Hello all, I have a 97 Ranger. The speedo quits working after about 5 miles into a trip. Works fine, bounces up and down then drops to Zero! The odometer quits turning as well. Any suggestions on a quick, cheap fix? Or is the best alternative to replace the whole thing? Any suggestions would be helpful, Thanks, Joe

 

Sounds like a bad abs/speed sensor in the rear diff. Easy to change, and about $23 from your Ford dealer.

 

Well, I had hoped it would be that easy, but I have already changed that with no change in symtoms. Thanks though, Joe

 

Well, Strike Two. I changed the speedometer cluster and still the same problem. I don't know where to look next. Should I start with the wiring? I have checked the fuses, the are all good. Later, Joe

 

Well if I would have listened to bob I would have saved $180.00. I had changed the sensor on the tranny not the one on the diff. Stupid me!!! Anyway I think I have the problem fixed. I appriciate your response's and find this forum as a good resource. Thanks again, Joe

 

You are welcome Joe, thanks for the update post that you got it fixed!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

 

Well I hoped to have fixed the problem, but on my 20 mile trip to work I got 3 mile from work and it bounced up and down again, then stayed all the way down. So now I'm back at square one. Any suggestions? I was also pondering on my way home, could it be that I need to change the rear end fluid? Flush the tranny? Track down the electrical end of it? This is what I have done so far, I changed the VSS on the trans, The speedometer cluster, and last but not least I changed the ABS speed sensor in the rear end. The truck has been good to me but I'm getting frustrated. It's a 2.3 4 banger, 4X2 5 speed, 113,000. Well any help would be great!!!! Thanks in advance, Joe

 

A couple possibilities:

1) Connector on the rear ABS sensor wasn't properly seated - try reseating connector

2) New sensor was defective - return it for a replacement

 

Sounds more electrical then physical. maybe, though it could be expensive, this is an early waring of something major. does it go away once you shut the truck down or does it need to sit a little while?