Blank Odometer

Hey everyone,

Now I have a new problem I'd like some assistance on. 2000 Windstar w/ 3.8l. Drove it the other day and everything was great. Stopped somewhere and when I went to leave and started the engine, it ran rough for a few seconds. Applied some gas to even out the idle (which it did) and then it idled fine. I noticed as I was driving home that the digital odometer had dashes on it, instead of numbers. The speedometer works fine, just the odometer doesn't. If I turn the key off and back on, the miles will appear for about 10-15 seconds and then it goes to dashes again.

My code scanner will not connect to the PCM. It simply cycles through the protocols and never connects. I've checked fuse 10 and it's good. I've read where the Vehicle Speed Sensor can cause this (related to the fire recall). My speedometer works perfectly, so I'm assuming its not this.

One final symptom is that the odometer doesn't tick. When you power it on, it'll show you the mileage. Drive it around town, kill it, restart it, and the miles are the same as before. I do have an ABS light on, but I had it before these problems. I am awaiting a wheel speed sensor on the drivers side and that'll fix that problem.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what could be causing the problem?

I just looked the Speed Sensor up on the Rockauto website for your 2000 3.8L windstar.
It has a version for "with speedometer cable" and "without speedometer cable"
My '96 was different in that it had a Mechanical odometer and speedometer.
It sounds like your 2000 has a mechanical speedometer and a electronic odometer?
If that is the case, the speedometer gets the input through a speedometer cable that is connected to the Vehicle Speed Sensor......
The Odometer and the PCM (computer) get their input from the electronic output from the speed sensor.
There are 2 outputs......1 mechanical and 1 electronic.
When the one on my '96 windstar failed, the speedometer worked just fine.
However, my transmission was having issues with shifting because the PCM, which controls the transmission shifting, did not get the input from the speed sensor to know how fast the vehicle was moving.
There should be a "P" code stored if the VSS is not working.
This code may or may not light the CEL. (not all codes light the CEL).
This is a code that can be read with a generic OBDII code reader.

Now, for the problem of not being able to connect with the OBDII code reader, I am NOT familiar with how the VSS could cause this.
I would try going to your local AutoZone or other auto part store that offers a free reading of your OBDII codes.
Maybe it is some issue with just your code reader?.......doing this will find out.

I don't think is a problem with your VSS sensor. It sounds like a problem with the electronic circuits of your digital odometer. There's a CMOS chip inside that counts miles. If there's a short-circuit, it heats up and stop working.... until you restart-it.

The reason while it doesn't "tick" is that in 10sec you don't have enough time to travel 1 mile (unless you drive at 360 mph). The odometer tick only when it shows mile.

You can try something to confirm that it tick. Press the button to display the Trip A and reset it. Then drives the fastest as possible (go up to 40mph). Then stop, and restart your engine, and go again up to 40 mph. You should able to make 0.1 mile in 20 seconds of measurement.

To repair it, I believe the whole unit should be replaced or repaired (if it's an obvious short-circuit inside).