Help!! Hard Shifting / Speedometer Jumping
Help!! Hard Shifting / Speedometer Jumping
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Powell River B.C.
You have a bad connection to or a bad vehicle speed sensor, I'm not sure if your year is on the transfer case or on top of the differential. The ones on the diff are also part of the anti-lock brake system.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
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the speedometer is mechanical on the 90 model the sppedo cable is probably binding causing it to jump or the driven gear on the sensor is almost stripped ,being a 4x4 though the gear in the transfer case usually strips first
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: ECWI
ill chime in on the speed sensor... if ur brake light is on, as mentioned above ur speed sensor is on the diff. replace it its cheep and my tach wouldent work till speeds over 33MPH and was not accurat till sensor was replaced
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I already replaced the VSS which was located on the transfer case (4x4 unit) I have order the ABS Speed sensor and will replace that as well. Thanks for all the input
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Still having issues
Changed out both the VSS and ABS Sensors. Things worked fine for a couple days but I'm back to where I was at. Any other ideas?
1. The speed is still jumping, less than before. The plastic gear was not stripped on the VSS.
2. It is not shifting as hard but it still is shifting at high rpms in first and second.
3. The ABS light still comes on.
1. The speed is still jumping, less than before. The plastic gear was not stripped on the VSS.
2. It is not shifting as hard but it still is shifting at high rpms in first and second.
3. The ABS light still comes on.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Powell River B.C.
Corroded connector pins? clean -polish- file, whatever you can to make sure the metal in the connectors is clean. Reassemble connetors with some grease to block moisture and corrossion. Failing that check for a bad section of wire that may have been distrurb when the parts were changed, went back to being bad after "a couple of days".
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,900
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From: Campbell River, B.C.
Its most likely a binding speedo cable. I would pull both ends and check carefully check for evidence of debries in the cable line. It might help to pour some small amount of ATF in the top of the line. Also check to see how smoothly it turns, its almost like a really tight wound spring, so any bind in the cable will easily be amplified by the flexibility of the cable.
After inspecting everything, re-install it with some grease (silicon dielectric, ideally) in the cable connections at each end, it will take up any slack in the connection, and reduce its tendancy to wobble the needle.
After inspecting everything, re-install it with some grease (silicon dielectric, ideally) in the cable connections at each end, it will take up any slack in the connection, and reduce its tendancy to wobble the needle.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Campbell River, B.C.
Two things to try to rule out the machanical side of things.
First, try putting the truck on blocks and put it in drive (just at idle speed should do). have the speedo end of the cable loose, so you can see if it turns smoothly. next, gently hold the cable with your fingers (while still allowing it to turn) as it turns to see if you can feel any binding or scraping in it.
The second thing to try, is to reverse what I just described. have the speedo end installed and hook up the other end to a cordless drill. If the cable ran smooth in the previous test, but the spedo stil jumps, then the problem is likely in the speedo iteslf.
First, try putting the truck on blocks and put it in drive (just at idle speed should do). have the speedo end of the cable loose, so you can see if it turns smoothly. next, gently hold the cable with your fingers (while still allowing it to turn) as it turns to see if you can feel any binding or scraping in it.
The second thing to try, is to reverse what I just described. have the speedo end installed and hook up the other end to a cordless drill. If the cable ran smooth in the previous test, but the spedo stil jumps, then the problem is likely in the speedo iteslf.
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Speedometer still jumping
David,
Well it looks like the plastic gear in the transfer case is striped. Is there a easy way to remove the gear without pulling the transfer case? Could this have been causing my hard shifting issues? I appreciate all your help.
Thanks,
Rob
Well it looks like the plastic gear in the transfer case is striped. Is there a easy way to remove the gear without pulling the transfer case? Could this have been causing my hard shifting issues? I appreciate all your help.
Thanks,
Rob
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Campbell River, B.C.
Yes, that could DEFINATELY cause your problems! The VSS is driven by the tailshaft, and from there, it in turn drives the cable, so both the electronic and mechanical signals are thrown off.
You should have the BW 1356 transfer case in there, same as mine (came from a 1991).
The good news is that if you pop off the tailhousing of the transfercase you should have access to the speedo drive gear, but you will have to drop the rear driveshaft and drain the transfer case first.
Its really easy to swap, theres a small sheet metal clip that holds it (the drive gear) in place, no special tools needed, it comes off by hand. A Ford dealer should have a replacement for you if the parts store doesen't.
You should have the BW 1356 transfer case in there, same as mine (came from a 1991).
The good news is that if you pop off the tailhousing of the transfercase you should have access to the speedo drive gear, but you will have to drop the rear driveshaft and drain the transfer case first.
Its really easy to swap, theres a small sheet metal clip that holds it (the drive gear) in place, no special tools needed, it comes off by hand. A Ford dealer should have a replacement for you if the parts store doesen't.