96 speedometer erratic

[hytwr1]

Our '96 wagon is having some speedometer trouble. The readings are erratic to the hgh side. Normally if it was twitching low, I would suspect sticking cable. This registers about 10 MPH high intermittently and you can hear a high pitch squeal when it happens. Do these cars use a mechanical design with speedo gear in the tranny, etc.? Or is there a speed sensor some place?

Thanks
Bill

[riccbhard]

I'm not to sure about these years; but I think these are mechanical. The speedometer cable or gear may be bad.

[dougand3]

I think mechanical, too. I'd pull the instument cluster and detach cable. Then pull out inner spinning cable and put a bunch (maybe 1/2 cup) of multipurpose grease in it. I found a grease gun with a needle worked well. When it overflows with grease, push the grease thru with the cable, remove cable and repeat 3-4 times. I did this recently on a 95 Isuzu and that speedo works like new. That screeching when it's cold is scary. My buddy neglected his and it busted the speedo wand off.

[AzTumbleweed]

I think lithium grease is best. If you're going to all the work of pulling your instrument panel then maybe you'd be best off putting in a new cable.

[hytwr1]

Thanks for the ideas. I'll see what I can find in it. My wife tells me it only does this when the weather is cold. (I don't drive it often".

[AzTumbleweed]

Sounds like it needs some lube. Use white lithium grease. But like I said, with all the work envolved it might be easier to replace it. If you are good at getting into tight places then you could replace the cable w/housing without pulling the dash.

I had my dash out yesterday. It was a nightmare. You have to drop the steering column to do it. There is a big plastic assembly called a multi-function switch or something like that. It is for the headlights, 4 way flashers, turn signals, wipers, washer, even the horn goes through it. Well mine broke in two!!!!! What a bitch that was. Had to pull the steering wheel off to remove it. Hopefully my glue job will hold. It's all back together now. What a pain!

[Escorts4ever]

There is a technical service bulletin on the speedometer head for 94-96 escorts with 120 mph heads. The head is a straight mechanical design. The problem you describe is usually only found on north country/cold weather cars. But anyway, the speedometer head is the whole problem. Squeeling, irratic operation-80 mph reading when you are going 15 or 20. Most of the time it will operate somewhat near normal when it warms up in the car or the weather warms up. I have had to change the one in my 95, I got it out of a salvage yard from a 93. No trouble for 2 years now.

[hytwr1]

I pulled the cable and lubed etc. without pulling the wteering wheel or MFS. Still have the same type of problem and was beginning to think it is the speedo.

Escorts4ever wins the prize I believe. This is a north country cold weather place.

Off to the wrecking yard I go.

Thanks

[hytwr1]

Well, I've swapped speedometers with another used 120mph one. Even swapped odometers so the numbers are correct.

My next quetion is how do I make sure the new speedometer reads correct speeds, short of having a police officer hit me with radar? During test driving it seem to be reading a litte low.

Are there different units for the 1.8 and 1.9l engine? What about gear ratios?

Thanks
Bill

[Davescort97]

To check it out get on a highway with mile markers. You should cover a mile in 1 minute to be at 60 MPH.

[hytwr1]

Did the mile in 60 seconds thing and it doesn't seem right. Based on the tach readings, the speedo is reading about 10MPH low. I'd rather have it read too high than too low.

Switched back to the squealing speedo and proved the new one is not correct.

Shot some TDL lube in the squealer and will see if it quiets down.

Thanks
Bill

[hytwr1]

Okay, the speedo squeal is back. I don't have the $$ to keep buying used speedos at $40 a pop that don't read correctly. They come with no guarantee. So, does anybody happen to have the details of that TSB escorts4ever mentioned?

Thanks

[Escorts4ever]

You can check with your local Ford dealer for the tsb. But if memory serves me there is only one part number listed listed for a speedo head. I don't really know why there is a 10 mph difference. Never had that problem before.

[hytwr1]

I checked with my local dealer and they said they would call if/when they found it. They never did call me back. Also had them look up the part number and the speedos are no longer available.

So, I bit the bullet and bought another used one out of a '94 from a different wrecking yard. So far so good.

Thanks