Speedometer stopped working.

[vette61]

Hello..new to the Forum and have a question. I have a 2001 Explorer Sport and recently the speedometer and cruise control stopped working and the check engine light came on. I had Auto Zone pull the code and they said it was the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) so I bought a new one and found where it went which was on top of the rear differential. Well I changed it out but it did not help fix the problem. I also checked all the fuses and can't find any blown. Has anyone had this problem and found the problem or can tell me where else to start looking? I don't want to take it to the dealership since they charge so much money. Thank you for any help you can offer.
Mike

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the stock 95-01 section. Did you check the inner gear ring (reluctor) in the differential?

 

[vette61]

How do I check the reluctor? Isn't it inside the differential? thanks.

 

[BrooklynBay]

You will have to remove the sensor, and watch the teeth on the ring move while the rear wheels are off of the ground. Put it in park, jack up both rear wheels, then turn one wheel while the opposite wheel is turning in the opposite direction.

 

[vette61]

I don't have a lift high enough so that there is room to look down into the hole to check the gears. Is there anything else that I can check. Where does the cable from the VSS go? to the transmission or up to the speedometer? As I mentioned, both the speedometer AND the cruise stopped working. Is there another place in the engine bay that I need to check. All fuses look good......thanks.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Use a mirror with a flashlight to check the gear. A scope with a camera would come in handy for this kind of job too.

 

[vette61]

Thank you, I will try that procedure.