I just got a 99 Ranger and am having problems. It was shifting jerky and riding jerky. I had no speedometer until i got on the freeway around 70-80mph it started working. I had it in 4th gear until i slowed down to exit onto the outerbelt. When i attempted to accelerate, the RPMs hit 5000 and i couldnt shift back up.

Now i can only get 1st and 2nd to work. I dropped the pan to flush and change the filter. The fluid smelled burnt i believe. The pan had black sludge and the filter appeared to be plugged up. I am still only able to get it in 2nd gear. There is a lot of rust underneath i should add as well

I am looking for suggestions. Also suggestions to get the speedometer and odometer to work.

I have tried turning OD off with no success. Reverse still works.

The engine runs so quiet that id like to keep using the truck. The odometer is stuck on 126000. I believe this mileage is within 10k miles accurate.

 

Welcome to the forum

1998-2000 Ranger use the rear axle ABS sensor for speedo/odo

Does the ABS light on the dash work?
It should come on and then go off with Key ON, that tells you if Bulb is OK

If ABS light works and is NOT on, when driving then ABS sensor is most likely OK

If ABS light does come on when driving then replace ABS sensor, easy to do and not expensive, some replace this senor on speculation, which in your case would be fine to do since you reported the speed signal do show up, just at a higher speed(voltage)

The GEM Module, behind the radio, is what converts the ABS signal to the Speed signal
If the GEM module is the problem you should also have a CEL(check engine light) and a code, P0500 - speed signal at computer is bad

Cluster is next, may need to pull it and check the speed wire connection on the back

 

Greetings, I’m new to the poll! My 1998 2.5L automatic trans is having the same problem than everyone in this poll. Mine was working and one day I went to not shifting and no speedometer/odometer working. I replace the speed sensor, GEM, ABS module and replace the cluster without luck. I know I have signal because the test plug at the engine bay have signal and the hardness inside the dash have continuity from the sensor in the differential. One time the transmission goes in limp mode it starts shifting but erratic and hard on each gear. I’m running out of options! I was trying to find a wiring diagram for the cluster to the GEM but no luck! I have a Check engine light on and a P0500 code.

 

Welcome to the forum

You should start your own thread

1998 Ranger does use the rear axle ABS sensor as its VSS(vehicle speed sensor), this was only used on 1998-2000 Rangers
Its 2 wires are spliced/split and run to both the GEM module and ABS module

No speedometer/odometer and P0500 in computer means no speed signal
If there is no ABS light then you know the rear axle sensor is OK(assuming ABS light works, lol)
If there was also an ABS light then rear axle sensor or its wiring would be the issue

So you are down to GEM and wiring
Speed signal only uses 1 wire, a grey/black wire, this is because the vehicles Ground acts as the 2nd wire in the circuit
The signal is AC Volts, yes AC, the AC volts are generated by the sensor on rear axle, .5 to 6vAC, based in speed

The GEM module is used to convert the rear axles 30,000ppm(pulse per mile) to the Ford standard 8,000ppm used by speedometers
GEM wiring diagram below
The 2 spliced rear axle wires run to pins 9 and 18 on GEM connector
Converted VSS 8,000ppm signal goes OUT to speedo, computer and Cruise on pin 1 of same connector(grey/black wire)

The grey/black wire is spliced and spits to go to the 2 or 3 devices, I have no idea where that is in the dash

The grey/black wire runs to pin 58 on computer and to pin 1 on cluster center connector, and pin 3 on cruise servo