Starter change gone weird...Help!
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Starter change gone weird...Help!
Hey guys, I haven't posted in a while but I need a little help. I just replaced the starter on my 98 Ranger 3.0 XLT Auto. All went well and the truck started right up. Well I decided to take it for a ride. After a short while the ABS light came on and the O/D Off light started flashing. I noticed that it was shifting really hard as well. I went right home, disconnected the batt, and began inspecting the wiring around the area I was working thinking that I must have knocked something loose or off while I was changing the starter. All looks well, I'm at a loss. I checked the fuses, all was well there. Can this "new" (remanufactured) starter be the cause of these problems? I'm at a complete loss. Any ideas? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Happy Easter to all.
Happy Easter to all.
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Here's more clues..Speedometer not working. Also getting a P0500 code.
Spent some time Searching for answers. Found some ideas on how to fix this problem on this site. I'm going to swap out the VSS tomorrow morning. I will post my results. This site Rocks!!!
Spent some time Searching for answers. Found some ideas on how to fix this problem on this site. I'm going to swap out the VSS tomorrow morning. I will post my results. This site Rocks!!!
Last edited by nd925; Apr 12, 2009 at 07:29 PM. Reason: New Info
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,461
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From: Abilene Kansas
starter is not cause of any issues. your vss might not even help, but you can try.
it might fix the speedo and still leave a hard shift, but it might fix. easy and cheap fix either way
Matt
it might fix the speedo and still leave a hard shift, but it might fix. easy and cheap fix either way
Matt
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: suburban atlanta
Did you remove any of the wires from the solenoid mounted on the inner fender? Some of them are fusible link power feeds, and for sure, one of them goes to the fuse box. Make sure that they make good contact with the + cable from the battery.
If you caused a spark at any time, it could have induced a higher voltage in relays & coils somewhere in the system, that could damage components.
While poking around, check that you have good ground to the engine, as a bad ground there will pull current through any other ground it can find. In other words, if the big cable from the battery to the block, or the one from the block to the chassis/body, either one, is not making good contact, all of the electric gizmos in the truck will use whatever ground they can find, even if it is the one for the license plate light. Again, if grounds are bad, it can run you around the tree a bunch of times with screwy symptoms. Such as a mis-firing VSS...
tom
If you caused a spark at any time, it could have induced a higher voltage in relays & coils somewhere in the system, that could damage components.
While poking around, check that you have good ground to the engine, as a bad ground there will pull current through any other ground it can find. In other words, if the big cable from the battery to the block, or the one from the block to the chassis/body, either one, is not making good contact, all of the electric gizmos in the truck will use whatever ground they can find, even if it is the one for the license plate light. Again, if grounds are bad, it can run you around the tree a bunch of times with screwy symptoms. Such as a mis-firing VSS...
tom
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Sorry I didn't post my results sooner. Been a little crazy around here. Some downsizing going on at the office. I've been given every other Friday off without pay from now until who knows. It won't kill me and I'm looking at it like an opportunity to do other things. Anyway, thanks for the input guys. Changed the VSS and all better. Truck is behaving itself again. I wish all fixes were that cheap and easy. Just a little weird how the VSS went right after changing the starter.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: suburban atlanta
It is common for the vehicle to need attention after a downward shift in income. You got lucky, most find they need a new transmission, engine or differential to go with the worn out brake pads... and wiper blades.
Actually, I liked having the time off more than the money. I figure Uncle Sam gets 20% or so, and that made the time off worth more.
Funny coincidence, especially if you didn't get any sparks anywhere. Were the grounds all good?
tom
Actually, I liked having the time off more than the money. I figure Uncle Sam gets 20% or so, and that made the time off worth more.
Funny coincidence, especially if you didn't get any sparks anywhere. Were the grounds all good?
tom
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Tom, Thanks for your replies. I think I'm going to like the time off as well. I'm already making plans for those days. Hopefully none will be spent under the hood. No I didn't get any sparks of any kind, had both terminals on the batt disconnected when I did the starter. All the grounds are good, unless of course there is one hiding out some where that I didn't see. Which wouldn't be a shock.
You know what I have noticed is when I go on the brake now I'm hearing a clicking noise like a relay clicking. I'm guessing it has something to do with the ABS but no light or anything like that. Truck seems to be braking normally. Once in a while it will feel like the ABS is kicking in. Any ideas? Thanks again.
You know what I have noticed is when I go on the brake now I'm hearing a clicking noise like a relay clicking. I'm guessing it has something to do with the ABS but no light or anything like that. Truck seems to be braking normally. Once in a while it will feel like the ABS is kicking in. Any ideas? Thanks again.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Ishpeming Mi.
A 3 day weekend means one day for working on the truck, one day for fishing, and one day doing all the owners [wife] honeydo's
Makes for peace at home. 
Makes for peace at home.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Kiev, Ukraine
Well, about topic... I suggest it is VSS issue. Brocken wires, corrozed connectors and ect.
If I'm not sure I usually rewire. VSS signal goes to ATE ABS and PCM and to instrumental cluster.
May be you worked near bad wires, toched them and got they short ore broken... Who knows. Get AVOmeter and recheck VSS wiring.
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This is turning into a real mess. ABS light came on when I drove it before. Had to make a stop. Shut the truck off, started the truck up, ABS light off. I pulled the codes and here's what I have P0500, P0340, and P0543. The P0543 is a ghost that I've been fighting with for a while. The P0340 is the camshaft position sensor and the P0500 is the VSS that I've just changed unless its the other one now going. Does the P0340 have anything to do with the P0500?
Post Fiend
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From: Kiev, Ukraine
Well, CPS is emission thing. It is used for missfire detection only to get 301-306 codes. Not more. On diesel engines (exept old Mercedes EWE) it is used for cylinder ballansing/compression test.
So w/o CPS you'll get CEL and P0340 code. Not more. No power limiting, no fuel:air related issues.
CPS appeared in Germany in 90-s becouse new Euro-II emission requirements and later appeared all over the world.
VSS is not related with CPS usually.... but... check wiring harness in place where you worked changing starter.
So w/o CPS you'll get CEL and P0340 code. Not more. No power limiting, no fuel:air related issues.
CPS appeared in Germany in 90-s becouse new Euro-II emission requirements and later appeared all over the world.
VSS is not related with CPS usually.... but... check wiring harness in place where you worked changing starter.
Elder User
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From: Ishpeming Mi.
"One day to work on truck, one day to work on someone's truck for some cash, one day to spend cash with girls......"
Pablo, no truer words were ever spoken, but alas... some of us aren't free anymore
His desire to spend TWO days fishing instead of one are quite understandable given his situation. I'm in the same boat, um, actually I'm NOT in the boat... and there is the problem
Pablo, no truer words were ever spoken, but alas... some of us aren't free anymore
His desire to spend TWO days fishing instead of one are quite understandable given his situation. I'm in the same boat, um, actually I'm NOT in the boat... and there is the problem
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