Questions and Answers

Ford Explorer Lost Cruise Control, OD Q. Vince, I have a 1992 Ford Explorer with a 4.0 liter V-6 and automatic transmission. It had Cruise Control. I believe it has ABS, but may only be a partial system. It ran fine until about 105,000 miles when I left it at the Airport garage for a three day trip out of town. When I came home, I hopped in the truck and took off up the expressway. For the first two miles all was fine.

Then the O/D slipped in and out three or four times and hasn't been seen since. However, a few days later I was on a long back road commuting to work at slower speeds when I went to use the cruise and it would hold the speed. I can't even tell if the system is coming online.

I checked the fuses and relays. Nothing is blown. I am hoping to get to Autozone to get the codes read. Any idea what systems might be linked that would cause O/D and Cruise Control to shutdown simultaneously? Could the VSS do it?

Thanks,
Dan

A. It could be the Vehicle Speed Sensor/Cruise Control Transducer. You can test it easily enough. Of course if the problem is intermittent the test will be inconclusive.

1. Disconnect speed sensor connector, then connect an ohmmeter between dark green/white and black wires.
2. A reading of 180-250 ohms should be obtained. A reading of 0 ohms indicates a shorted coil and an infinity reading indicates an open coil.
3. Replace sensor if a proper reading has not been obtained.

The VSS is located on the output housing of the transmission or the transfer case with all wheel drive.

The Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) is a magnetic pulse generator driven by the transmission speedometer gear. The VSS produces 16 AC signals per revolution and sends this signal to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).

The PCM converts this signal to a vehicle speed value and stores that value in RAM memory. The PCM uses this value to aid in controlling torque converter lock-up, coolant fan control, vehicle speed control, air/fuel ratio and ignition timing.