar
Been there done that, it was the speedometer. I changed all 3 speed sensors on my 95 and it still did that so I replaced the speedometer from the junk yard with close to the same mileage 240,000. Shifts, idle and works now.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Houston,TX
I would tend to agree. just never heard of the cluster causing that, any more than brake lights causing RABS to fail(which mine did when I put in those led lamps, also killed the cruise, until I swapped back). any new info is always a good thing in my book.
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&$%@ parts stores!
i located and removed the sensor on top of the pumpkin this evening. no problem. so, now knowing what i hsould be looking for i decided to go to the parts store to purchase the new sensor.
well, that's where the trouble started. after going to four different stores, they all thought i was nuts and that i had no idea what i was talking about. they all had the same part, the sensor unit that mounts in the tranny housing as on the earlier models. they would hand me the part, i would say no this isn't it, this is for a different set-up, they would say that's what the computer told them to pull. so, i said check to see it's called an abs sensor. only pepboys' computers listed anything, but the part had to be ordered and i wanted to see it first to make sure it was right.
i know the unit i pulled out of the pumpkin this evening is correct, kind of a large metal bung with an electrical connection at the other end and held in place by one screw.
any ideas on where i can actually buy one of these things?
i located and removed the sensor on top of the pumpkin this evening. no problem. so, now knowing what i hsould be looking for i decided to go to the parts store to purchase the new sensor.
well, that's where the trouble started. after going to four different stores, they all thought i was nuts and that i had no idea what i was talking about. they all had the same part, the sensor unit that mounts in the tranny housing as on the earlier models. they would hand me the part, i would say no this isn't it, this is for a different set-up, they would say that's what the computer told them to pull. so, i said check to see it's called an abs sensor. only pepboys' computers listed anything, but the part had to be ordered and i wanted to see it first to make sure it was right.
i know the unit i pulled out of the pumpkin this evening is correct, kind of a large metal bung with an electrical connection at the other end and held in place by one screw.
any ideas on where i can actually buy one of these things?
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Lanham,MD
Mine didn't show any codes just kept stalling when trying to park. And the speedometer would jump around. The transmission wouldn't shift and low on power. The speedometer does house a small computer (psom module). I guess thats the reason it cost $300.00 from the dealer. I got mine from the junk yard for $20.00 and now now it runs great, no stalling and perfect shifting.
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