Odometer Quit, Speedo still working...?

toxcrusadr

toxcrusadr

Omelette au Fromage
My '95 4WD Ford Ranger has 145,000 miles on it and the other day I noticed the odometer wasn't turning. Just wondering what it takes to fix it. Dashboard is all analog, and the speedo and tach are still working fine. Does this mean the cable that connects the whole works to the transmission is still OK, and the gearing inside the odometer has failed? I've never looked at one of these so I'm just wondering what it would take. If nothing else it tells me when to change the oil, but I don't want to spend a bundle on this old truck.
 
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If it is mechanical, likely one of the odometer gears. Some vehicles have known problems with them, had to replace and odo gear in both a VW Corrado and my old Porsche 944 for just this reason.

Oh, and if '95 is the same as '93, be prepared to cuss out Ford engineers; had to replace the dash lights on my friend's '93 and it takes waaaay too long to pop the gauge cluster, especially since he had an aftermarket stereo and I had to make some tools to release the head unit as he'd lost them. Why you have to take that whole great big bezel off to remove the gauge cluster I dunno.
 
So can I get that odo gear? Do you have to be a certified honest mechanic and pee in a cup first to mess with the odometer?

I already curse the Ford engineers, at least the ones who designed the electrical system and picked out the parts. I've had door switches go bad so the ceiling light stays on and that danged dinger keeps dinging (starting to do it again, already on the second set of door switches). Cruise control quit, Ford diagnostic said it was some electrical part, replaced it, still doesn't work. Driver's window always goes all the way down unless you stop it. Intermittent wipers have random timing. AC comes on with ALL fan settings, not just AC and MAX AC. And so on. Otherwise, its a nice comfortable truck and has pulled its weight. Very pleased with the engine and drive train.
 
try driving in reverse for a mile or so .. only joking . you could jack up one wheel if you wanted to try though .
 
I think I got mine from here

http://www.odometergears.com/

didn't look to see if they have yours or not, but there are several companies that make aftermarket replacements.

Legally I'm not sure if this is all kosher or not but the way I look at it is, I didn't roll it back and it's recording mileage so it's better than just leaving it broken...
 
It's either the Odo motor, gears or the electronics that drives the Odo motor.

I doubt Ford still services something this old so the only fix is probably to find a used one, you could reset the mileage to match by taking it apart and adjusting it, if you really want to that is.
 
N8Nagel said:
I think I got mine from here

http://www.odometergears.com/

didn't look to see if they have yours or not, but there are several companies that make aftermarket replacements.

Legally I'm not sure if this is all kosher or not but the way I look at it is, I didn't roll it back and it's recording mileage so it's better than just leaving it broken...
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Amazing site! They have the worm gear, assuming that's the problem, and a pictorial guide to disassembling the dash for the Ford Ranger. :thmbsp:

Seems the gear disintegrates over time, which may be why they just sell that piece. They don't seem to have the motor, so if that's not working, I guess a used on is in order.

Just gotta find a few days where I don't need the truck...hard to do this time of year.
 
toxcrusadr said:
So can I get that odo gear? Do you have to be a certified honest mechanic and pee in a cup first to mess with the odometer?

I already curse the Ford engineers, at least the ones who designed the electrical system and picked out the parts. I've had door switches go bad so the ceiling light stays on and that danged dinger keeps dinging (starting to do it again, already on the second set of door switches). Cruise control quit, Ford diagnostic said it was some electrical part, replaced it, still doesn't work. Driver's window always goes all the way down unless you stop it. Intermittent wipers have random timing. AC comes on with ALL fan settings, not just AC and MAX AC. And so on. Otherwise, its a nice comfortable truck and has pulled its weight. Very pleased with the engine and drive train.
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Spot on about the electrical problems, Tox.
My '99 Ranger 4wd had several strange electrical problems, including the dome light staying on :screwy:

However, I upgraded to a new one in 2003 (FX4) and have fewer problems.

Good luck on fixing the odometer. Since they don't make Rangers anymore and few small-sized trucks, I am convinced they will increase in value. All five zillion of them :D

Roger
 
Fords are well known for that plastic gear breaking. You'll find that same issue across the entire fleet from the 90s.
 
toxcrusadr said:
AC comes on with ALL fan settings, not just AC and MAX AC. And so on. Otherwise, its a nice comfortable truck and has pulled its weight. Very pleased with the engine and drive train.
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i cant help with the Odo but this AC thing is by design.my 04 ranger does this and actually so does my 01 gmc sonoma...

in the ranger the labeled AC settings naturally provide AC as you would expect,but in reality the bi-level setting uses AC,and anything going to the windshield uses it for defog purposes,looking at the dial you would think there's only the two AC positions but in fact it's actually the reverse,there's only two that aren't!floor and vent...it's just how it's wired...this actually helps the system work better and prolongs the life of the AC system as it keeps it from seizing up and dying from lack of use...my AC still works perfectly in a 10 year old ranger with over 175k[km] on it.

there is a simple work-around,it's just a matter of installing a switch in one wire coming off the hvac controls,breaking the connection with a switch gets you the traditional AC on/off button and the ability to override the AC at will...memory sez it's a purple wire off the vent selector switch,tho i could be wrong on that...i haven't done it but i have thought about it :)
 
Thanks Rodzilla...that explains why it happens in the motor pool Tauruses too. I could hardly believe they were ALL busted the same. I'm used to Mazda, Toyota and Honda vehicles where you can make up your own mind to turn on the AC or not. :D

Good to know I'm not alone with the odo gear...I guess. :sigh:
 
Many things actually operate the AC compressor in a similar manner. My S10 does it, both of the Lincolns as well. The Towncar has old style slidey lever "automatic" climate control, the Mark VII has early electronic auto climate control. The S10 is your basic turny knob non-auto type. 80s GM products with the slidey levers worked the same way.
 
You would think I would have read the manual about that, since I've had the truck for about 10 years now. Duh.
 
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