Hi everyone, so about November last year my speedometer went out and I replaced the speed sensor on the trans. At the time it fixed it and it worked perfectly until about March this year when it went out again, I've tried replacing the sensor again and tried replacing the abs sensor on the rear end but still nothing. I'll attach some videos of some weird things the speedometer did before trying the second new sensor, not long after they were taken it stopped working entirely and that's when I tried the second sensor. I can't see an obvious explanation to them. I'm not incredibly knowledgeable with electrical stuff so any advice or ideas would be appreciated.

 

Welcome to the forum

1995 to 1997 Rangers use a VSS sensor on the transmission(or transfer case) for Speed
(Only 1998-2000 used ABS sensor on rear axle)

The 1997 VSS provided speed signal to Speedometer AND Odometer, AND Cruise Control AND engine computer
If there was no signal from VSS the Speedo AND Odo will stop working at the same time, they use two different electric motors, so if just one stops working its not a VSS issue
If VSS quits working then Computer will set one of these codes
P0500 Vehicle Speed Sensor Malfunction
P0501 Vehicle Speed Sensor Range/Performance
P0502 Vehicle Speed Sensor Low Input
P0503 Vehicle Speed Sensor Intermittent/Erratic/High

If you have an automatic transmission then you should notice shifting issues if there is no Speed signal at the Computer

I assume the CEL(check engine light) works(comes on with key on, then stays off when driving), but didn't come on after speedometer stopped working
Does the Odometer work?
If odometer works/moves then its a cluster issue, speedometer

VSS sensor has a Pink/orange wire that is Grounded, in the engine bay
And a Grey/black wire with 2 splices, one runs to cluster(shared wire for speedo/odo), one to Cruise(if so equipped), and one to Computer(PCM)

VSS generates its own voltage, AC Voltage, 0.5vAC to 8vAC, low speed to high speed
If you have an OHM meter, VSS should show 1.4k ohms

 

Cel doesn't come on at all. The odometer and speedometer both don't work like you were saying, also it's the 5 speed manual. It is throwing a p0500 code and I'll check grounds and ohms when I can

 

CEL bulb is burnt out

Pull out the VSS and check the gear for wear and tear, manual also has a replaceable DRIVE gear on the output shaft, these rarely fail, but it is on the list, automatics don't have this
DRIVEN Gear on the VSS will show bad wear if DRIVE gear is the issue

You can use a drill on the VSS to spin it, and with key on, speedometer will show speed
Can't remember if you need to spin it clockwise or counter-clockwise, but it will only show speed in one direction, doesn't hurt it to spin it in the wrong direction, you do that every time you back up, lol

Yes, test if Pink wire is a good ground

Since you have both P0500 and no speedo/odo then grey/black wire from VSS to cab maybe the issue, so follow/check that wire as much as you can, not sure where it goes into the cab

 

Unfortunately no good news but I was able to hook a drill up to my vss, did nothing and using a odb2 reader I was able to learn the PCM is also not getting anything. Redid the pink/orange ground to be safe, I'll report back when I look into the grey/black wire you mentioned. Also thanks for your help so far

 

Here is the wiring diagram for 1995-1997 Ranger VSS: https://www.therangerstation.com/for...tic-jpg.47001/