1989 F150 speedometer not working
 

recently got this truck and already done a ton of work to it (new leafs, shackles, shocks, shock mounts, brake lines, brake rebuild, wheel cylinders, other stuff)

well the speedo, odometer, temp guage, and oil pressure guage all dont work. i thought maybe it had to do with the cable or gear but since they all dont work is it somehting electrical?

i can post pics of anything if you guys need. its a 4x4, 300 i6, 4 speed plus OD manual

thanks

I would check for a fuse. I believe you should have the elect dash panel so you may have to pull the cluster to check to make sure the harness is connected properly. If that still doesn't help you may need a new cluster.

i took the dash apart and unfortunately the harness still connected.

maybe the gear is busted? i cant figure out how to get this out (youre looking at the tranny near the clutch area)

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/a...photo-1985.jpg

The speedometer cable will be towards the REAR of the transmission or in the transfer case if it's 4X4, both will be on the drivers side , it won't be in the area of the clutch......

oh yeah i guess that cable is for the tach?

theres a 2 wire plug near the rear of the tranny, but i THINK its for the reverse lights.

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/a...photo-1463.jpg

and theres a 2 wire plug on the transfer case but i think its for the 4x4 light...

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/a.../photo-440.jpg

this is the model of transmission i have

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/a.../photo-573.jpg

any chance the wires on the rear differential are for the speedo?

do you guys think this is the problem?

RockAuto Parts Catalog

The rock auto catalog is seldom the problem, its usually the solution!

The tach traditionally goes to the coil, not sure on these SD EFI pieces....

The rear diff sensor is a vehicle speed sensor/ rear ABS sensor if I'm not mistaken...

What DOES work on the cluster? anything? I still think its something other then a speed sensor as you have multiple gauages not working

I may be a little off on this, but i thought the speedo in an 89 was gear driven.

My recent experience is with an 89 F250 4WD 5 speed. I bought the speed sensor that you linked to. And I bought a new gear because mine had enough wear that it would jump a bit. My REAL problem turned out to be a slightly elongated speedo drive cable.

I took off the 11mm retaining nut from the speed sensor and pulled it from the transfer case. I could turn the gear, but there was a lot of resistance. Then I pulled the cable from the speed sensor. The gear/speed sensor assembly now turned freely, AND the cable now turned freely. Stuck them back together. Resistance. Pulled apart. Free spinning. So I took a 4.5" angle grinder and took a small amount off the cable. I kept putting it back together and turning it, then took a little more off until it all turned freely. I put it all back together and now my speedo works flawlessly.

Good luck with yours. And be aware that the speed sensor/speedo cable changed places and functions a few times around 89.

Edit: I just updated my post about my problems.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post11863364

Good catch! The speed sensor did change but not until around 91 IIRC.

However I still think there is another issue for all those gauges to be inop.

Thanks for the replies! I believe I figured out the cable I originally thought was the speedo, is actually a hydraulic clutch. The PO told me it didn't have hydro clutch.

The gas gauge, tach, and battery gauge definitely work. The coolant temp, and oil pressure MAY work, but they always seem to be stuck around the same spot. The speedo is just at 0.

I had to replace a heater hose pipe because it rusted through. When I was putting it back the water outlet pipe cracked in half. My only option was to get a new outlet, hardware store fittings, and put the temp gauge AFTER the thermostat on the way to the rad. This would only mean I would have to wait for the thermostat to open before getting a temp reading. I hope I didn't confuse anyone.

I'm going to go check the rear end to see where the wires go to and the t case as well wish me luck

okay so a few days ago i found this, and i spun it with my finger and it made the speedo move a little.

where does it attach? it was tucked behind the gas tank with other wires. man the PO did not take care of this thing

and excuse the lack of rocker panels ;)

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/a...photo-1525.jpg

i think i found where the cable attaches but im missing some parts..

does this have anything to do with it?

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/a...photo-1691.png

On my E350, the speedo cable goes into the left side of the tranny towards the rear.

It connects above where the rear driveshaft goes into the transmission