Speedometer and Odometer quit on me the speedo flickered on and off then hasnt worked since. Replaced the vss thats on the rear axle but didnt do anything - Is there another one sensor somewhere? I have been reading forum posts like crazy cant find a straight answer. I have a manual transmission 2001 ranger with the 2.5. I looked on the transmission and all I have on it is the back up light lamps that I disconnected and reconnected to see if thats what it was. thanks anyone/everyone

 

Welcome to the forum

Rear axle sensor is also for ABS, so if it goes out ABS light will come on as well

2001 2.5l Lima was only available for 1/2 the year, just FYI, Rangers got the 2.3l Duratec mid-year which had a different speed setup

Yes, yours will used the rear axle VSS, it goes to ABS AND to GEM module behind the radio in the dash
The GEM converts the 25,000PPM ABS signal to the 8,000PPM signal needed by speedometer/odo, computer, and Cruise control(if so equipped)

If Speed signal was missing in the computer it would turn on CEL(check engine light) and you would have code P0500-no speed signal
So if CEL works, comes in with key on, and then stays off after startup then no P0500 code
This would mean GEM is working and the problem was in the cluster or a fuse

Check fuse 26 in cab fuse box, 10amp

If its OK then you will need to pull out the cluster and probably GEM to access wires

A grey/black stripe wire is used from GEM to cluster, and computer, and cruise, they are all just spliced together
You will need to test the cluster to GEM wire with OHM meter

Speedo and odo use/share the same signal wire and each has a separate electric motor, so not a motor issue if both don't work
So either there is no power or no signal

 

Ok thanks for the welcoming and reply! I had the check engine light come on initially but reset my battery to see if that would fix the speedo but hasnt come on since. fuse was fine. The ABS light is still on after throwing in the new sensor could that sensor be faulty? If the problem was in the cluster would it turn the CEL light on?

 

No CEL for cluster fault

No CEL with key on means bulb is burned out or computer is not powering up

A good Rear Axle ABS sensor should show 800-2,000 ohms when its out, so test your old one first to see what it shows


You can get a Bluetooth OBD2 reader for under $20, like an ELM327
These work on ANY vehicle 1996 and newer, and with any cellphone with a FREE APP
Very good diagnostic tool to have in the drawer

Can read and clear codes, but you can also see "live data" from computer, like SPEED while driving, this would tell you if computer is getting a speed signal, but cluster is not
It can't see ABS codes

 

Hey so I bought a scan tool and have the P0500 come up speed sensor circuit A and also getting a 0mph read on my live data stream. Where should I head next? fuses are fine swapped out the sensor wires looked great plug looked great.

 

Then its the GEM module behind the radio, either wires spliced to the rear axle sensor wires are bad or the GEM module is

Need to pull out the radio
GEM can has 2, 3, or 4 wiring connectors depending on vehicles options, but that doesn't matter since you only need to test wires on the one 18 pin connector

Pin 1 on that connector is SPEED OUT, grey/black stripe wire

Pins 9 and 18 are the SPEED IN from rear axle sensor, red/pink wire and green/black wire

Unplug rear axle sensor, put a jumper wire between the 2 wires, so they are shorted together
Use an OHM meter to test the 2 wires at the GEM end, should see 0 OHMs, a direct connection, if not then there is a broken wire between sensor and GEM

If you get 0 OHMs then problem is GEM module, pretty much any 1998-2000 Ranger GEM will work for you, but only a 2001 from a 2.5l would work, not from 2001 3.0l or 4.0l
These are the only years that have the speed conversion software inside

 

It has an aftermarket radio one of those lame digital ones would that have anything to do with it? I had to shove it back in a few weeks ago. . .

 

If that's when speedometer quit then yes probably pulled out a wire from GEM

 

Naa it didnt quit then week after that but ill look tomorrow thank you for the replys!

 

Was driving the ranger yesterday and the speedometer and mile gauge would kick on for a little bit then drop out. I also noticed that if i was cruising at a constant speed with consistent pressure on the gas pedal, when the speedo would kick on Id get a little extra engine power. any ideas??

 

Yes, the computer works better when it has a speed signal, otherwise it is just "guessing" at the best air/fuel mix and spark timing

 

Thanks for the reply. Was asking why it would be intermittent - would it just be maybe a loose wire?

 

Sure, could be
In 1998-2000 Rangers Speed signal comes from the rear axle ABS sensor, so if ABS light is also coming on then could be that sensor or wire
If ABS light is not coming on the could be wire from ABS to the GEM behind the radio
Or the GEM itself
Of the wire from GEM to speedometer and computer

You only know the cause of "intermittent" when you find it, until then one guess is a good as another

 

Hello so over the summer it came back on and since then when driving in the rain it went out. Any idea whats getting wet? After a few days it seems to dry and fix itself.

 

2000 and 2001 Rangers have a larger connector under drivers seat, for wiring to go from inside cab to outside, it was a known issue for water intrusion

TSB seen here: Technical Service Bulletin 2000-2001 Ranger electrical connector - Ford Ranger Forum

In 2001 it was called connector C340

 

thank you Ron. check this out Technical Service Bulletin 2000-2001 Ranger electrical connector - Ford Ranger Forum
def the right direction could I dry it out the area under the truck with a hair dryer? the glue that was holding it in place under the floor gave up so its not flush with the floor anymore.

 

You would need to open the connector and clean the pins/slots as best you can, and yes dry it out
Then put dielectric grease on inside edges of connector and put it back together
The grease seals it from water getting in

Dielectric grease won't conduct electricity so no shorts, but do not get it on the pins or in the slots, because those ARE SUPPOSE to conduct electricity, lol

Found this diagram: https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...nnector340.jpg

 

Am I opening the connector under the truck? by removing that hex head bolt?

 

If you say so, never had a 2000/2001 Ranger myself :)
But yes, it looks like there is a bolt in the center holding male/female halves together

 

ok ill try it out today when the suns up thanks Ron!

 

Ok so I took the plug out came out no prob but was filled with water and a few of the pins were so corroded and broke. Truck wont start kinda feeling the RIP feeling what do I do now was stranded for hours.

 

Well at least it was a "controlled" breakdown, it could have happened at any time, when those connections finally failed inside

They are crimp on style but you should solder on new pins

TSB had these pin numbers
REFERENCE APPROPRIATE PINS:
E7EB-14461-BA replacing silver finish pins (1.6mm) and/or
F6TZ-14461-AA replacing gold/brass finish pins (1.6mm) and/or
F6DZ-14461-CA replacing silver finish pins (2.8mm) and/or
E5DZ-14461-A replacing silver finish (1.6mm Circuits 52 and 64)

25 pins for $11: https://www.fastener.zone/products/a...-e7eb-14461-ba

Ford dealer should have them but will be "a piece" most likely, but if you only need a few................

Local auto parts store could have them as well

 

How do I get the pins out seems pretty sealed up. If I brought this to my local ford dealer would they be aware of the issue?

 

Yes, just reference the TSB, seen here: https://f01.justanswer.com/dcraig100...cb9325_eee.pdf

Google: de-pin ford connectors

There are different kinds of connectors, so different methods

 

So im dropping my truck off this week with a pretty solid mechanic he's kind of aware of the issue hard to explain over the phone. I believe one of the pins the size of a needle broke too. All the wires are solid just the plug is pretty much toast. Could he wire it straight together without the plug? Trying to get the idea aligned. I bought those pins you posted theyll be in tuesday. Should I hit a junkyard?