VSS sensor gone bad? Focus 2002 1.6

[exsodius]

Hello!

I have had this needle dropping to zero for three years now and can't get it sorted out. It happens only in moist/cold weather about 5-10 minutes after starting the car. Needle stays at zero for a minute and then it works again. Recently this now happens 2 times in a row with a few minutes between. I unplugged the vss sensor plug and sprayed WD40 inside both male and female plug. I also used a little screwdriver on the female plug and bent those little connectors to make them tighter. Now its all the same.

Could it be anything else than the vss sensor?

[iminhell]

I've been having this issue for a while off and on also.
Only thing I've narrowed it down to is the main engine ground and high resistance.
For the life of me I can't figure out why just the speedo goes crazy, but that's the only fix I've ever found for mine.

Other thing I've noticed is if you hold a steady speed then stab the throttle the needle will jump a bit and seems to read a bit off vs accelerating slowly.

[Obocecha]

I had a problem with my speedometer needle jumping around a couple years ago. Believe it or not it was the coil pack. After replacing with a new one, the problem was gone.

[exsodius]

Originally Posted by iminhell

I've been having this issue for a while off and on also.
Only thing I've narrowed it down to is the main engine ground and high resistance.
For the life of me I can't figure out why just the speedo goes crazy, but that's the only fix I've ever found for mine.

Other thing I've noticed is if you hold a steady speed then stab the throttle the needle will jump a bit and seems to read a bit off vs accelerating slowly.

Where is the main ground?

[exsodius]

Originally Posted by Obocecha

I had a problem with my speedometer needle jumping around a couple years ago. Believe it or not it was the coil pack. After replacing with a new one, the problem was gone.

This was interesting. The wire for the vss is pretty close to the coil pack. I'll check that out.

[nilskje]

Does the odometer still work, or has it started showing only ---?. The head temp sensor is also known to pick up noise from the spark plug wires and give these problems, try to loosen this cable from the moutings and not to run it along the spark plug wires, if y have a high mileage, it will in most cases help to replace the VSS anyway..

[whynotthinkwhynot]

If you can't find where you're gaining resistance, check the bulkhead connector located in the left side (on US Foci, maybe same for you, maybe not) fender well. It should enter the cabin behind the interior fuse box. It's basically 2 parts sandwiching the firewall, and a long 6mm bolt holds it together. I'd put some grease on the pins and in the pin receptacles.

Also, remove the instrument cluster. I've seen more than one FF on here with a loose instrument cluster connector, but that usually leads to other issues besides the one you're having.

[exsodius]

Originally Posted by nilskje

Does the odometer still work, or has it started showing only ---?. The head temp sensor is also known to pick up noise from the spark plug wires and give these problems, try to loosen this cable from the moutings and not to run it along the spark plug wires, if y have a high mileage, it will in most cases help to replace the VSS anyway..

The ---- odometer and abs light on has happened a few times. But after checking this out i found that this only happens when i drive faster than 50 mph or 80 km/t exactly when the needle drops. My mileage is 70.000 miles. I will check out the temp sensor wire.

[Vijay]

Hi
New member just joined forum for the first time today while driving my focus (2001) detects collection the speedo needle dropped to zero odometer displayed ---- abs light came on
Any idea members what caused this

[exsodius]

Originally Posted by Vijay

Hi
New member just joined forum for the first time today while driving my focus (2001) detects collection the speedo needle dropped to zero odometer displayed ---- abs light came on
Any idea members what caused this

Happens to me many times too, yesterday also. I believe its the VSS sensor on the gearbox.