96 Ford explorer speedometer not working

[Erica Bell]

Hi, I have a 1996 Ford explorer, I got a couple months ago. my Ford have been running fine and I take really good care of it. last month I was doing a lot of driving on the freeway and city. And while I was driving to my friends house I heard a loud snap and my speedometer started going crazy! just jumping around everywhere! when I got to my friends house I let it sit for a couple hours. when I got back in my car it was working, my speedometer was a little off but no problems.

A couple of days ago, again I was driving around and it happened again but this time, my car stalled for a bit and it felt like it was not getting gas and making a noise. I got it to my friends grandparents house and another friend came to fix it. he said it sounds like my transmission speed sensor went out. so we went to AutoZone and bought a new one. he tried to get it on but it seemed like it didn't fit. I had to call a tow to get it home! the next day I called a mobile mechanic I found on Craigslist and he came and put it on. well he said it got it on as much as he could. but it wasn't 100% on. So now nothing is fixed and my car is riding worst then before.

The problem I'm having is now my speedometer just stay at 0. The only time it moves if it's trying to switch gears. It's not shifting right at all. my od light is blinking every time it skip gears. I'm seeing oil leaking and it's getting hard to turn. It now makes a humming noise and it sound like coins jiggling when I drive it.

I feel like I'm explaining my problem to people and no one is listing to me. this is my last resort to get some type of understanding because so far I'm already out of tons of money from people who is telling me what they think is wrong with my car. And not listing to what I'm saying is wrong!

 

[Mbrooks420]

Does it always skip a gear? The and gear? Sounds like maybe you snapped a band. When my first v6 needed a rebuild i had trouble with my speedo shortly before.

If it winds out in first, and slams into third, it sounds like 2nd gear band to me. Where do you see oil leaking? I assuming there leaking oil and rough steering is a separate issue, very possibly with the steering rack.

 

[96eb96]

Can you get some codes out of it? There is a free app called forscan you can put on your PC, and an inexpensive OBD 2 adapter. That can give us some clues.

 

[Erica Bell]

Does it always skip a gear? The and gear? Sounds like maybe you snapped a band. When my first v6 needed a rebuild i had trouble with my speedo shortly before.

If it winds out in first, and slams into third, it sounds like 2nd gear band to me. Where do you see oil leaking? I assuming there leaking oil and rough steering is a separate issue, very possibly with the steering rack.

No this is the first time it skipped gears ever since the snap sound. Yes, it goes into first and then slams into 3rd and that's when my light start flashing. I'm not sure of here the oil leak is but it's a over my driveway. could it be from when they didn't put my speed sensor on correctly?

 

[Erica Bell]

Can you get some codes out of it? There is a free app called forscan you can put on your PC, and an inexpensive OBD 2 adapter. That can give us some clues.

I don't have a OBD reader. but on Monday I'm taking it into the shop to put it on scanner.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I mean now that it's broken does it always skip second? Sounds to me like you are in for a transmission rebuild to replace a broken band.

 

[Erica Bell]

I mean now that it's broken does it always skip second? Sounds to me like you are in for a transmission rebuild to replace a broken band.

Yeah I just tested it. it's now just skipping over 2nd. just a guess how much do you think it would cost to get a rebuild?

 

[Mbrooks420]

1500

 

[Erica Bell]

1500

Oh wow! okay well I gotta get it fixed

 

[Mbrooks420]

Some places will do it cheaper, but the explorer v6 transmission is anemic (at best) and corners shouldn't be cut rebuilding one. I'd suggest adding a transmission cooler at the same time.

 

[Erica Bell]

okay so update!

I took it to a mechanic and he told me all I need is a radiator flush do any of that sound right to you? Would a radiator flush really help me shift gears better because I found out I can go into second gear but every time it shifts to second gear the OD light starts flashing.

 

[Mbrooks420]

No. You have a transmission fault as indicated by the flashing OD light. Find a better mechanic who can read the codes. Or, take it to a transmission shop.

 

[Erica Bell]

Oka

No. You have a transmission fault as indicated by the flashing OD light. Find a better mechanic who can read the codes. Or, take it to a transmission shop.

Okay, yeah he tried to read it with an scanner but like I tole him my check engine light is not on so nothing came up on the scan.

 

[96eb96]

Oka


Okay, yeah he tried to read it with an scanner but like I tole him my check engine light is not on so nothing came up on the scan.

Maybe the trans is overheating? I would like you to invest $20 in an OBD adapter and try Forscan. I have the same truck, it works very well. Look up BAFX adapter on Amazon.
Put forscan on your PC with bluetooth and it will give you everything you need to know. It can also log shift attempts and temperatures.

How old is the fluid in the trans?
How many miles?

If the band is broken(the 2nd gear issue that would require a rebuild) there may be a piece in the pan.

Autozone parts sometimes have a poor fit, so that could explain the speed sensor