98 Escort ZX2 speedo problem

Friend of mine just got a 1998 Escort ZX2 3.9L Auto. On the way home, she tried to turn on the cruise control, and she said the speedo quit working.

I assume this is a electronic speedo, I pulled the main fuse, unhooked the battery, and turned the lights on to get rid of any residual elec in the system, hoping that it would reset the system.

No good, the speedo is still not working.

I told her she needs to get a Chiltons for it and I would try to trouble shoot it further for her.

Any suggestions that I might check in the meantime?

Are the cruise control and speedo connected somehow or was it just a coincedence that it quit when she tried out the cruise?

Any help most appreciated.

Does smacking the top of the dash cause the speedometer to work? That is usually the first check that I do, it will let you know right away that it is a loose connection behind the gauges somewhere if it does come on.

Does smacking the top of the dash cause the speedometer to work? That is usually the first check that I do, it will let you know right away that it is a loose connection behind the gauges somewhere if it does come on.


I will have her try that, thanks!

She had a friend hit on the dash while she drove the car, no speedometer.

I guess in a way that is good news, hopefully no short or loose wire there.

Is it a coincidence that it went out when she turned the cruise control on, or are they tied together by a common component?

Thanks!

Sry it took so long for me to get back. I think it is a coincidence but not sure. Also the trick I told you doesn't always verify that it isn't in the dash but will always verify that it is. If it comes on when you smack it you know it is but if not the problem could still be in the dash. To make sure of what you are trying to find out you need to look at a wiring diagram, the intrument panel wiring diagram for your vehicle and probably the cruise control system diagram should help, you should start a new thread and ask for those diagrams someone might know where one is online.

This car had sit for a while and from what I understand mice had built some nests. I am going to get her to get a chiltons and we will see if we can trouble shoot it. I was hoping there is a fuse or something that I am missing right now.

If and when I find out what it is, I will post hopefully to help the next guy.

Appreciate the help.

Yeah. You are right. The speedometer and cruise control get the car's speed from the VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor). It is electronic. It is on top of the tranny. It has a white with black wire running into it and a blue wire running out from it. The cruise control has 2 fuses. A 15 amp Stop light fuse and a 10 amp ASC (Automatic Speed Control?) fuse at the battery junction box.

About all you can do is check the controls for loose connections and broken wires. Check the cruise control fueses and since the vacuum servo for the throttle is operated by vacuum check all the vacuum hoses tightness, cracks and obvious vacuum leaks.

Check the 10 amp ASC fuse. I think that is the culprit.

Many thanks for the help, I will check the above and see if I can find something.

A Haynes manual is cheaper, easier to find (at just about any parts store), and easier to understand. Chilton's is very thorough, but you won't need all the info in it... keep it simple and get the Haynes manual.

A Haynes manual is cheaper, easier to find (at just about any parts store), and easier to understand. Chilton's is very thorough, but you won't need all the info in it... keep it simple and get the Haynes manual.


I agree that the Haynes is simpler, but all to often they give the phrase refer to a professional on things that I can handle myself if I know what I need to do.

I have probably 20 Haynes and Chilton books on various vehicles, including some of the older Chilton's that are 5 inches thick and cover about every car out there for a specific year range.