Newbie Question - Ford Forums

alomar721 · 08-27-2008, 20:22

Hello there I am new and I want to thank you you for any help. I just purchased a 98 ford taurus se with 103,000 miles. Well t make a long story short on the ride home the speedometer went out which in turn odometer as well. when I slowed down and stopped and put in park and started up the car again when I was in drive in wouldnt go fast just just the engie not the trans so i put it in drive not overdrive and went to the next exit and shut it off and tried it again it was fine. I took it in and the service light was that it was a speed senor. How hard is it to change these and if anybody knows how to do it that would be great. I dont want to pay anybody for this which would be $200. I was hoping to fix it my self. Also would this sensor affect the trans ? Sorry for the length. Hope anybody can help me and again thanks.
Scott

alomar721 · 08-28-2008, 16:42

AnyBody ?

SHOZ123 · 08-29-2008, 10:36

The speed sensor or VSS is on the passenger side of the transmission behind the alternator if you have the DOHC motor. It is on the top pointing up.

alomar721 · 08-30-2008, 06:16

Thanks but will the sensor make it so the trans doesnt move ?
Scott

SHOZ123 · 08-30-2008, 08:32

Yes, it tells the PCM what gear it should be in based on the vehicle speed.

alomar721 · 08-31-2008, 16:36

Well change the sensor and it worked for the check engie light went off put the trans still wont go and the speedometer still doesnt work on and off like the trans. Can anybody still help what might be going on thanks.

Scott

SHOZ123 · 08-31-2008, 16:42

Is the check engine light on?

alomar721 · 08-31-2008, 16:44

No that went off when I replaced the sensor.
Scott

SHOZ123 · 08-31-2008, 16:46

What was the check engine light for?

alomar721 · 08-31-2008, 16:47

A speed senor

SHOZ123 · 08-31-2008, 16:51

There is a fuse under the dash that is in the circuit.

alomar721 · 08-31-2008, 16:54

Do you think a fuse is causing the trans to not go in gear.
Scott

**tbird100636** · 08-31-2008, 17:12

Dumb question but was there a gear on the end of the old VSS??? If so did you swap it over to your new VSS???

alomar721 · 08-31-2008, 17:17

I replaced the ckp crank position sensor which was on peice I didnt see an gear on the old one ?

**tbird100636** · 08-31-2008, 17:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by alomar721

Do you think a fuse is causing the trans to not go in gear.
Scott

Check fuses 5 and 24 under the dash. If they're out no speedo.

alomar721 · 08-31-2008, 17:20

would that make it act like the trans is bad
Scott

**tbird100636** · 08-31-2008, 17:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by alomar721

I replaced the ckp crank position sensor which was on peice I didnt see an gear on the old one ?

WHOA!!! Why would you replace a Crankshaft Position Sensor on the ENGINE if your problem is Vehicle Speed Sensor on the TRANSMISSION???
Here's some pictures to show you what we've been talking about. This is on a AX4S Trans, AX4N VSS stands straight up around the same location as AX4S...

alomar721 · 08-31-2008, 17:30

the fuses are fine. that not the part I replaced they siad there was two but when I replaced the other the engise light went off. should I replace the one you are talking about.
Scott

**tbird100636** · 08-31-2008, 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by alomar721

the fuses are fine. that not the part I replaced they siad there was two but when I replaced the other the engise light went off. should I replace the one you are talking about.
Scott

Yes. There will be no cable, 1996-up Taurus got rid of the cable completely.

alomar721 · 08-31-2008, 17:36

So is this an easy peice to change myself I have the repair manual. do you think will take care of the problem. also it says you need a special tool.
Scott