Dakota Digital

[berniemac73]

I partially completed 4406 swap on my 97 exp 5.0. Fought the dakota digital interface for two days. It works to 53 ish mph. At 53 speedo returns to zero. Before this I had to unplug cruise module so it would go above 20 mph. Signal output is tapped into at gem module. Anyone have this issue?

 

[Mbrooks420]

It’s accurate when it works?

 

[berniemac73]

Yes. Maybe 2 mph off or less.

It’s accurate when it works?

s

 

[berniemac73]

From reading and reading on here it seems to be 96-97 explorer issue only. Im using rear abs signal for the dakota interface. Shortcuts, maybe I should have used the transfer case speed sensor but it is newer style. Now that the t case is in PITA due to clearance Im not wanting to swap the older speedo gear on it. Im guessing something in the vehicle backfeeds around 50-55 mph and interupts the signal???

 

[Rick]

Have you called Dakota Digital? I have found their tech support to be very helpful.

 

[410Fortune]

Okay okay let’s check your wiring. We have 3-4 trucks in the fleet now running the Dakota interface, they are super reliable once setup

Using the vss in the rear axle is perfect
The wires from that vss run directly to the abs pump. This is where you tap into them. Do not cut them, only
Tap in for the signal. The abs brakes still need to see the rear axle vss sensor

Now using this as your input
You need one wire output to feed into the vss signal to the cruise control, dash, and pcm

You do not need the ground wire, just the single output

The Dakota should be set at high to low
The calibration value should be around 1.65 to get you to a place where you can adjust it while driving to be 100% accurate

Have you seen my Dakota digital install threads? Check this maybe helpful

Ford Ranger forum

The Premiere Site For Ford Ranger Enthusiasts

ford-rangers.com

I did wire one of these into a 04 ranger 5.0
Conversion we did and I used a 2002 ranger cluster. For some reason on that truck the Dakota digital needed the second ground wire input from the speed sensor for the Dakota to work properly

 

[berniemac73]

Okay okay let’s check your wiring. We have 3-4 trucks in the fleet now running the Dakota interface, they are super reliable once setup

Using the vss in the rear axle is perfect
The wires from that vss run directly to the abs pump. This is where you tap into them. Do not cut them, only
Tap in for the signal. The abs brakes still need to see the rear axle vss sensor

Now using this as your input
You need one wire output to feed into the vss signal to the cruise control, dash, and pcm

You do not need the ground wire, just the single output

The Dakota should be set at high to low
The calibration value should be around 1.65 to get you to a place where you can adjust it while driving to be 100% accurate

Have you seen my Dakota digital install threads? Check this maybe helpful

Ford Ranger forum

The Premiere Site For Ford Ranger Enthusiasts

ford-rangers.com

I did wire one of these into a 04 ranger 5.0
Conversion we did and I used a 2002 ranger cluster. For some reason on that truck the Dakota digital needed the second ground wire input from the speed sensor for the Dakota to work properly

Your install thread is what I used to make it this far. Going to try adding the "ground" (S-) to see if it helps this issue. Could the gem interfere with the signal? On a plus side while doing this I fixed my abs light. Also cruise still works when speedo crashes shuts off at 20mph with it plugged in, data display on scanner shows correct mph +- 2

 

[410Fortune]

If the cruise and pcm are still getting accurate signal then the issue is on the speedo side of things. The Dakota is working if the pcm speed is correct and the cruise is working

Maybe check connections at speedometer

 

[berniemac73]

Update. I can get the speedo to work normally by connecting to back of cluster grey/black wire. When I do that I get a code P0500 sensor A. On data display (scanner) shows correct speed.

 

[410Fortune]

Interesting!! Try clearing code does it come back? It should not matter if you tap the speed sensor signal in at the gem or cluster, it is all part of the same circuit. However that grey/black wire may still be present at the abs pump so the circuit could be getting confused by too many chefs in the kitchen. Try removing the grey black wire
From the abs pump, this is the abs pump output for the pcm gem and cluster.

 

[berniemac73]

If the cruise and pcm are still getting accurate signal then the issue is on the speedo side of things. The Dakota is working if the pcm speed is correct and the cruise is working

Maybe check connections

Interesting!! Try clearing code does it come back? It should not matter if you tap the speed sensor signal in at the gem or cluster, it is all part of the same circuit. However that grey/black wire may still be present at the abs pump so the circuit could be getting confused by too many chefs in the kitchen. Try removing the grey black wire
From the abs pump, this is the abs pump output for the pcm gem and cluster.

I think you are correct on to many in the kitchen. Unplugged abs module and cruise and p0500 goes away and speedo works.

 

[berniemac73]

I think you are correct on to many in the kitchen. Unplugged abs module and cruise and p0500 goes away and speedo

Interesting!! Try clearing code does it come back? It should not matter if you tap the speed sensor signal in at the gem or cluster, it is all part of the same circuit. However that grey/black wire may still be present at the abs pump so the circuit could be getting confused by too many chefs in the kitchen. Try removing the grey black wire
From the abs pump, this is the abs pump output for the pcm gem and cluster.

Pretty sure this is an issue specific to 96-97 5.0 AWD with 4 wheel abs. I do not need abs or cruise otherwise I would continue to pull my hair out.

 

[berniemac73]

Pretty sure this is an issue specific to 96-97 5.0 AWD with 4 wheel abs. I do not need abs or cruise otherwise I would continue to pull my hair out.

Now to finish my 4406 swap!!

 

[410Fortune]

Try here

Ford Ranger forum

The Premiere Site For Ford Ranger Enthusiasts

ford-rangers.com