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Speedometer goes to zero and shifting is erratic.

Tiny
FAITHTALKER1
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 FORD RANGER
  • 54,000 MILES
Comes and goes. Mechanic says speed sensor in trans. $2000 to repair? I have read several sites and can only find a few that even talk about a mechanical sensor inside the transmission. From all I read it sounds like the one on the rear differential due to the abs light stays on all the time as well. When the speed o is working everything seems fine but abs light still on. Is there also a sensor on the transfer case of the transmission as well? He says there is not. But with everything I read it says there is one located either on the top of the tail shaft or on the drivers side of the transmission. Help as I do not want to get ripped off for $2000 if it is a $40.00 part that I can repair myself. I have a moderate income at best and cannot afford this costly of a repair. I have not seen anywhere that a mechanical sensor was bad under these conditions, and with that low of mileage?
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Saturday, October 1st, 2011 AT 6:30 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
If you have automatic 4wd, there is a sensor on the transfer case. The one on the rear diff is a speed sensor also, but it is there for the ABS. If your speedo is not working properly and you have an odd shifting problem, chances are the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) is bad. It tells the computer the vehicle speed, which in turn tells the speedo how fast you are going and the transmission when to shift based on load, speed.
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Saturday, October 1st, 2011 AT 6:40 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
DIFFERENT GUY

NOT MUCH ON AUTOMATICS

I CAN, HOWEVER, GET DIAGRAMS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT AID YOU, EVEN WIRE DIAGRAMS. I TOO AM A DIYer AND GO TO THE EXTREME TO SAVE MONEY AND STAY OUT OF A SHOP!

1ST I GOTTA HAVE ALL OF THE INFO FOR YOURS---I COULD SPEND A YEAR SENDING YOU EVERY DIAGRAM THEY HAVE, AND REALLY JUST CONFUSE YOU MORE!

I ALSO AM SORTA PALS WITH THE BEST AUTOMATIC GUY IN A 30 MILE RADIUS!

GOTTA KNOW STUFF LIKE THIS----ENGINE--4X4-TRANNY MODEL (LOOK FOR A TAG) SAME WITH A TRANSFER CASE

I AM SLOW, SO BEAR WITH ME

LET'S NOT GET TOO UPSET, IF I JUST AIN'T PERFORMING A MIRACLE EITHER!

RUN ME OFF, AT ANY POINT!

I MAY TELL YOU WHAT I'M SEEING, BUT IN THE END, YOU'LL HAVE TO INTERPRET THE DIAGRAMS.I AM NOT A AUTOMATIC KINDA GUY!

YOUR TURN

THE MEDIC
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Saturday, October 1st, 2011 AT 7:04 PM
Tiny
FAITHTALKER1
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Jacobandnicolas is that vss inside the transmission, I.E. Mechanical or just a surface mount sensor somewhere. It is not a 4x4 and has a 3.0 v6 engine.(Medic) I will have to check on the transmission and get back with ya. Right now the vehicle is in the shop and supposed to check and clean the connection on the rear differential just to check and see if bad connection still just don't see #2000.00 repair. I have checked some other sites that say the speed sensor is on the drivers side of the transmission? Is a vss not the same as the automatic transmission speed senso?
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Saturday, October 1st, 2011 AT 9:26 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
Really need that number to get the right diagrams--Google your VIN, see if that tells you the typ tranny

The Medic
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Saturday, October 1st, 2011 AT 11:10 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Medic is right. I can tell you there is a speed sensor on the top of the rear differential. It could be causing issues for you.
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Saturday, October 1st, 2011 AT 11:25 PM
Tiny
FAITHTALKER1
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
As soon as I get it back from the shop I will get that info. Thanks for your willingness to help.
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Sunday, October 2nd, 2011 AT 5:21 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Glad to help. You could check on the side of the transmission too. It will be an electrical sensor that looks like an oil sending unit.
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Sunday, October 2nd, 2011 AT 8:00 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
MY TRANNY GUY WAS BUSY, I THINK I SQUEEZED THIS MUCH OUT OF HIM,

IF I CAUGHT THIS RIGHT, HE SAID THERE IS A "OUTPUT" SENSOR ON THE REAR (AS J&N SAID), AND AN "INPUT" ON TOP OF THE TRANNY

WITH PROPER NOMENCLATURE, MIGHT FIND THE CORRECT DIAGRAMS

THE MEDIC
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Wednesday, October 5th, 2011 AT 1:33 AM
Tiny
FAITHTALKER1
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks guys so much I think I got her figured out. Due to the ABS light being on everything pointed to the sensor on the rear differential housing, Cleaned first and vehicle doing a lot better, but ABS light still on. Now I am sure this is the problem and very cheap any way if it isn't neither one of the two sensors is over $30.00 However as I said I had a mechanic here that I think may have been trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill so to speak. (In no means including all mechanics in this) but just like in every profession you have dishonest people in this world. I did find out there is possibly a mechanical sensor that is gear driven in the tranny, however nearly never ever goes bad. Thanks again I will update as soon as I get time to put on the new part.
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Wednesday, October 5th, 2011 AT 2:41 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Let us know. Just FYI, the sensor on the rear differential is both a speed sensor and functions as the ABS sensor.
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Wednesday, October 5th, 2011 AT 3:23 AM

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