Speedometer still not working - whats left to check?

[arownious]

So in following the tech page, and then the sticky page I have swapped the VSS and the fuses for both the instrument panel and the speedometer. Two separate fuses in two separate places.

I'm fairly certain the cable is working as the Check Engine light was on before replacing the VSS and now its off with the VSS shoved in. It took some hard pressing to get it in too.

What is left to check? Could it be the transmission? VSS not in right? Is there a gear or transistor or something in the instrument panel that needs replacing? I'm lost and this is so friggin annoying.

 

[martin]

If you have cruise control, does the cruise work?

 

[arownious]

No cruise control on my truck.

 

[martin]

If it's not throwing any codes you would have to assume the vss is working. Don't know what to tell you other than to see if you can find the schematics for the truck and then trace where the speedo get its signal, feed and ground.

 

[_BEYONDER_]

your speedo is electric or mechanical?

If Electric, test the sensor, there should be instructions in your book for your truck on how to test with a multimeter. If not, I can look for you...

If mechanical, the cable might be buggered.

 

[98Mazda4X4]

you can check the govener gear in your transmission that will consist of you taking off the extension housing and looking at the gear or it might be on the side of your transmission. I'm not to sure on the ranger where it is.

 

[_BEYONDER_]

If it's not throwing any codes you would have to assume the vss is working. Don't know what to tell you other than to see if you can find the schematics for the truck and then trace where the speedo get its signal, feed and ground.

The VSS should have 2 wires on it :

Pink/Orange This runs to the case ground ( PCM ) as well to a ground on to the Top Center Of The Left Fender Apron.

Grey/Black This runs the the VSS spot on the PCM, as well as to the Engine control sensor harness, near break out to the throttle position sensor.

Another thaught, is this a 5speed or an auto?

 

[arownious]

Its a 5 speed. Mazda MD50-R1 I believe.

I really don't think its the VSS cable as the check engine light was on before I replaced the unit and now its not.

 

[_BEYONDER_]

Its a 5 speed. Mazda MD50-R1 I believe.

I really don't think its the VSS cable as the check engine light was on before I replaced the unit and now its not.

So what happened with the speedo? did it quit working at the same time as the VSS? Is there any movement at all? I dont remember how, but there is a way to reset your guage cluster. I recently did mine in my explorer, when i was pulling the cluster out it reset itself and the speedo started working on its own again. But that could have been pure luck, and mine had been wound right around. Long story short I ended up changeing the entire cluster. So there are 2 or 3 things that i can think of baring electrical, that may not throw a code ( this is assuming youve pulled the codes and found none ). Possibly your speedo is hooped, a new one should run you maybe 50-75.00 at a wrecker. The speedo cable is buggered somewhere, or possibly the gear in the tranny is busted. I would assume though that there would be some sort of noise if the gear were broken. It may help to know more about the events that led to your speedo not working.
I'll look and see if i can find how to reset your speedo...no guarentees though.

 

[arownious]

Well I bought it like that. I'm planning on getting a replacement cluster off of ebay, a 2001 Explorer Sport dash actually and hopefully it wont have the same issues.

There is a vibration in the transmission usually on certain gears when I shift but does not effect driving. It just sounds like a brrrrraaang really quickly for about 3 seconds right after i shift to the gear on like 2nd and third gear then it stops.

If you can figure out how to reset the cluster that would be awesome. Was it like an electronic reset button like on a wifi router or was it a mechanical type of reset?

 

[_BEYONDER_]

IT was something like the diagnostic. You held the trip button when it was off, and when you turned the key to the on position you had to release it within 3 seconds. It didn't work for me the first dozen times i tried, but i had the screws out,etc already and tugged on the cluster and it reset itself. I ended up changing the cluster though because the speedo wasnt accurate at all....lol, going 60 through town it would jump to 120 and come back for no reason,etc. ( The speedo had been wound right around ).


I looked it up, your tranny making noise could be : Low gear oil, loose bellhouse bolts, Worn bearings or gears. Is it noisy shifting forward or is it shifting down as well? Also is it hard shifting?

 

[arownious]

Thanks for the update, and thanks for the tranny info. Wasn't expecting that =). It shifts great and smooth. I just changed the tranny fluid out a few days ago with the exact manufacturers amount. Before it wayyyyy too much and came pouring out the VSS hole when I replaced it. Was chocolate milk.

It may be the loose bellhouse bolts. I read that somewhere else, but I guess I'll have to research how to tighten them. Its like a vibration ring and I've heard it before on several older vehicles.

I just ordered a 01 Sport Trac replacement instrument cluster off a vehicle with 61k miles. $50 and a 30 day guarantee that everything works on it. We'll see if I can't get all my problems resolved.

 

[_BEYONDER_]

Ah, i dont know much about trannys, i looked it up on mitchells. I normally do them up as tight as possible, but I can look up the torque specs when i get home ( on the road for a few days now ).

 

[arownious]

Fixed it. Took replacing the entire unit with a newer 01 instrument panel.