Speedometer stopped working?

Tiny
12586CHRIS
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 FORD ESCORT
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 108,000 MILES
Car was purchased new by my mother and has been very well maintained. She has always had every problem repaired as soon as she was told about it. She has had no really serious problems until now. The speedometer stopped working once in a while and it seemed like the car would not shift out of first gear. The problem started about a year ago, but only happened twice in the first year. Her mechanic said it probably needed a new transmission. He said to wait until it happened more often. After a year, the problem started happening all the time. It still works fine sometimes, but now the problem happens more often than not. She has to pull over about 3 times every couple of miles, so she can't really use the car anymore. Her original mechanic (the dealer) is out of business. Her new mechanic said he doesn't fix transmissions and sent her to a transmission specialist. The transmission specialist said it is probably not the transmission, but the speed sensor. He said it is rusted in place, and he can't remove it. He said the car should be junked. It ran perfectly before, and looks like new inside and out. It has no visible body rust, and no serious rust when we look underneath. Should it really be junked for this problem, or are we just dealing with a mechanic that doesn't know how to fix it, or doesn't want to be bothered? He said the speed sensor can't be removed without removing the transmission.
THANK YOU very much for your help. We don't have much money and can't afford a new car.
Chris
Sunday, November 1st, 2009 AT 1:08 AM

33 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi Chris,

Thank you for the donation.

The problem is most likely the Vehicle Speed Sensor and you could go back to your first mechanic to have it checked/replaced.
That would be the most likely cause rather than the transmission itself.

When the speed sensor malfunctions, the trans would shift erratically.
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Sunday, November 1st, 2009 AT 8:56 AM
Tiny
J.STIEG
  • MEMBER
  • 352 POSTS
  • 1997 FORD ESCORT
  • 100,000 MILES
I just put in a manuel transmission and the speedometer does not work. I would like to troubleshoot before getting a speed sensor.

Can I get a diagram? Thanks
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
CEL-Are you popping up with a code P0500?
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
J.STIEG
  • MEMBER
  • 352 POSTS
I did get that code(P0500) a few days ago, But that's because I forgot to plug the sensor in after I was done putting in transmission in.

So here is where I'm at I have the sensor plugged in and there are no codes yet after a few miles. Speedometer is still not functioning along with odometer of course.

I am observing that the odometer cluster is mechanical but speed sensor is NOT equipped with a cable. Is this origonal?
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the instrument cluster
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
J.STIEG
  • MEMBER
  • 352 POSTS
I guess my question is can there be a mechanical cluster that is cableless.
If there is, the cluster would have to be driven by some kind of servo motor?

I would like to see whats origonal, and then replace or repair the problem.
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
B ROBERTS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 FORD ESCORT
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 123,000 MILES
The speedometer in this car has started working intermittently and the car is not always shifting correcctly, the car shifts up and down when just straight driving. Thanks Brian
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BGPW5172
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
It may be that the speed sensor is failing, it only a plastic gear, that is on the end of the sensor after a while like lots of things it will wear out. It is located on the trans. Right above the pass. Side axel. If possible remove (this can be difficult) the part for visual inspection, thus you may need a new one. Prior to this you should make sure that it's not a electicle problem -no power to the sensor, or the the fuse that are one this circut are opperational.
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Inspect and test the VSS wire back to the computer and the sensor itself.
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
J.STIEG
  • MEMBER
  • 352 POSTS
Can you give me a diagram of the wiring.
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Sorry, I don't have it
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TERRY H.
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 FORD ESCORT
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 91,000 MILES
The lights on the instrument panel are dim and non-existent on the speedometer. How do I change or repair these lights?

Thank you.
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
TEST A - INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY(S) INOPERATIVE OR ERRATIC

1.Check METER fuse. See Fig. 4 . If fuse is okay, go to step 4). If fuse is blown, go to next step.

2.Turn ignition off. Replace 10A (15A wagon only) METER fuse. Turn ignition on and inspect fuse. If fuse fails again, go to next step. If fuse does not fail, go to step 4).

3.Turn ignition off. Remove instrument cluster. See INSTRUMENT CLUSTER under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Disconnect all (3) instrument cluster electrical connectors. Disconnect low coolant level warning sensor. Remove METER fuse. Measure resistance between bottom terminal (Black/Yellow wire) of METER fuse holder and ground. Resistance should be greater than 10 k/ohms. If resistance is greater than 10 k/ohms, go to next step. If resistance is less than 10 k/ohms, repair Black/Yellow wire(s) for short to ground. See WIRING DIAGRAMS .

4.Turn ignition ON. Measure voltage between ground and top terminal of METER fuse holder. Voltage should be greater than 10 volts. If voltage is greater than 10 volts, go to next step. If voltage is less than 10 volts, repair power feed for METER fuse. See WIRING DIAGRAMS .

5.Turn ignition off. Remove instrument cluster. See INSTRUMENT CLUSTER under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Disconnect all (3) cluster electrical connectors. Turn ignition on. Measure voltage between ground and Black/Yellow wire(s) on each instrument cluster harness connector. Voltage should be greater than 10 volts at each Black/Yellow wire. If voltage is greater than 10 volts, go to next step. If voltage is less than 10 volts, repair Black/Yellow wire(s) in question. See WIRING DIAGRAMS .

6.Turn ignition OFF. Measure resistance between ground and instrument cluster harness connector C1, terminal No. 5 (Black/Green wire). See Fig. 5 . Resistance should be less than 5 ohms. Measure resistance between ground and instrument cluster harness connector C2, terminal No. 7 (Blue wire). See Fig. 6 . Resistance should be less than 5 ohms. Measure resistance between ground and instrument cluster harness connector C3, terminals No. 7 (Black/Green wire) and No. 11 (Black wire). See Fig. 7 . Resistance should be less than 5 ohms.

7.If resistance is less than 5 ohms on all wires, replace instrument cluster printed circuit and gauge contact clips. See PRINTED CIRCUIT under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. If any resistance is more than 5 ohms, repair circuits in question. See WIRING DIAGRAMS .
Fig. 5: Identifying Instrument Cluster Harness Connector C1 Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Fig. 6: Identifying Instrument Cluster Harness Connector C2
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Fig. 7: Identifying Instrument Cluster Harness Connector C3
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_escorta_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_escortb_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_escortc_1.jpg



To do just the bulbs if that's all it needs follow this procedure.

INSTRUMENT PANEL - ANALOG -1997 Ford Escort LX

Removal & Installation

1.Remove instrument cluster. See INSTRUMENT CLUSTER . Remove 5 instrument cluster mask screws and remove mask and lens.

CAUTION:Handle gauges and components with care. Make no attempt to adjust indicator needles.

2.By pulling straight out, remove temperature gauge, fuel gauge, speedometer and tachometer (if equipped). Depress tang and remove instrument cluster gauge amplifier from rear of cluster. 3.Remove indicator and illumination bulbs from rear of instrument cluster. Remove gauge contact clips from rear of cluster by compress-ing clip ends together and pulling out. Discard clips. Carefully remove printed circuit from rear of instrument cluster. To install, reverse removal procedure using NEW gauge contact clips.

CAUTION:When removing gauge contact clips, DO NOT damage instrument cluster printed circuit.

9/21/2008


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_bulbs_1.jpg



Of course all you want to do is the bulbs, so do just them, leave the gauges and print circuit alone.

Thanks for using 2Carpros.com
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+1
Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DANYGDL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hello, I have a 1997 Ford Escort, and the fuel gauge doesn't work, they told me that I needed to replace exactly the piece that shows your last diagram #G97F28048. As far as I know, the capacitor burned, I just need to know the correct value. I tried to explained myself the best I could, :) I'm not a car-electrician.
Thanks
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JRC52577
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 FORD ESCORT
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 113,500 MILES
My speedometer has been acting erratically for about 6 months now. It started by jumping around occasionally at speeds above 40 mph but the speed indicator remained pretty close to accurate. Lately, it has been jumping around at all speeds and is basically worthless. When the problem really started getting bad, the cruise also quit working and I started experiencing minor shifting problems. More than one person told me I needed to replace my speed sensor. That has now been done with no effect on any of my problems. Having learned to judge my speed pretty well by using the Tach, I could live without the speedometer but the cruise is a must. One note about the cruise. When it was working, it would disengage any time I hit the slightest bump in the road and had started to become a major nuisance. Any suggestions on how to fix either of these these issues?
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Fixing the speedometer should take care and fix the cruise control as it depend on the speed signal to work

best and 1st that should be done is to have it scanned for codes
most common is the speed sensor on the transmission
and since it was replaced have to be checking for codes
as it should indicate to the troubled area
check rear of cluster wire plug and sensor connector plug
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SWICKD22
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 FORD ESCORT
I just put 18s on my car how do I adjust the speedometer
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Going from what? 14-13? I think you need to change the gear on the speedo cable.
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CRAIGFL
  • MEMBER
  • 89 POSTS
It's not the rim size that matters but the rolling diameter of the tire. You need to compare the original tire with the new tire(tire manufacturers will give you this information). If the difference is significant, you may want to correct for it. You can change the speedo gear but you can also try something like this(ratio adapter) after you determine what ratio you need:
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
COREYH88
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 FORD ESCORT
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 125,678 MILES
1996 ford escort speedometer is jumping how do I fix it?
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Sunday, July 26th, 2020 AT 10:57 AM (Merged)

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