VSS Again??
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 53
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From: Lapeer, Michigan
VSS Again??
Hello All,
About 6 months ago I replaced my Vehicle Speed Sensor because my ABS light came on and the speedo was jumping around. This was awesome info I learned on this site and it saved me $$. THANK YOU!
A couple weeks ago my ABS light came on again, service engine light, so I took it to Autozone and had the code read. It read VSS, so I bought another new one. When I took out the existing one, it had a few metal shavings on it, so I cleanded it off and put it back in. It worked for a while then the ABS light came on yesterday. Drove it around, it seemed fine. Today driving around for work, the speedo started jumping around again and I thought I need to put that new sensor in (that I still have).
Then my speedo just dropped to zero........and stayed there. Hard shift from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. Turned it off. Started it up and the ABS and service engine light stayed on.
Can the VSS go bad within months?? I recently drained and replaced the differential fluid (two weeks ago) and I didn't notice metal shavings any where, even when I drained the drain pan.
Any thoughts? Suggestions??
Thanks.
About 6 months ago I replaced my Vehicle Speed Sensor because my ABS light came on and the speedo was jumping around. This was awesome info I learned on this site and it saved me $$. THANK YOU!
A couple weeks ago my ABS light came on again, service engine light, so I took it to Autozone and had the code read. It read VSS, so I bought another new one. When I took out the existing one, it had a few metal shavings on it, so I cleanded it off and put it back in. It worked for a while then the ABS light came on yesterday. Drove it around, it seemed fine. Today driving around for work, the speedo started jumping around again and I thought I need to put that new sensor in (that I still have).
Then my speedo just dropped to zero........and stayed there. Hard shift from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. Turned it off. Started it up and the ABS and service engine light stayed on.
Can the VSS go bad within months?? I recently drained and replaced the differential fluid (two weeks ago) and I didn't notice metal shavings any where, even when I drained the drain pan.
Any thoughts? Suggestions??
Thanks.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Lapeer, Michigan
The window sticker does not mention limited slip diff. I believe it would if it had it.
I believe I don't because I get stuck going up my driveway in the winter when there's only an inch of snow! Have to get out and lock in the hubs and put it in 4WD to go 35 feet.
I did just get back from another errend. The truck sat for about an hour. I started it and service engine light was on but NOT the ABS light. Speedo was working again. About a mile down the road ABS light came back on and the speedo started jumping again but didn't drop to zero and stay there. Just a little more imput.
Let me know if you need additional info.
SteveO.
I believe I don't because I get stuck going up my driveway in the winter when there's only an inch of snow! Have to get out and lock in the hubs and put it in 4WD to go 35 feet.
I did just get back from another errend. The truck sat for about an hour. I started it and service engine light was on but NOT the ABS light. Speedo was working again. About a mile down the road ABS light came back on and the speedo started jumping again but didn't drop to zero and stay there. Just a little more imput.
Let me know if you need additional info.
SteveO.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
I'll bet if you clean the VSS again, you're going to find more metallic crap on it.
I'd guess you're going to have differential problems in the near future.
You DID use the proper synthetic gear grease, didn't you, with the friction modifier added if it's limited slip?
Pop
I'd guess you're going to have differential problems in the near future.
You DID use the proper synthetic gear grease, didn't you, with the friction modifier added if it's limited slip?
Pop
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Junior User
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From: Lapeer, Michigan
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
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From: Long Island USA
It's a tough thing to do, but check the tone ring and make sure it's not gummed up with sludge and metal.
I'd start looking at the wiring going to the VSS.
I'd start looking at the wiring going to the VSS.
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Lapeer, Michigan
I would have to think it's something in the wiring now.
Yesterday on my way home I drove about 19 miles with the ABS light coming on. I hit a decent pot hole and it came on.
I put a brand new VSS in last night and drove around the block and the ABS light came on. Double checked the connection and drove it around the again and it came right back on again.
Hmmmmmmm............wiring is looking suspect!!
Yesterday on my way home I drove about 19 miles with the ABS light coming on. I hit a decent pot hole and it came on.
I put a brand new VSS in last night and drove around the block and the ABS light came on. Double checked the connection and drove it around the again and it came right back on again.
Hmmmmmmm............wiring is looking suspect!!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 183
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From: San Diego
My VSS experience with a bad connector on a wire
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...ks-to-fte.html
It was the wire. I bought a new VSS yesterday morning. When I experienced the problems again in the afternoon I pulled over and changed the VSS. I went about 6 miles with no problems at all. Then it went so wacko on the speedo and the transmission that I thought for sure it was the transmission saying goodbye. So I rode it in gently to the barn, about 15 miles.
I double checked everything and it all seemed fine. Then today after reading your reply and discussing the situation with the Ford service and parts department at Kearny mesa Ford in San Diego, I bout replacement pigtail connectors for the VSS and the speedo sensor on the side of the transmission.
Sure enough, one conductor in the connector was open. I spliced in the new one, pulled up the code for the VSS and cleared it then drove it around. That problem was gone but the shifting problem remained. Later I'll post what I learned. Its is running just fine, in fact better than ever.
Thanks for the help.
I double checked everything and it all seemed fine. Then today after reading your reply and discussing the situation with the Ford service and parts department at Kearny mesa Ford in San Diego, I bout replacement pigtail connectors for the VSS and the speedo sensor on the side of the transmission.
Sure enough, one conductor in the connector was open. I spliced in the new one, pulled up the code for the VSS and cleared it then drove it around. That problem was gone but the shifting problem remained. Later I'll post what I learned. Its is running just fine, in fact better than ever.
Thanks for the help.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,174
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From: Millersburg, OR
There are also speed sensors (ABS) in each front hub. All three signals must match or be real close for your speedo to work. If you can find someone with AE and turn on the ABS mode and watch the speed on each sensor and you can easily see which one is bad. I don't know how in depth the autozone scanners are for codes... they might beable to tell you which one is bad?? I know AE told me my front drivers side one was bad...
Maybe you need to change the fluid in your diff too. Might make a difference?? Maybe something is floating around in there that is causing some issues with the sensor????
Maybe you need to change the fluid in your diff too. Might make a difference?? Maybe something is floating around in there that is causing some issues with the sensor????
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Lapeer, Michigan
Bite the bullet?
Should I just bite the bullet and take it to the ford dealer?
Drove up north over the weekend and same stuff happening. ABS light will stay off until I hit a some type of bump, then the ABS light will come on and the speedo will start jumping around here and there. But when it gets really warm, the speedo drops to zero and basically stay there.
If the truck sits for a few hours or over night it will process starts all over again. I tried wiggling wire around when I lost the speedo but to no avail.
Any other thoughts?
Drove up north over the weekend and same stuff happening. ABS light will stay off until I hit a some type of bump, then the ABS light will come on and the speedo will start jumping around here and there. But when it gets really warm, the speedo drops to zero and basically stay there.
If the truck sits for a few hours or over night it will process starts all over again. I tried wiggling wire around when I lost the speedo but to no avail.
Any other thoughts?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,174
Likes: 1
From: Millersburg, OR
Also examine the front hubs and the rear diff. The abs lines come off each of the front wheel bearings and out and under the brake dust shield. Look at them and make sure they didn't get damaged from hitting something... If there is a bad connection the abs module might not like that.
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Lapeer, Michigan
She's completly Stock except for the K&N air filter.
I'll take a look at the front sensors, It's seems like somthings loose! When I see a bump in the road, RR track, etc, and drive over it, I know the speedo will bounce or drop and the ABS light will come on (if it's not already on). So I beleive something is loose somewhere!.............and not just a nut loose behind the wheel !!
I'll take a look at the front sensors, It's seems like somthings loose! When I see a bump in the road, RR track, etc, and drive over it, I know the speedo will bounce or drop and the ABS light will come on (if it's not already on). So I beleive something is loose somewhere!.............and not just a nut loose behind the wheel !!