Vehicle Speed Sensor

[My94Explorer]

I own a '94 XLT 4WD Explorer with a 5-speed manual transmission. I bought it new in '94 and special ordered it with the manual transmission. It's got low miles (120,000) since we mostly used it for family trips and not as a daily driver. I'm driving it now because my truck needs a new engine and I'm trying to decide if it's worth putting one in it. Anyway, the speedometer bounces around quite a bit and is unreliable. I was going to change the VSS to see if that would fix the problem before I pull the speedometer, (because it's easier) but I haven't been able to find one like the one in my vehicle. The part number on my sensor is E3AF-9E731-AB. I ordered a new one from Parts Geek using that PN and it isn't anything like mine. I've attached 3 photos of the sensor. In 2 of them, I have the Parts Geek sensor on the left and mine on the right. The one from Parts Geek has an internal female gear, while mine has an external male gear. In addition, on mine, the speedometer cable plugs into the end opposite the male gear which is totally different from the one I got from Parts Geek. Has anyone run into this situation or can anyone point me to a place where I could get the correct sensor. Searching the PN always gets me to the one like Parts Geek sent me.

Thank you.

 

[massacre]

Does your truck use a speedometer cable? One on the right looks like it takes a cable, one on the left looks like it does not.

 

[ChildIdenticant]

this post How to: - Speedometer Gear Color Code Specification Chart With Formulas, And Ford Part Numbers. indicates the gears are swappable.

I don't know what that inset white plastic is for. Is it easily removeable, and is there an o-ring behind it?

 

[1sicbronconut]

Does it look like the little white plug might pop out? if not you'll have to find one for a cable equipped Explorer. You might want to try to lube the cable up also they used to make a special lube for cables but some white lithium grease should work also.

 

[My94Explorer]

Does your truck use a speedometer cable? One on the right looks like it takes a cable, one on the left looks like it does not.

Yes, mine has a speedometer cable.

 

[My94Explorer]

this post How to: - Speedometer Gear Color Code Specification Chart With Formulas, And Ford Part Numbers. indicates the gears are swappable.

I don't know what that inset white plastic is for. Is it easily removeable, and is there an o-ring behind it?

I didn't want to take it apart because I wasn't going to use it. I sent it back to Parts Geek.

 

[ChildIdenticant]

I didn't want to take it apart because I wasn't going to use it. I sent it back to Parts Geek.

I assume the white plastic is supposed to be removeable, but there are sensors available pictured as correct on the cable connection end without that plastic. Easier to find by searching for '91 parts.
example : More Information for NTK VB0071
example : https://www.autozone.com/engine-man...le-transmission-speed-sensor-su1022/78822_0_0

All sensors appear to require the gear swap though.

 

[BKennedy]

I think 1994 was the only year first gen Explorer to use VSS. Its got something to do with fuel delivery. I don't thank it would cause the speedo needle to bounce. I think as suggested the cable might need lubrication. You can put a few drops of graphite lube in the transfer case end of the cable, and the cable will pull it through while driving. The gear on the OEM VSS should pull off so you can put it on the new module after you pop off that little metal strap that's holding it on.

 

[Gadget X]

Just FYI, mine was doing the same thing, and after i replaced the VSS and the entire cable going to the speedo, I determined that the teeth on the gear in the transfer case that drives the VSS had been chewed up somehow. Replacing that fixed my problem, and this may be the case with yours as well. I ended up pulling one from the junkyard to fix mine!

 

[CDW6212R]

I also would not suspect the speed sensor, but the cable or the gears/splines inside the trans or TC. I'd lubricate the cable first, putting it in the speedometer end. Taking the cable out to clean it might be ideal, but try some lubricant first.

That white part inside that new VSS, I'll bet money that's a shipping plug.