Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Vehicle Speed Sensor

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 11, 2009 | 01:54 PM
  #1  
trotsky13's Avatar
trotsky13
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Vehicle Speed Sensor

Could someone tell me exactly where the VSS - Vehicle Speed Sensor is located on my 96 F250 7.5L E4OD 4x4? Thanks.
 
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2009 | 01:59 PM
  #2  
andym's Avatar
andym
Post Fiend
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
On top of the rear differential.
 
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2009 | 03:24 PM
  #3  
trotsky13's Avatar
trotsky13
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
andym, thanks. The reason I ask is I had my truck at this tranny shop to pull some codes since it was acting up and they said it pulled an egr valve code and the vss. I asked them to replace it and they kept the truck and called the next day, truck's done and ready to pick up. Ran like a top, they said they took it on two trips and it ran well also.

Few days later, it acts up again and long story short had my neighbor, who's a mechanic at a dealership, look at it and after three times under my truck we can't see where there's any sign of a new vss. Everything looks like it hasn't been touched! Is there a pic of one that I can see for sure what it looks like?
 
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2009 | 03:37 PM
  #4  
brett12396f150's Avatar
brett12396f150
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
What was your tranny doing? (mines acting up and hoping its something simple)
 
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2009 | 03:48 PM
  #5  
trotsky13's Avatar
trotsky13
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Brett, I've got a 96 F250 7.5L E4OD 4x4. When going down the road in overdrive and a gear lower at times, it would drop out of gear and the rpm's would rev up and I'd let off the gas and it would SLAM back into gear. The Overdrive light on the shifter would start flashing. This was very sporatic and wouldn't happen all the time. I started by doing a tranny flush and installed new filter. Seemed to act better. Took and had codes pulled and it said VSS, vehicle speed sensor and they "supposedly" replaced it. Anyhow, after reading on here about the MLP/TR, manual lever position/transmission range sensor, I thought I'd just go ahead and swap it out as well as put on a new TPS, throttle position sensor. Both didn't cost me $100 and were easy to do myself. I'm now in the "testing" phase to see if she'll act up again or if one or more of the fixes might have done the trick. Good luck with yours. What exactly is it doing?
 
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2009 | 03:49 PM
  #6  
trotsky13's Avatar
trotsky13
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
First thing you need to really do it see if there's any codes stored and go from there. I've been told though, and I have no idea if this is true or not, but that sometimes if it's a sensor it won't always throw a code.
 
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2009 | 04:10 PM
  #7  
quicklook2's Avatar
quicklook2
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ohio
just changing parts like that is not really the best way to fix things.
 
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2009 | 04:12 PM
  #8  
trotsky13's Avatar
trotsky13
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
I realize that, but it was something simple and the cost was minimal so I thought I'd give it a shot.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Nov 11, 2009 | 05:42 PM
  #9  
subford's Avatar
subford
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,667
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
Here is what it looks like.



/
 
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2009 | 08:21 PM
  #10  
brett12396f150's Avatar
brett12396f150
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
Kinda like what mines doing, cept it doesnt slam into gear....if i let off the gas and push back on it it seems to go back.....could this be my tps? (im checking for codes soon as i have access to computer...last time i tried during the KOER test my brake line blew)
 
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2010 | 05:53 PM
  #11  
ArmchairDeity's Avatar
ArmchairDeity
New User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
A bit late to this thread but it came up in a search for my problem and I figured I'd contribute to the knowledge base... there's an article on therangerstation.com that has lots of pictures of the VSS, including what it looks like and where it's located on the rear diff. Here's the URL:

Ford Ranger Speedometers - How They Work

Hope that helps someone in the future.
 
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2010 | 02:11 PM
  #12  
Fasterthangator's Avatar
Fasterthangator
New User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I've got the same problem on my 95 F250 Powerstroke 7.3. the Codes said it was the speed sensor, but I have replaced that and it has not solved the problem. Did you ever find out what was causing this?
 
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2010 | 03:29 PM
  #13  
andym's Avatar
andym
Post Fiend
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
Just because it seems like your truck is doing the same thing doesn't mean it has the same root cause. What codes did you get?

If your transmission is randomly slipping into neutral, you need a new MLPS.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Rafi69
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
7
Jul 12, 2011 01:11 PM
JF1474
Aerostar
1
Sep 11, 2004 09:21 PM
CNTHOR
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
4
May 9, 2002 07:36 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:12 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE