'95 - no cruise control, jumping gears, chk engn lt

I have a 1995 ford contour 4 cylinder. A couple of days ago, in the middle of a long trip, the cruise control, speedometer and odometer all stopped working. Before that happened the car was kind of surging in cruise control. A little after the cruise control went out the car started having trouble shifting. It seems to hang a little bit between 1st and 2nd and then jump into gearing, causing the whole car to lurch forward.

I think it is the VSS. Does this sound right? Our repair manual says the speed sensor is on the top of the engine but somewhere on this forum someone said it is at the rear of the transmission. Are they different sensors?

could be the alternator or vss. id get the cel pulled first.