Speedometer jumps around. November 25, 2016, 01:43:39 pm G'day everyone.My 96 FL is acting up again as to the speedometer jumping around. Last time this happened it was the speed sensor in the rear differential that needed replaced at a cost of $20, so easy enough to do myself. Well, it's happening again and so I just put another speed sensor in and test drove it around a little and it seems better but when I get to about 65 mph it jumps around still, but not as bad as the violent swings of before. This was just a short 4 mile run so maybe a longer drive on the interstate will tell me more.However, I thought I'd ask if anyone has any experience with this issue? I think there is another speedometer sensor on the transmission but not sure of it's function or if replacing will be just throwing money at the problem. My Scanguage has not shown a code, even when the overdrive light started blinking and the transmission was shifting strange.How to proceed without seeking professional help?Thanks.Jota
Re: Speedometer jumps around. Reply #1 – November 25, 2016, 02:51:54 pm The old school fix for this was to pour some graphite powder into the speedo cable. Probably those things no longer exist and it's now some kind of computerized magic that can't help but go wrong. fu2015 TK
Re: Speedometer jumps around. Reply #2 – November 26, 2016, 10:16:06 am After further testing, the speed sensor seems to be working correctly. Took the RV for a longer ride on the interstate and while the speedo isn't rock steady it is not causing problems anymore.Jota
Re: Speedometer jumps around. Reply #3 – November 26, 2016, 10:32:55 am "...some kind of computerized magic that can't help but go wrong."-----And that few can figure out how to diagnose and/or repair! Joan
Re: Speedometer jumps around. Reply #4 – December 02, 2016, 08:00:00 pm Looks like I spoke too soon.Jumping all over the place again, however, after a little more research I now think there is something wrong in the rear differential. Reading about the symptoms more, I find that the ABS tone ring can get damaged and it seems that might be the case. My ABS light has been on since I bought this almost 10 years ago. I have decided to let the professionals have at it and being in Tucson, getting an appointment takes some time.The 12th. is the soonest I can get it in so I am staying put for a bit until I can get this sorted out.I can drive the RV around just can't go over about 50 mph or the speedo goes crazy. Good thing I have my motorcycle to do my running around on..
Re: Speedometer jumps around. Reply #5 – January 11, 2017, 07:49:19 pm Quote from: Jota - December 02, 2016, 08:00:00 pmLooks like I spoke too soon.Jumping all over the place again, however, after a little more research I now think there is something wrong in the rear differential. Reading about the symptoms more, I find that the ABS tone ring can get damaged and it seems that might be the case. My ABS light has been on since I bought this almost 10 years ago. I have decided to let the professionals have at it and being in Tucson, getting an appointment takes some time.The 12th. is the soonest I can get it in so I am staying put for a bit until I can get this sorted out.I can drive the RV around just can't go over about 50 mph or the speedo goes crazy. Good thing I have my motorcycle to do my running around on..How did this ever turn out? And a note if it gets bad enough the transmission won't shift..Garry
Re: Speedometer jumps around. Reply #6 – January 12, 2017, 11:34:41 am I took it into the Ford dealer in Tucson. They diagnosed that the aftermarket speed sensor was not working correctly.Replaced with factory Ford part and it fixed the problem. So, the $20 aftermarket ones (I tried two) are not as good as the $50 Ford unit. The service rep told me that Ford has had issues with this in the past and made a speed sensor that made up for the clearance problem. They no longer make it so I am glad this one works as well as it does.Also changed out the rear end fluid as a precaution, there were some metal shavings attached to the magnet on the sensor.
Re: Speedometer jumps around. Reply #7 – January 12, 2017, 08:08:12 pm Did it fix your ABS light problem also. Thanks Jody
Re: Speedometer jumps around. Reply #8 – January 12, 2017, 11:44:52 pm No. The ABS light is a different issue. One I'm told would likely cost thousands to repair correctly.
Re: Speedometer jumps around. Reply #9 – January 13, 2017, 12:34:41 am Jota,Recently, my ABS light lit up on my 2002 Toyoyta Sequoia while my daughter was driving it (perhaps I already posted this reply, forgive me if I'm repeating myself).I removed the gas cap and screwed it back on (this turned the ABS light off for several days) after looking at the Catalytic Converter Sensors for wear. They were fine having been recently replaced.I checked on line and YouTube and found that a bad seal on the gas cap may be the culprit. I ordered a new cap from Rock Auto and installed it. That was a few months ago and the ABS light has not come back on.Cheap fix for around $15. Don't know what's up with your ABS but I took a gamble on the gas cap and so far it has paid off.Good luck.Kent 1 Likes
Re: Speedometer jumps around. Reply #10 – January 13, 2017, 04:24:58 am Hi Kent. Catalytic sensors would be what? Maybe O2 sensors. The pre-heaters usually wear out on those. But they would set the CEL (Check Engine Light), not the ABS light. As far as Jota's problem, the rear axle speed sensor runs the electric speedometer, which is also crucial for the ABS computer. If the new sensor didn't help then the problem could be in the electrically actuated brake fluid valves, or the computer. Most likely the wiring interconnects. Some newer code readers will also read ABS codes. RonB
Re: Speedometer jumps around. Reply #11 – January 05, 2018, 09:01:28 pm Hi Everyone,Thanks to guidance on this thread, a few others, and you tube, I successfully tackled this problem last fall 2017. If I can do this, anyone who can put a wrench on a nut and turn it (hard, and in the correct direction) can do this fix! The wacky speedometer readings were the beginning, and then transmission shifts started being affected a few hundred miles later when we were driving home after the eclipse.A few points:1. It did fix our ABS light which turned on sporadically during the months before - a mechanic had checked the brakes and said about the light "it may be a sensor problem."2. Buy the OEM part to (hopefully) avoid having a cheaper part fail. - the OEM part is about $40 bucks, vs $20...3. When you are lying on your back under your rig, removing this sensor from the top of your differential, make sure you are turning the wrench (or ratchet) in the correct direction! You might also be pounding the ratchet with a hammer btw...4. I used my cell phone camera to take a picture of the of the part i was trying to remove, as I could not see the whole thing from my angle on the ground. It helped. 5. In the end an offset wrench was the right tool for me. The ratchet kept coming off when hit hard. I didn't own a offset wrench set, but now I do!5. Conversely, I could have paid 1 - 1.5 hours labor to have the job done... No big deal but I liked the basic challenge and was concerned about being "advised" that I had much more serious (aka expensive) troubles with my rig, such as having to replace the instrument cluster as others here have done...Many hundreds of miles later, all remains good on this repair.Good Luck Folks!Pete 1 Likes
Re: Speedometer jumps around. Reply #12 – January 06, 2018, 11:25:28 am Quote from: Peter Weisel - January 05, 2018, 09:01:28 pmHi Everyone,Thanks to guidance on this thread, a few others, and you tube, I successfully tackled this problem last fall 2017. If I can do this, anyone who can put a wrench on a nut and turn it (hard, and in the correct direction) can do this fix! The wacky speedometer readings were the beginning, and then transmission shifts started being affected a few hundred miles later when we were driving home after the eclipse.A few points:1. It did fix our ABS light which turned on sporadically during the months before - a mechanic had checked the brakes and said about the light "it may be a sensor problem."2. Buy the OEM part to (hopefully) avoid having a cheaper part fail. - the OEM part is about $40 bucks, vs $20...3. When you are lying on your back under your rig, removing this sensor from the top of your differential, make sure you are turning the wrench (or ratchet) in the correct direction! You might also be pounding the ratchet with a hammer btw...4. I used my cell phone camera to take a picture of the of the part i was trying to remove, as I could not see the whole thing from my angle on the ground. It helped. 5. In the end an offset wrench was the right tool for me. The ratchet kept coming off when hit hard. I didn't own a offset wrench set, but now I do!5. Conversely, I could have paid 1 - 1.5 hours labor to have the job done... No big deal but I liked the basic challenge and was concerned about being "advised" that I had much more serious (aka expensive) troubles with my rig, such as having to replace the instrument cluster as others here have done...Many hundreds of miles later, all remains good on this repair.Good Luck Folks!PeteWhat part are you referring to? I thought from your earlier post in this thread that Ford replaced the speed sensor and that fixed the problem.Jim 1 Likes
Re: Speedometer jumps around. Reply #13 – January 06, 2018, 12:31:21 pm I am referring to the speed sensor. I think someone else posted in another thread that they had Ford fix it. Peye
Re: Speedometer jumps around. Reply #14 – January 06, 2018, 01:37:43 pm Quote from: Peter Weisel - January 06, 2018, 12:31:21 pmI am referring to the speed sensor. I think someone else posted in another thread that they had Ford fix it. PeyeThanks. However, these posts are showing up in a thread that was started a year ago.Jim
Re: Speedometer jumps around. Reply #15 – January 06, 2018, 02:02:31 pm "What part are you referring to? I thought from your earlier post in this thread that Ford..."JimPerhaps you were thinking of my post wherein I said that I had had my speed sensor replaced. But, in my case, it was not Ford, but a private company who services my LD, Timmons Truck Service & Repair, in Pleasant Hill, CA.
Re: Speedometer jumps around. Reply #16 – January 06, 2018, 02:53:39 pm Quote from: Lazy Bones - January 06, 2018, 02:02:31 pm"What part are you referring to? I thought from your earlier post in this thread that Ford..."JimPerhaps you were thinking of my post wherein I said that I had had my speed sensor replaced. But, in my case, it was not Ford, but a private company who services my LD, Timmons Truck Service & Repair, in Pleasant Hill, CA. Steve, if you scroll to the top of the thread this started 2 years ago with jota. You don't appear in the thread until today. Peter's first post was yesterday in the thread and I mistakenly assumed he and jota were the same since I didn't pay close attention to the poster. I'm guessing that Peter started another thread on this topic earlier. Anyway, my mistaken assumption unless everyone else is seeing a different thread which I guess could be happening.Jim 1 Likes
Re: Speedometer jumps around. Reply #17 – January 06, 2018, 09:13:49 pm "...a different thread which I guess could be happening."Different thread!I posted "Not so solid ABS Light" in May of 2017 about my speed sensor replacement.
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