Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Speedometer quit working and gave me a headache

Over the weekend I was driving along at 60 mph in my 95 Contour.The speedometer stopped working and then the overdrive disengaged.Afterward there was harsh and irratic shifting especially from 1st to second.Also when the shifter is placed in the 1st position it is actually in second.I started to look for the problem and noticed the speedometer is electronic.I can see reason for the overdrive and shifting problems resulting from speedometer failure but what would this have to do with the incorrect gear selecton mentioned? Where is the sending unit for the speedometer located? Is there a simple cure? Could I open up the dash unit and tape the speedometer needle in the 55 mph position for a temporary cure? Just a thought. Do I need to take out a bank loan? Should I look into trading it off? My Contour has 130,000 plus miles on it.So far the only expense has been for a timing belt.

Welcome onboard.

Sounds like VSS (vehicle speed sensor) which advises atx/engine and speedo of speed, accessible on exterior of transmission. I thought '95 models had mechanical speedos although that may only be v6 models, I note you have I4 (timing belt).

I have a similar problem with my '95 V-6. The speedometer is electronic (built in late model year for 95). I had just replaced my bank 1 (back one) O2 sensor. After installing the new sensor, I disconnected the Neg. battery post and let it sit for 10 mins. Then reconnected it and went for a test drive. The speedo and odometer had stopped working (worked fine before). The engine also stalls and runs poorly at times. Other times it runs great, more power then before. I also have 130,000+ miles (136,000). I am wondering if there is a fuse or something somewhere that went out.

Do you have any engine problems? I have a manual trans. so I am not having any tranny problems?

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!!

JSAMPSO-I talked with a mechanic Friday and he said my problem is probably the speed sensore or a breaker.We are going to check it on Monday.I asked at the Ford parts place and the cost of the sensore(if needed)is either $45 or $57 depending date of manufacture.I hope it is only a breaker though.
My trans is an automatic.My engine is the 4 cyl.I do have some hesitation but if I unplug the 02 sensor it runs smoothly with no hesitation.But when starting up I have to wait about 10 seconds to engage drive due to engine speed with sensor unplugged.It revs a little higher than normal when the sensor is unplugged and I wait for it to idle back down to prevent harsh engagement.These Contours are really finicky with those sensors.

I agree with the speed sensor diagnosis, just did that repair on my 95, all the same symptoms. Mine is a mechanical cable, if yours is really electronic perhaps that is why the manufacture date changes the needed part. Shouldn't take more than an hour labor although that experience is with the mechanical version.

Simple fix in the meantime is to shift by hand, starting from 2 is OK and once you get up to speed it should stay in 3rd gear.

jsampson, get under your car. On the rear of the tranny near the rear O2 sensor wire connection,look up. You will see a black sensor sticking straight up from the top of the tranny. Disconnect the harness that plugs into the sensor, then there is a lock pin that needs to be pulled out from the side of the tranny. This pin holds the sensor in the tranny. Once you get the pin out pull the sensor straight up and it should come out, this is your vss. There is also a little gear inside of the now existing hole. Pull it out also. The gear is tiny and is usaully the problem(they break)If you need one let me know I have the vss sensor and the gear(its out of a 98 svt so the gear might be differnt ratio)