Hey all... first post.
I'm driving myself nuts looking for the answer to this problem myself but finally decided to ask for help.
Installing a new Pioneer stereo head in 2011 4x4 auto, and I need a vehicle speed sensor signal wire but can't find one. I was hoping there would be one in the stock radio harness but no luck there. I read there may be a gray-blk wire in the big harness that comes through firewall at the parking brake but no joy there either. I understand there may be one at the GEM behind the radio, but no gray-blk there. Please, any hints would be appreciated.

Related question; if I find a wire I suspect to be the VSS signal, is there a way to test that it is correct with multi-meter or test light? I understand it should be a pulsing signal.

Thanks in advance,
Aaron

 

Welcome to the forum

No GEM on a 2011 Ranger, they were used on 1995 thru 2003 Rangers, you have an SJB(smart junction box) as the body computer, in passenger side kick panel, fuse box is part of the SJB

2004 to 2011 use SJBs
2004 to 2011 have a Digital dash(HEC) Cluster, has some cool features look it up, anyway the speed signal is digital from the CAN Bus network, no more analog VSS in the cab

The PCM gets the signal from OSS(output shaft speed) sensor on transmission, but its at 25,000ppm(pulse per mile) and Ford's standard signal is 8,000ppm which is what the 3rd party radio would expect if its for a Ford

But there may be one you can use, the PCM converts and sends out an 8,000ppm to Cruise control module/servo
Should be a Purple/orange wire, runs from the PCMs 3 connector harness in engine bay to the Cruise module/servo in engine bay
Center connector on PCM, C175B, pin 1 should be purple/orange wire
On cruise servo should be a purple/orange wire on pin 3

Tap that wire for 8,000ppm, and as long as the device you are using is grounded it will have a Ford Speed signal

But have to ask, why a speed signal at a Radio?
If its for volume control skip it, it sucks big time, you will just turn it off

Problem is ambient noise, i.e. you roll down a window or other outside noises make it less than useless, you are still adjusting the volume
You can buy or build an ambient noise detector, these work "OK", better than VSS setup but still have their issues
Some newer units have that, so no need for VSS, the music/radio "noise" is run thru the noise detector so its cancelled out of the "Listening", so any noises NOT the music will cause volume to go up to compensate or back down when its gone
Cool idea, but in a vehicle it often doesn't work very well, too many unknowns that popup for it
Does work great in restaurants and bars

Bottom line, Steering wheel volume control is best, lol

 

Ron, Thank You so much for your thoughtful and detailed reply (and for the welcome). I appreciate your time!
You restored some of my faith in my sanity... explaining why I could not fine what I was sure was there to find.
I am attempting to replace the stock radio with a Pioneer DMH-W2700NEX head. The Head features Apple CarPlay and Android auto. It also includes an auxiliary GPS antenna for "better accuracy". From what I understand, the VSS will be used to help calibrate GPS and may lock some features of the CarPlay while the truck is in motion. It can not be omitted or pulled high/low, the head expects a pulse and will error out without it. (yes, I am second guessing my choice in Head Units)

After my OP, I did run the number off what I thought was a GEM to find it was actually the Transfer Case Control Module.
Thank You (again) for locating the PCM to CC signal, that may be exactly what I need. The pin number and wire color was very helpful indeed! I'll tap and test this afternoon.
(Assuming this works I'll then continue with the parking brake wiring requirement... also a pain but relatively straight forward... oh, then the reverse detection LOL sheesh.)

Again, I appreciate the info and your time.
Aaron

 

Yes, the analog VSS wire at the 4WD controller was no longer there after 2006 or so, speed was from the CAN Bus, digital like the dash speedometer
Only other place I found was the cruise control, and not sure why that didn't go digital at the same time the 4WD module did

 

Just wanted to add a note here in case others are looking for this information. (as mentioned, I had a hard time finding it myself).
With RonD's advice above I did find the Vehicle Speed Sensor, VSS signal line I was after. I pulled it from the Cruise control module/servo connector and routed a wire through the firewall using a loom and grommet installed earlier when I installed a Brake Controller. In my case there are two Purple/Orange wires at the connector. I tapped the one at Pin-3 (P1 is at the bottom, P2 unpopulated).

It was quite a bit of extra work & time to achieve a clean install without finding this under the dash, but in the end it worked. My new Head Unit has a troubleshooting feature which allows me to actually see the VSS pulses to ensure it is working as expected.

Thanks once more to Ron and the Ranger-Forums.
A.