No speedometer

Electrical problem
2000 Ford Windstar 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 130000 miles

Heater and speedometer stopped working and I don't know why.

I had the same problem on my 2000 Windstar not too long ago. I was informed by local mechanic that it was actually a warranty issue.
I thought my brake cylinder was bad, but it turned out to be the brake pressure switch and it kept blowing fuses. I replaced it and haven't had any trouble since.

Hope this helps!

I had the same issue in my 2000 windstar but for me the problem was break fluid dripping onto my cruise control harness and shorting out the items running on that fuse. Speedometer, cruise control, heater etc. After disconnecting the CC harness no more problems but also no more CC. :-0)

1999 Ford Windstar mileage: 92,000. Recently we had another new transmission replaced (the second one in less than a year and the warranty had just went out on the first one) in our van. They also replaced the speedometer cable, after reaching 40 mph it was swinging back and forth between 40-65 mph making it difficult to get an accurate speed (that didn't work). My question is do we need to have the speedometer head replaced/rebuilt and will that damage the transmission if we don't get it done right away?

The speedometer problem may be caused by the speedometer cable binding or the speedometer head itself. If it is the cable, other than the uneven speed reading, it should cause no problems. If it is the head, it may break the new cable.

OK - I know - you buy a used car, you buy someone else's problems. That being said. I bought a 98 windstar with a non-functioning speedo. Thought to myself that it can either be (1) bass VSS, (2) bad speedo, or (3) bad speedo cable. So, I checked the VSS visually and looks good, checked with tester, reads good. Plugged in the actron and ran the current data and vehicle speed is being passed properly to the OBD. Must be the speedo. So, I take off the speedo and replace, still no go. Notice that not only is there not a speedometer cable in this van, there doesn't even seem to be any reasonable place for one to be. I know in 98 some Windstars had digital clusters and some had analog. Currently, this thing has analog, but the previous owner did some funky stuff in the past and replacing a digital with an analog seems right up their alley.

My question is either this: Should I just buy a speedo cable and run it to the cluster?
OR
Is there any way Ford can tell me off of the VIN if this thing did have a digital cluster to begin with
OR
Are the plugs the same in the back for the digital vs. Analog? If so, can I just get a digital one, plug it in, and ignore the speedometer cable altogether?

98 Windstar, 94683 miles. Speedo/Odometer not working, speed is being sent properly to the computer, though.

Justanold - you may have solved this (if not, you sure know a hell of alot more than every stroke I have talked to at the three dealerships around me and gave me something to look at it). I will run up right now and check this out and let you know what I find

OK - first thing, no fuse at 35 - owner's manual shows it as not used. There is a fuse (15A) at 25 that is OK. So then I checked the cluster connections and I have voltage on all of the right places and a good ground on it. Here is a pic of the back of the cluster that I removed...

And a closeup of where I think the speedo cable should be:

My concern is that I don't see any evidence that a cable used to be in there... but I looked at the back of a digital cluster from a 97 and the connections seem different than the two clips I have there. Any thoughts?

Build date 6/98. Engine 3.8L v6
So, I started checking connections and I have a subscription to Alldata for this van. So far, troubleshooted stepsF1-F5. Got to F6 which told me to check resistance on C397 for less than 5 ohms in run. I'm at 6 ohms. Now here is where the trouble comes in. It says to service 397 and retest. I have experience in electronics (primarily guitar and amp repair, stereo stuff, etc.). If it tells me to service 397, do they want to have me replace the cable? Or can I put a resistor inline to bring it below 5 ohms?

F78F-10C956 - B
That looks like the part number (right on the PCB)

As far as an accident. I bought the van used. No serious accidents from what I could tell. It does look like at one point there was a minor front end impact which required a replace and respray of the front bumper.

It's hard getting a clear picture... all of these were taken with the camera sitting on the floor so I can't get a good wide angle. I hope these help. If not, let me know more specifically what you're looking for and I can see what I can do. Thanks!

Wow. OK - so that worked. I have no idea why because my chilton's book, my alldata, and my haynes as well as the owner's manual mention 35 as not used. So, now can I ask what that fuse controls so I can make a note in my stuff?

On a side note, you have no idea how relieved I am. I have been messing with this for three days. Four different Ford dealers have told me that I needed a speedo cable, needed to replace the VSS (even though I was getting speed info from the computer), and needed to replace the cluster with a new one. I did replace the cluster (boneyard part) because the last one looked pretty bad (black tar type substance in it) but I have been at wits end and testing each connection, etc.
:D

Hey there. I want to give you good feedback but I only have.3 of a point. How do I get more points to give you some positive feedback?

Electrical problem
2000 Ford Windstar 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

the speedometer does not work

Computer problem
1999 Ford Windstar 6 cyl All Wheel Drive Automatic 89000 miles

Speedometer quit working and the odometer just shows all dashes. What might have happened?

Its sounds like the VSS went bad. Vehicle speed sensor