Speedometer stopped working again

the_matrix

Hi

I have a Ford Fusion car.

I checked my air pressure and added a bit of air to my tyres. Now the speedometer has stopped working??? It won't move at all.

Will it fix itself? Can I reset it? Or do I have to go to a mechanic and get it replaced?

Thanks

Strider590

How old is the car?

I'd place money on the battery being on it's last legs..... Dashboard and/or speedo failure is often the first sign these days.

Ratboy

You said it failed 'again', so what was the initial fail caused by?

A car battery starts acting weirdly after 10 years or so, so doubt that?

Looksguywalker

the_matrix wrote: »

Hi

I have a Ford Fusion car.

I checked my air pressure and added a bit of air to my tyres. Now the speedometer has stopped working??? It won't move at all.

Will it fix itself? Can I reset it? Or do I have to go to a mechanic and get it replaced?

Thanks

Recheck your tyre pressure at another garage and adjust it until the speedo starts working. Left rear is the critical one...Google it.:D

Strider590

Ratboy wrote: »

You said it failed 'again', so what was the initial fail caused by?

A car battery starts acting weirdly after 10 years or so, so doubt that?

3-6 years..... Depending on usage.

Short journeys, battery left at partial charge for long periods, expect no more than 4 years.

And (pre-empting the usual ill educated responses when battery is mentioned) measuring the voltage won't give you an indication of it's capacity. A low voltage (after charging/driving) only tells you that one or more of the 6 cells (2.1v each) has gone short circuit. It could measure 12.8v and have less capacity than a AA.
Like a 5litres bucket of water half filled with rocks, looks like 5litres until you try to use it.

the_matrix

Thanks for replies.

Initial fault was speedo electronic thing needed replacing.

It's a 2003 Diesel model. I don't drive it much. Mostly short journeys.

forgotmyname

Its so used to sitting at zero miles an hour you need to wake it up before using it.

Make it a cup of tea in the morning and some cereal or some toast. Inflate before the journey and see if that wakens it.

Ratboy

I just consulted my mechanic stepson, and the checking of tyres, linked to this speedo fail do add up, also with it being a diesel, also makes sense, because normally the speed is taken from from the coil, which you don't have so therefore the fault is;

Speed sensor, attached to ABS ring sensor (at the wheel), and a new one costs around £60 / ebay= £20ish. Common fault from my searching, and looks easy to fix, plug and play; many times the connector comes detached.

The sensor should be on one of the front wheels, but you may need to either unplug battery or put it on a diag machine to reset error code.

james007ago

i have the same problem with my focus 2002. i have replaced it now 4x. the good thing is i have a 2 year guarantee so they just keep on sending me once it stopped working again (hence im now expert in changing the speed sensor myself). however, i have discovered previously that sometimes it works again by running the car (say 2nd gear),put the gear in neutral position, turn off the engine while the car is running, then turn on the engine again as its sitting in neutral position. it works for me so i guess its worth giving it a try.

forgotmyname

Speed is taken from the ABS sensors on a lot of vehicles these days.

Speed taken from the coil? Doubtful, The speed will drop every time they put the clutch down and let the revs drop.

the_matrix

forgotmyname wrote: »

Speed is taken from the ABS sensors on a lot of vehicles these days.

Speed taken from the coil? Doubtful, The speed will drop every time they put the clutch down and let the revs drop.

Thanks for the replies.

Interesting you should say that. The speedo does not work but when I put the clutch down the revs meter suddenly drops. This means nothing to me but I'm sure you guys can make some sense of it.