Jumpy Speedometer
Thread Starter
The Dude
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Santa Cruz CA
Jumpy Speedometer
Just bought a used 1996 F150, fairly low miles of 96000. Right off it has the jumpy speedometer problem. I read about the repairs in the cluster but hoping might just be the speed sensor on the differential. Shifts perfect, no lights on or flashing, just erratic speedometer. My only hesitation is trying to pull this out and falls apart into the differential or some other nightmare so hey, anyone have experience and think this is likely my issue? After I replace it the speedometer will be accurate and smooth? Otherwise truck seems solid and I'm familiar with the 5.0 engine so I like that. I do not like the 1997 and newer with the shooting spark plugs so I avoided newer years. Any help much appreciated.
Five-0 Ret.
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,726
Likes: 675
From: Down South in Dixie
Try greasing or replacing the speedometer cable first. They can get dry, and cause the needle to jump. You can also check the plastic gear inside the tranny where the cable attaches to see if any gears are broken off. Good luck.
Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 26,680
Likes: 6,253
From: Big Easy
Your year truck and other Fords from that era had a wide spread issue with the speedometer head itself, there is no cable as it is electronic. I don't remember what year had the cutoff for what speed sensor gives it input, it's either the ABS sensor in the center of the differential (on top) or the transmission output shaft speed sensor, in any event it has been my experience that 99.9 times out of 100 to be the actual speedo head.
It can be replaced separate of the cluster if you can still attain the actual head, 97 came the new body style with the non serviceable cluster assembly so in that aspect your lucky.
You will need to contact your local Ford dealer for replacement as the new speedo will have a new odometer that must be programmed at the factory to match your actual mileage before they will send a new one.
These are the things that were absolutely true 10 years ago when I worked at the dealer, if anything has changed I would be surprised because the mileage requirement is a federal issue.
Then there is always a salvage yard but you never know what you might get, most likely another jumpy speedo.
.
It can be replaced separate of the cluster if you can still attain the actual head, 97 came the new body style with the non serviceable cluster assembly so in that aspect your lucky.
You will need to contact your local Ford dealer for replacement as the new speedo will have a new odometer that must be programmed at the factory to match your actual mileage before they will send a new one.
These are the things that were absolutely true 10 years ago when I worked at the dealer, if anything has changed I would be surprised because the mileage requirement is a federal issue.
Then there is always a salvage yard but you never know what you might get, most likely another jumpy speedo.
.
Five-0 Ret.
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,726
Likes: 675
From: Down South in Dixie
Your year truck and other Fords from that era had a wide spread issue with the speedometer head itself, there is no cable as it is electronic. I don't remember what year had the cutoff for what speed sensor gives it input, it's either the ABS sensor in the center of the differential (on top) or the transmission output shaft speed sensor, in any event it has been my experience that 99.9 times out of 100 to be the actual speedo head.
It can be replaced separate of the cluster if you can still attain the actual head, 97 came the new body style with the non serviceable cluster assembly so in that aspect your lucky.
You will need to contact your local Ford dealer for replacement as the new speedo will have a new odometer that must be programmed at the factory to match your actual mileage before they will send a new one.
These are the things that were absolutely true 10 years ago when I worked at the dealer, if anything has changed I would be surprised because the mileage requirement is a federal issue.
Then there is always a salvage yard but you never know what you might get, most likely another jumpy speedo.
.
It can be replaced separate of the cluster if you can still attain the actual head, 97 came the new body style with the non serviceable cluster assembly so in that aspect your lucky.
You will need to contact your local Ford dealer for replacement as the new speedo will have a new odometer that must be programmed at the factory to match your actual mileage before they will send a new one.
These are the things that were absolutely true 10 years ago when I worked at the dealer, if anything has changed I would be surprised because the mileage requirement is a federal issue.
Then there is always a salvage yard but you never know what you might get, most likely another jumpy speedo.
.
Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 61
Likes: 2
Im a ford parts guy.the rear diff is a cheap easy fix if that is it.i have a speedo sent to united radio for repair.you do need the correct milage,you;ll have to send it there.1-800-448-0944.it's actually the whole cluster that has to be sent.be carefull with the prdl1l2 cable.
Thread Starter
The Dude
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Santa Cruz CA
Updates on Jumpy Speedometer
I've now researched much more and tried a couple things. I changed the RSS on the differential to one from Oreilly but it was worse, even had shifting hard issues which I didn't have before, so l cleaned up original and put back in. Not sure if dealer part is any better but may try that and also see if they have a replacement socket also to rule out an erratic connection. I know also inside the differential is that gear that may have gunk or warped or whatever so may inspect that soon or next. Then yes I know it may be in the cluster...obviously where that expression came from cluster-&$%#! Still hoping to avoid that. Transmission shifts ok but speedometer needle a little wild and worried that since the geniuses at Ford figured the transmission should obey that and shift any time in any way accordingly I may be removing transmission parts from my butt soon. (is that a tranny operation?)
Wish someone who had a successful outcome could chime in. While I do appreciate all the input a lot of it is no different than a bunch a guys standing around an open hood and drinking beer. Except no beer, no jokes and no entertaining stories about their horrific choices and consequences they endure with their current woman. If I solve this I'll let everyone know...then buy you all a beer....virtually.
Wish someone who had a successful outcome could chime in. While I do appreciate all the input a lot of it is no different than a bunch a guys standing around an open hood and drinking beer. Except no beer, no jokes and no entertaining stories about their horrific choices and consequences they endure with their current woman. If I solve this I'll let everyone know...then buy you all a beer....virtually.
Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 26,680
Likes: 6,253
From: Big Easy
I've now researched much more and tried a couple things. I changed the RSS on the differential to one from Oreilly but it was worse, even had shifting hard issues which I didn't have before, so l cleaned up original and put back in. Not sure if dealer part is any better but may try that and also see if they have a replacement socket also to rule out an erratic connection. I know also inside the differential is that gear that may have gunk or warped or whatever so may inspect that soon or next. Then yes I know it may be in the cluster...obviously where that expression came from cluster-&$%#! Still hoping to avoid that. Transmission shifts ok but speedometer needle a little wild and worried that since the geniuses at Ford figured the transmission should obey that and shift any time in any way accordingly I may be removing transmission parts from my butt soon. (is that a tranny operation?)
Wish someone who had a successful outcome could chime in. While I do appreciate all the input a lot of it is no different than a bunch a guys standing around an open hood and drinking beer. Except no beer, no jokes and no entertaining stories about their horrific choices and consequences they endure with their current woman. If I solve this I'll let everyone know...then buy you all a beer....virtually.
Wish someone who had a successful outcome could chime in. While I do appreciate all the input a lot of it is no different than a bunch a guys standing around an open hood and drinking beer. Except no beer, no jokes and no entertaining stories about their horrific choices and consequences they endure with their current woman. If I solve this I'll let everyone know...then buy you all a beer....virtually.
You need a scan tool that reads sensor data in real time so you can watch the VSS, if it's smooth in transition then you will know it is the speedo head. Like I said before when I worked at the dealer as a tech we would have those things repaired or replaced on a regular basis for just what you are experiencing.
If you have an Android smart phone you can use the Torque app coupled with a cheap ELM adapter from Amazon.com, Paid $5 for Torque pro app and $11 or so for the ELM.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...l.torque&hl=en
