1999 Ford Windstar Speed Sensor

BRIANFOOTE

MEMBER
1999 FORD WINDSTAR
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
140,000 MILES

My Windstar stays in 1st gear until you go about 2 blocks and at least 20mph. Then it finally shifts normally, but the over-drive indicator light flashes on and off for as long as you drive it. This situation occurs everytime the engine is started despite its temperature.
I was trying to replace the speed sensor. I removed the exhaust pipes and set it aside; removed the heat shield for transmission. Where my shop manual said there would be a speed sensor, looks more like a temp sensor. It looks NOTHING like the book or the replacement sensor I bought. Where IS the speed sensor supposed to be?

1 Reply

SCHRIMPIEMAN

MECHANIC
166 POSTS

You're looking at it all right. It looks like a temp sensor, but it's the VSS.

On some models, you can access the 10-mm mounting bolt by removing the exhaust pipes as you describe. Other models, you'll need to remove the passenger wheel, remove the motor mount nearest the output shaft where the CV joint plugs into. When you remove the motor mount, you'll have a much clearer view of the VSS.

I usually don't bother with the exhaust system. Too much trouble. Jack the engine up and remove the motor mount.