1994 Vehicle Speed Sensor

[Abba]

I'm trying to replace the vehicle speed sensor on my 1994 Explorer, V6, 4wd.

I have been told that it's half way down the transmission on the right hand (passenger) side. However, I've just spent 30 minutes digging around down there and I can't find the damn thing.

Can anyone offer any insight into where the sensor is located? Perhaps a more exact location, and if you can verify the side that it's actually on, it would be great.

I really appreciate any help you guys can offer. I'm praying that my problem can be solved by the sensor and it's not a far more expensive issue to fix.

Thanks.

 

[MrShorty]

I have been told that it's half way down the transmission on the right hand (passenger) side.

That must be for the 2wd version. On my '92 (and on my '87, for that matter -- I don't think Ford moved the VSS around much) the VSS is located on the output of the transfer case. Start at the rear of the transfer case where the rear driveshaft comes out, then look on the driver's side of the transfer case.

 

[Maniak]

Drivers side on the transfer case. Its the thing with the 2 wires near the end of the speedo cable as it goes into the transfer case.

~Mark

 

[Abba]

Thanks for the tips. The problem I've been having is that the car is shifting poorly. From a dead stop, I can accelerate fine, no slipping, but the car seems to have problems going to 2nd gear, then to 3rd. when Im at highway speeds, near 40 and above, there's no problem going from drive to overdrive and back. Its just the low gears that are the problem.
The ABS light is onj too. Someone recommended that I change the Sensor, which I've been working on. Does anyone have any reccomendations? I just bought this car a few weeks ago, and Im a bit desperate to get this thing working properly. Divorces are expensive. LOL, and mine just drained my bank account.

 

[Maniak]

The ABS gets its speed from a sensor in the rear diff (on top). On newer explorers the VSS is back there.

The speed sensor on the speedo cable is used for things like cruise control etc.

The a4ld trans you have is not really computer controlled. Shift from 1-2-3 is controlled by hydraulic pressures and the modulator (passenger side, rear of trans). The 3-4 shift and the converter lockup is controlled by the computer as in the computer will send a signal which will "allow" the trans to shift or lockup the converter. The computer doesn't do the shifting or lockup like on newer vehicles.

~Mark

 

[Abba]

The ABS gets its speed from a sensor in the rear diff (on top). On newer explorers the VSS is back there.

The speed sensor on the speedo cable is used for things like cruise control etc.

The a4ld trans you have is not really computer controlled. Shift from 1-2-3 is controlled by hydraulic pressures and the modulator (passenger side, rear of trans). The 3-4 shift and the converter lockup is controlled by the computer as in the computer will send a signal which will "allow" the trans to shift or lockup the converter. The computer doesn't do the shifting or lockup like on newer vehicles.

~Mark

Thanks Mark. So basically, it sounds like you're saying that there really isn't a sensor that would affect the way the tranny shifts, right? A friend of mine mentioned something about an output speed sensor? that could be the culprit. Have you ever heard of anything like that?

 

[Maniak]

Thanks Mark. So basically, it sounds like you're saying that there really isn't a sensor that would affect the way the tranny shifts,

Correct, Its all "in" or "on" the trans (shift modulator is on the side of the trans)

A friend of mine mentioned something about an output speed sensor? that could be the culprit. Have you ever heard of anything like that?

I'm not sure what they are trying to describe, but the a4ld doesn't have a speed sensor on the output of the trans. Closest is the one on the speedo cable or the one on the rear diff but neither affects the trans shift of 1-2-3

~Mark