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OtakuN3rd
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2012
- Messages
- 13
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 0
- Location
- Dowagiac, MI
- Vehicle Year
- 1989
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 2.3L
- Transmission
- Automatic
I am once again trying to track down an answer for an unusual situation with my 1989 Ranger (at this point I am very tempted to call it a FrankenRanger, or better yet - FrankenFord as the Transmission that used to be in it was out of an '87 Aerostar van).
The issue I am having is an erratic speedometer. The problem originally only occurred in cold weather, but as of this last (very harsh) winter the problem has persisted. Note that the Odometer IS working correctly and the transmission is shifting in to OD like it should.
Today when doing an oil change I finally got around to replacing the VSS. The problem is still there. My next thought is to replace the speedometer cable or the speedometer gauge in the dash. In doing some price checking on the speedometer cables, I find at least three different ones for the 1989 Ranger. One for trucks with cruise control, and tow for no cruise control at different lengths. My confusion is that the only one that seems to look the same as what is on the truck is the cable with cruise control, yet my truck doesn't have it.
My questions are:
1) What is the most likely culprit knowing that the VSS is brand new and that the gear in the transmission is clean and intact (in fact, I had to replace it at one point to get an accurate speedometer reading). Should I look in to changing the cable, or getting a new panel cluster, or something else?
2) If I should change the speedometer cable, what one do I need? (See truck details below) Considering the transmission that was in the truck when I got it was the older A4LD revision (Hydraulic OD solenoid) and from an Aerostar Van, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the cable in the truck is the wrong one.
Truck Specs:
1989 Ford Ranger XLT 2WD
Standard cab/long bed
2.3L engine
A4LD transmission that was originally in a '93 Ranger
Without cruise control
Roughly 243k miles on everything but transmission, transmission has roughly 75k miles on it.
Thank you very much!!!
The issue I am having is an erratic speedometer. The problem originally only occurred in cold weather, but as of this last (very harsh) winter the problem has persisted. Note that the Odometer IS working correctly and the transmission is shifting in to OD like it should.
Today when doing an oil change I finally got around to replacing the VSS. The problem is still there. My next thought is to replace the speedometer cable or the speedometer gauge in the dash. In doing some price checking on the speedometer cables, I find at least three different ones for the 1989 Ranger. One for trucks with cruise control, and tow for no cruise control at different lengths. My confusion is that the only one that seems to look the same as what is on the truck is the cable with cruise control, yet my truck doesn't have it.
My questions are:
1) What is the most likely culprit knowing that the VSS is brand new and that the gear in the transmission is clean and intact (in fact, I had to replace it at one point to get an accurate speedometer reading). Should I look in to changing the cable, or getting a new panel cluster, or something else?
2) If I should change the speedometer cable, what one do I need? (See truck details below) Considering the transmission that was in the truck when I got it was the older A4LD revision (Hydraulic OD solenoid) and from an Aerostar Van, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the cable in the truck is the wrong one.
Truck Specs:
1989 Ford Ranger XLT 2WD
Standard cab/long bed
2.3L engine
A4LD transmission that was originally in a '93 Ranger
Without cruise control
Roughly 243k miles on everything but transmission, transmission has roughly 75k miles on it.
Thank you very much!!!
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