Ford F150 - Speedometer quit working!! HELP!!

My speedometer quit working today. I got in my truck and started driving and realized about a quarter mile away from the house that my speedometer wasn't working. The truck was also shifting very hard. My brother said to get a code reader and run my codes but I have no idea how to go about that. Could I just need more tranny fluid? Any advice would be very helpful. This truck is my only means of transportation so I need to get this fixed right away.

-- P.S. My ABS light has been on for the past couple weeks. Nothing seemed off so I didn't think anything of it.

Thank you for any assistance.

Check your fuse panel. My 92 work truck did the same thing when the O/D lockout button harness shorted out on the shifter column.The fuse was located in the fuse panel on the dash.
regards
rikard

Go click on the Pre-1997 section. There is a *sticky* as the first post that will tell you how to pull your codes. You may have a bad VSS on the differential.

With your speedometer it could be the ignition switch too. Do any of your other gauges work? Does your radio work?

i would have to say its something with the overdrive switch..... makes it shift rough, and the speedometer may or may not work up to a certain mph..... also does your overdrive light flash? if so i would get that checked.... cuz i don't think its a bad cluster.... and its not cable driven either.... so i would get that overdrive checked out.

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95 F-150 300 CID 4.9 5-SPD 325,000 and still kicking!
01 Grand Prix 3800 134,000.
91 Camaro 3100 T-Tops 220,000 on the body, 112,000 on the engine.
85 F-150 (soon to be 351M) 4x4, 39 inch tall tires.

Driving an electronic automatic with a dead speedo can do some damage to the trans, so don't. Codes won't tell you anything useful - find out why the speedo isn't working by testing power, ground, & the ABS sensor in the rear diff. I agree that it's most likely a short in a circuit on the same fuse as the PSOM.

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. . . '99 CV RIP

On Rear end their is your speed sensor unplug it and check it for corrosion also try to pull the wires look for green stuff. I bet thats where the problem lies and I agree with Steve83 with the speed sensor not working it could mess up the e4od. If you pull codes and they say tranny problems its most likely from the speed sensor not functoning and its not located in the transits on the rear diff.

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1979 F-350 Crew Cab
2wd 351m 4 Speed Long bed
??mpg, 54,000.mi
1979 F-150 Ranger Supercab
2wd 351M C-6 Long bed
15mpg, 135,000mi.
1993 Bronco
4wd 5.0 E40d
12-15 mpg. 190,000mi.
1995 F-150 Standard
2wd / 4X4 converted 4.9 5 speed
15-16 mpg 255,000mi.

Check to see if fuse #18 is blown. This fuse controls the electronic shift module, speedo, air bag, auto trans shift interlock, auto day night mirror, and the overhead console (bronco).

I am having this same problem with the truck I am working on now so if you figure it out let me kno.

Read this whole caption:

My truck is having the same Problem Speeodometer quit working.I droved stright to my Machanic's house, he checket it out made some test, and said that I should buy a speeodometer cluster, he also said that it was alright to drive my truct until I found one. This proved a mistake, because after 2 days the truck trans. will not engage. Please advise:and I still have not been able to fine a speerodomeater cluster...not even from a ford dealer. Thanks

Did you read that caption? Read the one below, too. I have several PSOMs & complete clusters, though I may not have a '94-96 cluster. E-mail me thru my SMN profile or my profile here if you want one.

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. . . '99 CV RIP

well the other day my exhaust mount broke causing my exhaust to wobble and slide off its sleeve as i tried to get it off till i got back home to fix it i guess i hit something i eventually hung it up with a clothes hanger for the time being but my speedometer stopped working is there any way i could have hit the vss and shorted it out or or is it in a case, also my abs light is on and ever since then when i go up hill it jerks its making me feel like my clutch is slipping but its new so i know thats not it any help would be apprieciated

Read the caption.

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. . . '99 CV RIP

I hsve questions about these abbreviations What is the PSOM as stated by Steve83 & The E40D as stated by fords&fat1995 where are they located and what do the do, Please advise

PSOM is what that caption is about, but it's all here: Automotive Terms & Abbreviations

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. . . '99 CV RIP

Hey - quick note - FYI...

I have the same issue. I bought a salvage speedo cluster to rty it out...nothing.
I have checked all fuses - good to go
I have checked for melted wires..and on and on...

I've ordered a new VSS for the rear diff. After that - I am stumped.

i have a 95 f150 and it will move up and down what can it be.

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I have a 1995 f150 with a 4.9 300,five speed dana 44 strait axle with 5:13 gears,pos,trac bars 44x21x15 Truxus STS,with 18in oh lift.

from everything I am hearing...a jumping needle = speed sensor issue

Ummm... The suspension??? A 95 F150 should move up & down.

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. . . '99 CV RIP

I have the same problem on my 1993 Bronco, check the #5 fuse under the hood. In the books it has nothing to do with your speedometer, but thats what my problem was.