Speed-o-meter is wonky

[BigAssTim]

So, my speedometer and cruise control are acting up. I hear there are two possible sensors and a cable that could be the culprit. I have the rear diff sensor already to go in. I need to know about the transmission sensor and cable. When it comes to sensors/cables like these, I will only by original equiptment, i.e. Motorcraft. When I search for a replacement, it tells me the Motorcraft is for the "electric instrument panel" only. How can I be sure that is what I have? Since its the only Motorcraft option I see for my year of truck on the web, should I just assume its right? When I look at the sensor on the transmission, I see a cable and a 2 wire connector. Is it manual because of the cable or electronic or.... Help!?


Tim

1994 Ranger 4.0 XLT 4x4

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I’m going to say your speedometer is cable driven if there’s a cable attached at the back of the trans. The two wire sensor would be your reverse sensor then. The sensor in the rear axle is ABS.

If it’s not cable driven (cable attaches at the tailshaft), then there is a speed sensor.

Speedometers can be off by changing tire size and/or gear ratios. Or like the electric one in my F-150 it gets a bounce to it over about 45mph. It’s old and I don’t worry too much about it, lol.

I want to say that year would still have had the vacuum driven cruise. In that case, check your vacuum lines carefully for leaks, one leak and it messes up the whole system.

 

[black_demon69]

you will have one of these speed sensors that your speedometer cable hooks to. https://www.rockauto.com/info/154/SC37_Front__ra_p.jpg [for some reason listings for the 94 think it is electrical speedometer and it isn't]
there is a small plastic cap in the end that can be removed in order to insert cable. you can inspect the speedometer cable housing for damage. the cable can be pulled from cable housing and be inspected for wear then cleaned and lubricated by pulling instrument cluster.. you should inspect the speedo drive gear and the speedo driven gear. [drive gear] https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https://transmissioncenter.net/shop/ford-ranger-explorer-7-tooth-drive-gear-speedometer-drive-gear/&psig=AOvVaw3FvhriwImfg9yzCdFOKcPw&ust=1600637132172000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCMCx35OU9usCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD [driven gear] https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-NEW-Ford-Speedometer-Gear-19-Teeth-Pink-CODZ17271B-Speedo-Drive-/272843033490&psig=AOvVaw3FvhriwImfg9yzCdFOKcPw&ust=1600637132172000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCMCx35OU9usCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAJ

 

[RonD]

If BOTH speedo and cruise are acting up in a 1994 Ranger then it could be a couple of things
Speedo just uses the cable
Cruise just uses the VSS(sensor)
These are both attached to the same gear inside the transmission, or transfer case if 4WD.

If the cable has a broken wire inside it can catch and release while spinning causing speedo needle to bounce, this may or may not effect VSS by causing it to change as well since they are connected in the housing at transfer case(4WD)

Or it could be the gear inside the transfer case, the Driven Gear
Unbolt the speedo cable/VSS unit and pull it out, have a look at the gear
Also take a picture inside transfer case to see the Worm gear, the Drive Gear

You can use a drill on speedo cable, removed from VSS unit, and see if needle bounces, if so then cable is the issue

And you can use a drill on the gear drive, speedo cable attached, to see if it the VSS unit