So here is my story. I have a 2000 Ford Ranger Automatic 4 cylinder rear wheel drive. The abs light came on and the speedometer started to act up when I put my foot on the brakes or if I put my blinker on. It was also taking a minute to shift in to drive. Well I take it to Midas to put it on the abs computer and that computer comes up with nothing. So they told me to replace the speed sensor. So I go to Advanced Auto Parts and they give me the vss and tell me its on the side of the transmission. Well I look all over the transmission and cannot find it so I take it back to Midas and they tell me its inside the transmission. Well I thought why would they put a sensor inside the transmission? Well I did a little research online and find out that from 98 to 2000 the rangers weren't given vss sensors but the PCM on the top of the differental. Well I go to Advanced Auto Parts and exchange the vss with a PCM and bring it home put it in and when I did that it actually made everything worse. Instead of a speedometer acting up I had no speedometer at all. Not only that but the truck wouldn't shift out of first gear.

Sorry about the drawn out story but my question to all of you is does anyone have any idea what my problem is?

 

A little bit about terms, the PCM is in a Power Control Module. Is is located under the hood by the windshield wiper. It controls the engine functions. The speed sensor is located on top of the differential and it controls the input to the ABS, Speedo and cruise control. Your symptoms sound like a faulty speed sensor.

 

You apparently replaced the "Rear ABS Speed Sensor" which is located on the front top of the rear differential. Since it made matters worse, I'd take it out and bring it back to Advanced and get another one. I've heard of those sensors being bad out of the box. Make sure you install it correctly, and clean and inspect the harness connector.

If it turns out not to be the rear speed sensor, you might have a moisture problem with a large wiring harness connector located under the driver's seat.

Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - View Single Post - 2000 Ford Ranger Overdrive light flashing

 

Thanks for the info. I ordered a new part and it should be here in the morning. I'll change it again and see if that helps. As far as the connector goes everything looks good. I looked at it and even the plstic cover is still on the wiring harness and the connector had no corrosion or anything like that.

 

Never buy a sensor from Advanced Auto Parts. This is the second faulty sensor I've gotten from these guys. I just ordered one from H L Ford and I'm hoping that the one they give me fixes my problem finally!