how to remove the vehicle speed sensor from a 2000 ford windstar

[toughguy1286]

how to remove the vehicle speed sensor from a 2000 ford windstar, i know where it is, but how the hell do i get it out .i tried for 4 hours.....just cant reach the damn thing......help. do i need a special tool or something thanks.







p.s.i forgot my p/w and the forum never emailed back when i requested a new one, hence the name change, i had to redo my login info. what gives, thanks

[12Ounce]

It ain't easy. I ended up taking the RH exhaust manifold off, IIRC ... to get my fat arm up there from below. Cowl was off ... just for light, I suppose. One screw on a little cover that goes with it. Hand mirror, etc.

Do you need a photo of a tranny extension in the open?

[carltonlarsen]

This is an invisible part. It is on top of the tranny right inside the right wheel output shaft. That puts it behind the back cylinder on the right side of the engine. Yes, below the cowl and the windshield wiper assembly. To dig my way down to it I took out the cowl and the wipers. From there I reached down and found the steel box that hides it even better. The box is held on by the single 8mm head screw that secures the sensor. It is a nasty reach and only vaguely visible by inspection mirror. Once you can feel it you can undo it. Expect to drop the wrench and have to fish under the van for it a few times. Going at it from below was a waste of time.

Good luck and grow an extra elbow near your wrist if you can.

[wiswind]

The one on my '96 was accessed from below.......a feel your way job.
There is a connection in the speedometer cable (if you have the mechanical speedometer) kind of below the big air flex hose that goes from the air filter to the throttle body.
So....when feeling around from below......if your hand is above the sensor......when you feel the speedometer cable.......follow it down with your fingers to get to the sensor.

It might be easiest to disconnect the speedometer cable at the connection I mention above.
Then remove the sensor bolt from below, and then remove the sensor and intermediate speedometer cable together.
Then.....carefully compair the new sensor with the old to make certain that it is the same size, if not......you may have the wrong sensor and will waste time trying to get it installed into a place that it does not fit.

It might be easiest to connect the intermediate speedometer cable to the sensor.....feed it down from above, then go under the vehicle and put it into place and install the bolt.