I have a question about my 1996 Ford Ranger. It's throwing a Speed Sensor Circuit code, and I was wondering where this speed sensor is located. It's usually found around the sides of the transmission, but I can't find it anywhere. I saw somewhere that it's actually inside the trans, and I have to pull the pan to get to it. I was wondering if this was true. Also, I wanted to know how much trans fluid I would need to refill it since it's probably time to change it. I put in a cooler, so it might take a little extra the normal.
Thanks

 

Welcome to the forum

In 1996 Ranger 2WD the VSS(speed sensor) is on the drivers side of transmissions tail shaft housing
Tail shaft housing with hole for sensor seen here: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/qPcAA...7zb/s-l300.jpg

On a 4x4 the VSS is on the transfer case in 1996
Seen here, upper part of image, next to rear drive shaft: https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...0414143746.jpg

For either 2WD or 4x4 the 1996 VSS sensor looks like this after its removed: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...s_withgear.JPG

It is gear driven like the old speedometer cables, has 2 wires attached

P0500 code means no speed signal at computer
If its a VSS issue then you would also have NO speedometer/odometer either

The computer, speedo, and cruise ALL share the VSS signal in 1996
So if speedo works, and Computer shows P0500 then its a wiring issue to the computer not an issue with VSS

 

Ok. So my speedometer still works fine, so you're saying it's a wiring issue? Do you know the best method to finding where the problem is in the wires? Should I just replace them, or would it be a fuze or something...

 

Which of the several codes is it throwing ?

 

p0715

 

P0715 Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit Malfunction

Not a VSS issue
This is a transmission code for TSS sensor, and unfortunately, on the 4R and 5R 44E/55E models, this sensor is located inside the rotating part of transmission, so transmission needs to come out and be disassembled to replace it

Its located on the center support inside transmission, seen here, front of trans, with bellhousing and internal parts removed: https://ww2-secure.justanswer.com/up...124735_tss.gif

Its possible its just a wiring issue but unlikely, computer has these codes it can used for this one sensor
P0715 Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit Malfunction
P0716 Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit Range/Performance
P0717 Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit No Signal
P0718 Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit Intermittent

P0715 usually means TSS sensor stopped working while driving

You can unplug the 16 pin connector on drivers side of transmission and test the OHMS on the TSS wires/sensor inside transmission
60-130 ohms is expected if internal wiring and sensor are OK

Look at the PDF below to see what pins to test for TSS + and -
Pins 2 and 3

There is a connector inside the Pan which can be accessed by removing the pan, long shot, and you can retest the TSS sensor there as well

 

Yea I tried to use the top right bolt to thread into the top left side ( youtube said top left worked for ground idk ) and connect a wire from the negative battery terminal to it. It didn't work. It wanted to stall for a second when I got good contact. But after I drove off, it ran on all fours for a second.. lol... I'm going to look into taking off the power steering, but I'm sorta homeless right now and don't want to do it in a parking lot with no money but we'll see how I feel about it. Thanks for all the help. I'll give an update if I sell it or fix it either way. The sudden little burst of it working really makes me not want to give up