I recently purchased a 1999 2wd regular cab ranger that the speedometer dosent work. I’ve been trying to figure it out but I’m stumped. No abs or engine light. I’ve put my scan tool on and nothing comes up for codes. I’ve checked the vss and it seemed to be fine. Could the cluster be bad? Would that cause the odometer and speedometer to go bad together? Any help or suggestions are appreciated.

 

Welcome to the forum

Speedo/odo share the one Speed signal wire, so if wire is not working then both will be off

1998-2000 Rangers did use the ABS VSS sensor on rear axle for Speed signal, if ABS light works(comes on with key on and then goes off) and is not on when driving then this rear axle sensor is good

In 1998-2000 Rangers the GEM module, behind the radio, gets the ABS sensor's 20,000ppm signal and converts it to the 8,000ppm signal the speedo/odo, computer and cruise control need
ppm = pulse per mile

GEM sends out the 8,000ppm signal on 1 wire, a grey/black stripe wire, this wire splits and goes to the dash, computer and cruise
The speed signal just needs the 1 wire not 2 after the GEM

If GEM was the problem then you would have engine code P0500 with OBD2 reader
P0500 Vehicle Speed Sensor Malfunction

So process of elimination
Wire on back of cluster is not working

Its the grey/black wire on pin 1 of the center connector, diagram below
It goes to pin 1 on the GEM, you can do a OHM/continuity test, if no connection then splice in a new wire
Also check cab fuses 11, 15 and 25

 

so I got it apart and it reads 0.00 so it’s good there, I checked the fuses and they are all good. So bad cluster is the other option?

 

Yes, bad cluster, as long as there is no P0500 code in computer

You can use any Ranger cluster from 1996 to 2003 as plug and play, even with Tach if you don't have one now, wire is there

The speedometer and odometer each have a separate electric motor so if one failed the other would still be working, so not that

Remember to install the 6 new back light bulbs on any cluster when its out, and there are LEDs available to change the color a bit

 

Are there other models that I can swap in if there are no used clusters available for a ranger? Such as explores or mazda b series?

 

Yes, on the Mazda B-series same years as Rangers
1996-2001 Explorer cluster will work

 

Looks like I’m also missing a light here. Could that be causing the problem?

 

No, wouldn't be the problem but that looks to be a "warning light" not a back light
Looks to say "door ajar" or "Water in Fuel", water in fuel would be for a diesel engine only, so if you don't have a door ajar light then previous owner removed the bulb instead of fixing the door sensor, lol
So dash has been out before

 

Thanks for the help. Replaced the cluster and all is good now.

 

Good stuff

Thanks for reporting THE FIX