Hi. I have a 1998 Ranger XLT, V6, 4WD, automatic. Got in it today and noticed the ABS light on and the speedometer not working after I started driving. Friend told me it sounded like a sensor. If so, where is the sensor located and is it something I can buy and replace myself? Thanks!

 

Yes, friend is correct

1995 and up Ford Rangers used an electronic speedometer, no more speedometer cable
On 1998 to 2000 Rangers the Speedometer used(shared) the ABS sensor on the rear differential.

Not hard to replace, also called the VSS(vehicle speed sensor).

Check wires first, unplug connector and make sure it is clean and dry inside, and check that wires haven't broke or ???, road debris can break these wires
Replace sensor if everything else looks OK.
It isn't common for VSS to fail, but not unheard of either

 

Thanks RonD I will check the wiring and connection before removing the sensor.

 

also have the codes read from the ABS module to know if you have other sensors bad in order to fix your ABS, but yes the read sensor is used for speedometer

 

Thanks!! I found the problem after I removed the spare tire to give me more room and found a broken wire.

 

Good work

Thanks for the update and fix

 

EDIT...

{So it turned out that I didn't have the plug all the way home, there is just enough clearance between the sensor and the casting for the plug to clear.
It was hard to tell that it was in all the way because both the plastic clips on the plug had broken off.}
My solution the was a faulty sensor, replacing it also cured the pulsating brake pedal, it felt like the rotors where warped.

Mine is a 1999 Mazda B3000, with the simple ABS brakes with just the speed sensor off the rear axle pod. (not four wheel ABS)

Rather then start another thread, I'm just going to put this here, same problem, (ABS light on and no speedometer) I've replaced the sensor on the axle, connection looked OK, nice and clean and no oxidization.

If there is a fuse, I don't know which one, nothing listed in the owners manual in the fuse section that says VSS, I checked the fuses that had anything to do with 4 Wheel Anti-Lock brakes and they all had continuity.
Maybe it's under one of the other fuses or it's listed as something else ?
I also disconnected the battery and grounded it to itself to reset the PCM, but that did nothing.

I haven't checked the wiring because it's wrapped really well and doesn't look dirty or stressed, but that's next I guess.
When I first bought the truck the gas gauge stopped working and there was some slight oxidization on the plug that went the cab, I cleaned that and the gauge started working again, so it may need cleaning again, but I'm not even sure if the VVS goes through that same plug.

https://www.ranger-forums.com/rf/ran...nuals/1999.pdf

Page 136

Thanks, Jeff

 

There is no fuse specific to ABS and speedometer speed signal

The rear axle sensor is the issue, or its wiring, that's the only thing ABS and speedometer have in common in 1998-2000 Rangers
You should also get Code P0500 from computer, "no speed signal"
And cruise wouldn't work if so equipped

Unplug rear axle sensor and test wires
One should be a ground, 0 ohms to frame
The other should NOT be a ground
If both are grounds then that's the problem a short to ground

Rear axle sensor should read 1,000-2,000 ohms if its out, you can test it in place but if a tooth on the tone wheel is next to sensor not sure what it would read

Wiring is here, 1998-2000 is the same for RABS

There is an RABS test port with the 2 wires but not sure where it is in a 1999 Ranger