A week ago after camping started home and noticed the speedo wasn't working. I looked around to see what I could have in store for me and the speed sensor popped up a bunch of time. The service manual said I should have a sensor on the trans, 1992 E150 5.0 motor, but there isn't one there. I have the sensor in the rear diff and is part of the ABS. I went ahead and swapped out the VSS in the rear end since it was easy and the original was still there. This didn't work so I am looking into other things that can be causing this thing not to work. All other cluster gauges are working so it is just affecting the speedo and odometer. My cruise control stopped a while back and after this happened I read that a speedo issue could also cause this. I can still drive the van using an app for speed so it is not a total loss of use. I also noticed that I have been getting some hard shifts into and out of OD. I will keep looking into this and take any suggestions if anyone else has an idea.

Thanks

 

Pretty sure the speedometer is driven by a cable from tail shaft of trans. If you disconnect the cable from the driver's side back of trans, you can rotate the inner cable and watch the speedo. If it works there is a problem with the part that is bolted , with one little bolt, to the trans. They are made of fiber and can strip out if there is a lot of resistance from a dry cable insert. You should have heard some noise if that cable insert was dry.

 

Thats the rub Hanky. On the tail piece of the trans is a bolt that is holding a blanking cover. Even the service manual said it should be there but it isn't. The only sensor is the one on the rear diff. Believe me I wish that I had the one on the trans and have looked all over hoping that it was broke off. I am going to pull my cluster out and see if there is a cable attached but I think it has the PSOM and an electric speedo and odometer.

 

I had the same problem with my odometer/trip meter not working on a '97 E150 5.4L It was a small plastic gear that resets the trip meter. It has been getting stiffer the past few years and I guess I pushed it one too many times. An automotive radio shop near me fixed it for $225. It's so common that they have it listed in their price list.

 

Is there any way you can see if there any codes in the vehicle computer?

I have some info for pinpoint tests, but it answers specific codes.
Did anybody run the quick tests?


Thexton makes a great little tool to get any codes and run dynamic tests from your vehicle's computer.

You can obtain it from , Tool Source for under $25.00 .Their # is; 1-888-220-8350.

 

I will read the codes in the next day or so. I know I have an egr code so it would be something that i need to do. My new concern it is the PSOM though i dont have some of the symptoms like a jumping speedo, but an inop speedo and odo. I know i can get a junkyard PSOM and that is a cheaper fix than sending it out to one of the repair companies. Downside is the odo reading comes with it. I know i only have a little over 108k miles so at that point i need a working part. I will read codes and get back on here.

 

Here we go. I got 2 for the egr, not my problem now, and 452 for the VSS. I need to pull the new one out of the diff and ohm it out to see if I got a bad one from O Reilly. Like I need a code to tell me I have a VSS issue. Hanky does your books sayanything about this?

 

All it states is , code and pinpoint test to determine problem.

 

This is a small loop as far as i can. All that is involved is the VSS in the rear diff and the PSOM on the back of the speedo. I ohmed out the new sensor and all data said I should be at 1.9 to 2 ohms. My old sensor was at 1.2.to 1.4 and the new one is reading about 1.18. So if the reading has to be 1.9 or higher then the new part is bad. If it has to be around 1.9 then it is good. Gut tells me to take this one back and get another. Plus I may just go to the junk yard this weekend and pull a PSOM from the back of a speedo and swap it out. All info said that clusters are one thing that need a little more matching but the PSOM is mostly universal up through 96 vans and trucks. I just need to get to the junk yard before someone gets to the few there and pulls out the cluster and sells it on ebay. I will check back.

 

Thank You for the update. Stick with it. I believe your reasoning is ,in my opinion, great.
Lets hope it is not a poor connection because you are going through a lot of trouble to correct the problem.