1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

1989 F150 speedometer not working

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 05-17-2012 | 07:56 PM
Bluethunder3320's Avatar
Bluethunder3320
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
1989 F150 speedometer not working

recently got this truck and already done a ton of work to it (new leafs, shackles, shocks, shock mounts, brake lines, brake rebuild, wheel cylinders, other stuff)

well the speedo, odometer, temp guage, and oil pressure guage all dont work. i thought maybe it had to do with the cable or gear but since they all dont work is it somehting electrical?

i can post pics of anything if you guys need. its a 4x4, 300 i6, 4 speed plus OD manual

thanks
 
  #2  
Old 05-18-2012 | 01:50 PM
Edgethis's Avatar
Edgethis
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,463
Likes: 508
From: Tobyhanma, PA
I would check for a fuse. I believe you should have the elect dash panel so you may have to pull the cluster to check to make sure the harness is connected properly. If that still doesn't help you may need a new cluster.
 
  #3  
Old 05-20-2012 | 09:12 PM
Bluethunder3320's Avatar
Bluethunder3320
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
i took the dash apart and unfortunately the harness still connected.

maybe the gear is busted? i cant figure out how to get this out (youre looking at the tranny near the clutch area)

 
  #4  
Old 05-20-2012 | 09:16 PM
White 97 xlt's Avatar
White 97 xlt
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,728
Likes: 3
From: Cleveland, TN
The speedometer cable will be towards the REAR of the transmission or in the transfer case if it's 4X4, both will be on the drivers side , it won't be in the area of the clutch......
 
  #5  
Old 05-21-2012 | 02:56 PM
Bluethunder3320's Avatar
Bluethunder3320
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by White 97 xlt
The speedometer cable will be towards the REAR of the transmission or in the transfer case if it's 4X4, both will be on the drivers side , it won't be in the area of the clutch......
oh yeah i guess that cable is for the tach?

theres a 2 wire plug near the rear of the tranny, but i THINK its for the reverse lights.



and theres a 2 wire plug on the transfer case but i think its for the 4x4 light...



this is the model of transmission i have



any chance the wires on the rear differential are for the speedo?
 
  #6  
Old 05-21-2012 | 04:38 PM
Bluethunder3320's Avatar
Bluethunder3320
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
do you guys think this is the problem?

RockAuto Parts Catalog
 
  #7  
Old 05-22-2012 | 10:14 AM
Edgethis's Avatar
Edgethis
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,463
Likes: 508
From: Tobyhanma, PA
The rock auto catalog is seldom the problem, its usually the solution!

The tach traditionally goes to the coil, not sure on these SD EFI pieces....

The rear diff sensor is a vehicle speed sensor/ rear ABS sensor if I'm not mistaken...

What DOES work on the cluster? anything? I still think its something other then a speed sensor as you have multiple gauages not working
 
  #8  
Old 05-22-2012 | 11:40 AM
kevin206's Avatar
kevin206
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: McMinnville, TN
I may be a little off on this, but i thought the speedo in an 89 was gear driven.

My recent experience is with an 89 F250 4WD 5 speed. I bought the speed sensor that you linked to. And I bought a new gear because mine had enough wear that it would jump a bit. My REAL problem turned out to be a slightly elongated speedo drive cable.

I took off the 11mm retaining nut from the speed sensor and pulled it from the transfer case. I could turn the gear, but there was a lot of resistance. Then I pulled the cable from the speed sensor. The gear/speed sensor assembly now turned freely, AND the cable now turned freely. Stuck them back together. Resistance. Pulled apart. Free spinning. So I took a 4.5" angle grinder and took a small amount off the cable. I kept putting it back together and turning it, then took a little more off until it all turned freely. I put it all back together and now my speedo works flawlessly.

Good luck with yours. And be aware that the speed sensor/speedo cable changed places and functions a few times around 89.

Edit: I just updated my post about my problems.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post11863364
 
  #9  
Old 05-22-2012 | 12:02 PM
Edgethis's Avatar
Edgethis
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,463
Likes: 508
From: Tobyhanma, PA
Good catch! The speed sensor did change but not until around 91 IIRC.

However I still think there is another issue for all those gauges to be inop.
 
  #10  
Old 05-22-2012 | 03:53 PM
Bluethunder3320's Avatar
Bluethunder3320
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Thanks for the replies! I believe I figured out the cable I originally thought was the speedo, is actually a hydraulic clutch. The PO told me it didn't have hydro clutch.

The gas gauge, tach, and battery gauge definitely work. The coolant temp, and oil pressure MAY work, but they always seem to be stuck around the same spot. The speedo is just at 0.

I had to replace a heater hose pipe because it rusted through. When I was putting it back the water outlet pipe cracked in half. My only option was to get a new outlet, hardware store fittings, and put the temp gauge AFTER the thermostat on the way to the rad. This would only mean I would have to wait for the thermostat to open before getting a temp reading. I hope I didn't confuse anyone.

I'm going to go check the rear end to see where the wires go to and the t case as well wish me luck
 
  #11  
Old 05-25-2012 | 01:43 PM
Bluethunder3320's Avatar
Bluethunder3320
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
okay so a few days ago i found this, and i spun it with my finger and it made the speedo move a little.

where does it attach? it was tucked behind the gas tank with other wires. man the PO did not take care of this thing

and excuse the lack of rocker panels

 
  #12  
Old 05-25-2012 | 02:40 PM
White 97 xlt's Avatar
White 97 xlt
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,728
Likes: 3
From: Cleveland, TN
Originally Posted by Bluethunder3320
okay so a few days ago i found this, and i spun it with my finger and it made the speedo move a little.

where does it attach? it was tucked behind the gas tank with other wires. man the PO did not take care of this thing

and excuse the lack of rocker panels

Go back and actually READ post #4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
  #13  
Old 06-01-2012 | 10:22 PM
Bluethunder3320's Avatar
Bluethunder3320
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
i think i found where the cable attaches but im missing some parts..

does this have anything to do with it?

 
  #14  
Old 08-12-2015 | 06:13 AM
dtbradio's Avatar
dtbradio
New User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
On my E350, the speedo cable goes into the left side of the tranny towards the rear.
 
  #15  
Old 08-12-2015 | 11:46 AM
Willz74's Avatar
Willz74
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
It connects above where the rear driveshaft goes into the transmission
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
leier19
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
14
03-04-2017 08:34 AM
Benaghetto
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
10
03-02-2007 05:26 AM
green52
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
07-30-2005 06:45 PM
iceman06
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
08-01-2004 07:28 AM
evin
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
04-22-2004 10:05 AM



Quick Reply: 1989 F150 speedometer not working



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:51 PM.