Wiring in my Dakota Digital Speedometer

[540milotalon]

Wiring in my Dakota Digital 1996 Ranger
1996 Ranger, 1999 5.0 Explorer, engine, tranny and rear diff.
I am getting to the completion stage, Electric fans working, rad hoses look good, Electric fuel has been working. Dual exhaust in and was that a $$$$ surprise?
Bed is back on, trailer hitch ordered and installed, step bumper brackets made.
Tach is rewired but I am wondering the best way to tie in the the Dakota Digital speedometer?

I figure 2 wires from the Explorer diff coming in and that is where I am not sure? What do I tie into the "out 1" and "out 2"?
Also, if the VSS creates an electrical signal, do I need to run a hot and ground to the device?

 

[RonD]

I assume you mean the dakota speed interface unit, not an actual speedometer

Yes, unplug connector and test both wires at the rear axle ABS sensor, one will show as a Ground using OHM meter
Tap both wires, and run the two wires into the cab, hooking them up to sensor speed IN +(not 5v) and -(ground)

While you are under there a 1996 Ranger should have had a VSS sensor on the transmission(2wd) or transfer case(4wd), so it's 2 wire plug will be there, test it the same as above, one will be a ground, you just need the one that is not a ground, tap that wire and run it into the cab as well

The speedometer, computer and cruise are already grounded so just need the 1 wire OUT for the speed signal, the 8,000PPM AC signal
Connect that to the 1 wire from the VSS sensor, since VSS was already connected to the speedo and cruise
You may need to splice a wire to the computers pin 58, grey/black wire, so computer gets speed signal, you will get code P0500 if its not getting that signal
Explorers used the 4WABS module for speed signal to pin58 so that wire would be unhooked in Ranger


You do need to hook up the dakota unit to Key on 12volt power, and a Ground
The ABS or VSS sensors do output AC Volts, but .5v to 5v AC so not enough to run anything and no amps its just a sine wave pulse

 

[540milotalon]

I have been tied up on another couple things, start tomorrow. There is no longer any VSS plug from tranny. The 5.0 and tranny from Explorer has it's own harness with no tailshaft wiring/sensor. The Explorer rear diff has the VSS similar to the old Ranger rear diff. Wiring still running down frame rail to 42(?) pin connector that ties into 42 pin connector that feeds 102 pin connector at PCM.

If I understand correctly, I need to tie into VSS wiring from rear, tie into Dakota and then tie into wiring going to PCM so it shits trans and backfeeds speedometer? Is this close?

 

[RonD]

Yes, rear axle sensors 2 wires are spliced and run to the SGI unit
Then 1 wire OUT of 8,000ppm AC connection to explorer computer pin 58

Also 1 wire OUT to grey/black wire on speedo or grey/black wire on OLD VSS sensor plug under the truck

 

[540milotalon]

Additional issues. I ran 2 new wires tied into the VSS and ran them in a loom to the engine compartment then into cab. Wired in to the SGI-100BT Key on/ignition and grd.
VSS wires from rear - positive side "input" with grd. wire to "spd-". I found a gray with black tracer hooked in to speedo harness terminal connector and appeared to be same gray/black tracer on pin 58. I ran a splice jumper from the output of SGI to this wire.

I have been on the phone with tech support several times trying to program this device. Right now the tech has left for the day and I still am showing 43 mph on speedo with my GPS/phone showing 30mph.

The trans will not shift. If I manually drop into 1st gear, (the trans is the 4R70W I believe/factory 1999 5.0 Explorer) I can start off, shift up manually and I can tell she shifts but only once did it manually shift into drive, then it immediately down shifted into second. If I start out in OD on gear shift she takes off in 2nd and never changes. Earlier I could use the "OD" On/Off button on end of shifter and watch the dash light change on/off. The last trip I noticed it no longer would do this, either moving slow or after turning the key off and trying it again.

This is all new ground for me. And I appreciate every time you all have responded but I'm stuck again.

Of note: the truck is pretty peppy but rides like a buck board. The 8.8 Explorer rear has additional springs and '96 4X4 Ranger shocks.
At 45 mph by GPS/Phone there is NO vibration to be felt, so I feel good about the drivetrain mods.

 

[RonD]

So no more P0500 code?

Computer is now seeing a speed signal?

 

[540milotalon]

After checking codes with my Autoenginuity I find both P0500 and P0707.
Would I start troubleshooting as if it is a factory Explorer?
I wonder since someone else asked the question; Since I ran 2 wires from rear VSS and the wire at back of speedo is gray w/black tracer and same on #58, is it possible to just take the SGI-100BT out of the equation?
Explorer rear diff, Explorer tranny and computer and wiring is similar?

 

[540milotalon]

Speedometer is spot on now, odometer seems to be working. Truck is peppy but will not shift up out of second. Still researching. I did not clear codes nor checked for new ones. Any thoughts?

 

[540milotalon]

I took the TRS (Transmission Range Sensor) off the tranny and checked it against one out of box and it ohm'ed out different than the new one pin for pin.
It did not change a thing, still will not up-shift out of 2nd.
Cleared codes, they are back, P0500, P0707, P0453, P1400, and P1000. Truck runs pretty good but does have a noticeable lope. I know my vacuum hoses need a little finesse.

To tie in the Dakota Digital I spliced into both wires at rear diff after determining which was grd and ran those wire forward into cab in a separate plastic wire loom and tied into the device.
Speedo and odometer seem to be working correctly and spot on with GPS.

 

[RonD]

Good work, you got the speedo working OK

But you shouldn't have the P0500 if pin 58 on PCM is connected to dakota OUT, like speedo is, same grey/black wire

P1000 is OK if battery has been unhooked

EVAP(P0453) and EGR(P1400) codes wouldn't effect transmission

P0707 Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Low Input
Is an odd one, it uses the grey/red sensor wire(on all sensors) to tell computer what "gear" driver selected, so if there was an issue it should effect other sensors like TPS and ECT
Also wouldn't effect transmission shifting issue

 

[540milotalon]

I tied into the gray/black tracer going to #58 just before the 104 connector. I did not carry the grd through to #33(?)
Battery was recently unhooked but not after clearing codes and driving with scan device plugged in.
I can recheck all my connections and maybe run the VSS grd wire to #33 and see if that has any positive effect. I figured the PCM was grounded good.

Times like this I wish I had not dropped out of 2nd grade.

Thanks!

 

[540milotalon]

Also, this is a '99 engine/trans/rear with a '96 PCM because I had to do something to get around PATS.
I don 't know if any of that matters?

 

[RonD]

Just the fuel pressure was different between 1996 and 1999, but the V8 used the same 4R70W in both years

Yes, you could try VSS - at pin 33, it wasn't used in later years but maybe it was on a 1996

 

[540milotalon]

What it also be possible to wire in a tranny speed sensor? The tail shaft has a plastic block off plate with a hold down bolt. If tying in a set of wires from there gives me shift points I will do it. I have been trying to figure that out at the parts store as an experiment. I don’t know which OSS to use, or whether it will work if I find one.

 

[RonD]

1999 didn't use OSS, that was 2001 and up in Rangers and 2002 in Explorers I believe

A VSS was used on trans tail shafts, 8,000ppm signal, so direct connection to speedo/PCM
On the Ranger 4R and 5R autos the drive gear was machined into the tail shaft and I think it was the same for the 4R70W
So if you take out that plug and look inside you should see the metal drive gear(worm gear)

If its there then you could add Ford VSS sensor and driven gear, and get rid of the dakota unit

But since VSS wiring is not there you would still need hook it up to speedo and 1996 PCM pin 33 and 58
If the pin 33 hook up clears P0500 then not sure you would need to add the VSS to the trans tailshaft, if the dakota is working then why change it, its also adjustable if you change tire size down the road