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I finally swapped my 2001 Ranger to a manual! I have all 5 gears and reverse, back up lights, no 3k rev limiter, no PATS issues, and 4x4! Things are looking great and took all weekend.
BUT,
My speedometer isn’t working! I do have an M5R1 with an OSS hole in the tailhousing and I do have the OSS sensor. I wired up the pigtail for it just like you should do and plugged it in. Went for a test drive today and everything was great. Just no speedometer. So I’m scratching my head thinking why would this be happening since I believe it should be working.
I snipped the 5R55E’s VSS wires and connected up my OSS (BL/YE and GY/RD on the harness). Everything should be working but it isn’t.
Before I go digging thought I’d see if anybody has any input! Check out the pics from past 30 hours lol
Well thats where it can get complicated.................lol
2WD and 4x4
Rear ABS and 4 wheel ABS
2000 was the last year Rangers used rear axle ABS sensor thru GEM for speed
2001 was the year OSS signal was used thru the PCM(Computer) to speedometer
Did you change your PCM to a manual model, and if so what year is it?
And do you have 4WABS?
Well thats where it can get complicated.................lol
2WD and 4x4
Rear ABS and 4 wheel ABS
2000 was the last year Rangers used rear axle ABS sensor thru GEM for speed
2001 was the year OSS signal was used thru the PCM(Computer) to speedometer
Did you change your PCM to a manual model, and if so what year is it?
And do you have 4WABS?
Nice lol!
Alright got it. So, I did change the PCM with a 2001 model PCM. They programmed it for a truck with a manual transmission. It’s a new one from Flagship 1. See link:
When you bought the transmission, did it come with the correct tailhousing on the back? I'm assuming so judging by the paint. When you look into the hole for the OSS, is there any kind of teeth or anything that the sensor would be reading? Provided you hooked up the sensor in the right orientation, there really should be no reason for your speedometer to be dead if it was working prior to the swap.
All Ford speedometers use 8,000PPM(pulse per mile) as the calibration
In the old days that was done using a gear on trans or transfer case output shaft, cable drive or VSS
In 1998 Ranger used rear axle ABS VSS but it sends out 25,000ppm
So that signal was sent to GEM and converted it to 8,000ppm
In 2001 Computer uses OSS signal which is also 25,000ppm and it converts it to 8,000ppm and sends it out to speedometer
In the case of 4x4s you need VSS or OSS on the transfer case output shaft because of Low Range, 4L, or speedometer wouldn't read correctly in low range
So you have 4WABS but speedometer doesn't work
On some models with 4WABS the speed signal came from 4WABS Module, using wheel speed, 2WD, 4H or 4L wouldn't matter, since you didn't mess with that then thats not where your speed signal comes from
So your speed signal will come from the computer, pin 68 grey/black wire
Computer will get its signal from an OSS, and it should be on the transfer case output shaft
But the OSS on transmission should still give you a signal, it just wouldn't be right in 4L
OSS doesn't have polarity, there is no +/- its an AC signal, one wire is grounded, because only 1/2 the AC signal is used, but as far as the OSS sensor is concern which wire is which doesn't matter.
But check for OSS on transfer case, because in a 4x4 those wires would connect to the computer on different pins than the OSS for automatic trans 4x4
i.e. one is used just for shifting and the other, on transfer case, is used for speed signal
When you bought the transmission, did it come with the correct tailhousing on the back? I'm assuming so judging by the paint. When you look into the hole for the OSS, is there any kind of teeth or anything that the sensor would be reading? Provided you hooked up the sensor in the right orientation, there really should be no reason for your speedometer to be dead if it was working prior to the swap.
Yessir! It does have the correct tailhousing and internals too. It has a tone ring around the output shaft that which should give the OSS a reading. I did check this out before installing because I wanted to verify.
So yes I agree with you, provided the truck does take reading from this, it should be functional.
All Ford speedometers use 8,000PPM(pulse per mile) as the calibration
In the old days that was done using a gear on trans or transfer case output shaft, cable drive or VSS
In 1998 Ranger used rear axle ABS VSS but it sends out 25,000ppm
So that signal was sent to GEM and converted it to 8,000ppm
In 2001 Computer uses OSS signal which is also 25,000ppm and it converts it to 8,000ppm and sends it out to speedometer
In the case of 4x4s you need VSS or OSS on the transfer case output shaft because of Low Range, 4L, or speedometer wouldn't read correctly in low range
So you have 4WABS but speedometer doesn't work
On some models with 4WABS the speed signal came from 4WABS Module, using wheel speed, 2WD, 4H or 4L wouldn't matter, since you didn't mess with that then thats not where your speed signal comes from
So your speed signal will come from the computer, pin 68 grey/black wire
Computer will get its signal from an OSS, and it should be on the transfer case output shaft
But the OSS on transmission should still give you a signal, it just wouldn't be right in 4L
OSS doesn't have polarity, there is no +/- its an AC signal, one wire is grounded, because only 1/2 the AC signal is used, but as far as the OSS sensor is concern which wire is which doesn't matter.
But check for OSS on transfer case, because in a 4x4 those wires would connect to the computer on different pins than the OSS for automatic trans 4x4
i.e. one is used just for shifting and the other, on transfer case, is used for speed signal
This is awesome information. Thanks Ron.
Agreed, it must come from the computer. That’s what I would think too, even without the OSS it should still give a signal. But, nothing at all.
10/4 on the +/- wires. I did wire it the way the diagram states just incase it mattered but that must not be an issue either.
I will have to do some investigating on the transfer case to see if there is a sensor on there. If there is a sensor on there, how would you proceed with hooking that up? Would you connect the two transmission harness speed sensor wires to it?
The transfer case does not have a speed sensor on the newer models. The only wiring coming from the transfer case is for the motor.
Gray/Red and DB/Y from the OSS go directly to the PCM pins 91 and 84 via the engine/transmission wiring harness. Gray/Black Pin 68 leaves PCM and heads to the bulky connector on the side of the engine. Gray/Black then heads through the firewall via the chassis harness and is then split between the 4WD control module, the GEM, and the instrument cluster (Speedometer input).
From what I can tell, the computer takes the 4wd low input from the 4wd control module and converts the speed signal internally and sends it out via Pin 68. The signal it sends just depends on whether the 4WD control module is sending that 4L signal.
^^^, Ok then that would make sense on my diagrams for 2001 and up 4WD
But old diagrams also showed same computer hookup to sense 4low
Maybe pin 68 didn't get seated in computer
Try cruise to see if it will hold speed, if not then no signal is coming out of pin 68
If you can read codes see if you have p0500, that means computer is not getting a speed signal from OSS
Alright, so I did a couple tests and I do not have cruise control. I also do not have a P0500 code.
I find this stuff interesting because I do not have a 3k rev limiter on this PCM, but at the same time the computer is still looking for the automatic transmission. I might be far off the mark here, but since the PCM is still looking for the auto, do you think could still be searching for a speedometer reading from the wrong pin? Meaning, it’s still looking for the speedo sensor reading for the auto which isn’t there anymore? I don’t have a pinout diagram for this PCM and I couldn’t find one for the 2001 V6 4.0L 4x4. So I could be going out on a limb with that.
Check out the codes I have:
Last edited by MDRanger96; Nov 18, 2019 at 11:07 AM.
Its possible that a 2001 automatic PCM without the connection to the trans wouldn't output a speed signal
Most swaps have been on 2000 and earlier, so wouldn't come up, PCM is end user of speed signal not source
You are not out of options, at anytime you can use a Dakota Digital SGI-5E interface, and use the rear axle speed sensor to get calibrated speedometer signal
People often use these just because they change tires sizes twice a year or more, lol, and can calibrate speedo easily
$85, but better to research this is bit more
I may be missing something in my wiring diagrams. I've been looking through the 03 book, but I realized when I did my swap that there are differences in 03. I need to pull out my 02 book and see if there's anything different because that book should be closer to the OP's truck.
Have you cleared the codes since the swap? If you're running a PCM meant for a manual, you shouldn't have any of those codes.
So, I did clear the codes and unfortunately they came right back. I'm beginning to wonder if I have a mutt PCM that Flagship 1 made for me but didn't totally get rid of the auto in it. Almost like they programmed the keys to it, got rid of the 3k rev limiter, and called it good. So I'm gonna give them a call today and see.
But I agree with you in that if it was a manual PCM I shouldn't be getting those codes.
Theoretically, if I had a manual PCM AND I wired up my OSS properly which I'm sure I did, I should be getting a reading on my speedo. Right? I'm wondering if this is strictly a PCM issue and if I had a PCM from a manual truck this wouldn't be happening.
I am trying to figure out where to start with this issue and that would be where the problem lies.
Its possible that a 2001 automatic PCM without the connection to the trans wouldn't output a speed signal
Most swaps have been on 2000 and earlier, so wouldn't come up, PCM is end user of speed signal not source
You are not out of options, at anytime you can use a Dakota Digital SGI-5E interface, and use the rear axle speed sensor to get calibrated speedometer signal
People often use these just because they change tires sizes twice a year or more, lol, and can calibrate speedo easily
$85, but better to research this is bit more
Agreed Ron, please see my above response to Fordzilla. I'm wondering if this problem lies within the PCM.
Ok I'll have to keep this in mind! Maybe I'll go with that if all else fails. Ideally I'd like to get this truck thinking that it is a manual (manual PCM). I can overlook it, but the flashing O/D Off light and CEL is kinda annoying lol.
I would think that CEL, flashing O/D off, and all those codes would go away if I had a PCM that was correct for my application. Also if that would fix the speedo issue. Like you said, it could be that an auto PCM doesn't put out a speedometer signal if not connected to the trans. Hmm.
Last edited by MDRanger96; Nov 19, 2019 at 08:15 AM.
Yes, they(FS1), sent you the wrong PCM for a manual trans vehicle, for sure
I spoke with them, they're giving me a return shipping label to send it back since they didn't program it for a manual like I asked them to do. They said they'd fix it. I'll use my stock PCM until the new one gets here. It won't be any different from using the incorrect one lol.
So I sent my FS1 PCM back to them and they're telling me that they need a VIN from a donor vehicle to program the PCM for a manual.
The problem: I didn't use a donor vehicle that matches my truck.
I believe that if I gave them a VIN from a 2001 Ranger with a V6 and 4x4 just with a manual in it, my truck would still work. I am pretty sure I wouldn't have any PATS issues either too since the PCM comes with keys programmed to it.
It sounds to me like the way FS1 programs their PCMs is they type in a VIN and it automatically programs the computer to the specifications that the VIN defines. I was hoping to have my original VIN would be associated with this PCM but I got to thinking.....does it really matter...?
Anybody have any thoughts on this? I might just give them a manual 01 VIN and see if it works. If it doesn't I'll return it and consider other ideas.
The VIN numbers proper don't spec trans type, the serial number(production sequence number) at the end of the VIN does spec trans type and option package when new
There is no manual or automatic "code number", that's only found with the whole serial number, digits 12 to 17 in the VIN, trans type is not a single number designation
So yes you would need the whole VIN from a manual trans Ranger for that year
The way they are doing it is the same way that Ford would do it.
The vin in my computer does not match the vin on the truck. Made no difference for me but it may make a difference in a state requiring inspections if for some reason they inspector notices the vin on his scanner doesn't match the vin on the body. Not sure what kind of info is required for an inspection, or if that's something that would cause you to fail.
The way they are doing it is the same way that Ford would do it.
The vin in my computer does not match the vin on the truck. Made no difference for me but it may make a difference in a state requiring inspections if for some reason they inspector notices the vin on his scanner doesn't match the vin on the body. Not sure what kind of info is required for an inspection, or if that's something that would cause you to fail.
When you had your PCM programmed did you have to go out and find yourself a VIN that would work for your truck? Or was the person who programmed it able to just make one up that would work? I'm wondering if I'll need to go out and find a VIN that works for me from another 2001 that has a manual, V6 4.0.
The VIN numbers proper don't spec trans type, the serial number(production sequence number) at the end of the VIN does spec trans type and option package when new
There is no manual or automatic "code number", that's only found with the whole serial number, digits 12 to 17 in the VIN, trans type is not a single number designation
So yes you would need the whole VIN from a manual trans Ranger for that year