Speedometer Problems

I have a 1996 Ford Explorer which seems to has a mind of its own. Within the last year the speedometer has been acting up after about 40 minutes of driving the vehicle, and it will stop working, but eventually go back to working after a long time of not. I've had it to the mechanics and they have no idea what is up and I don't want to have to replace the whole unit, since the car isn't really worth putting the money into it, seeing as it already had about 200,000 miles on it and is merely a winter vehicle to me. Please help me!

Does your Explorer have ABS and if so, does the ABS work?

I'm not positive on the 1996, but on many of the late-'90's and newer Ford products, the speedometer gets it's signal from the ABS wheel speed sensors. If the ABS works but the speedometer does not, then the problem is likely in the instrument cluster, and probably a bad connection. Instrument panel flex cables have been an issue.

-Rod