Speedometer cable location/issue

[Broncorad82092]

Hey guys. First post here. Bringing a 1991 bronco silver anniversary back to life and am trying to figure out where the speedo cable is located and what’s going on under my truck. The cable is currently just dangling under the truck and I can’t seem to locate where it attaches to the transfer case. Is it the cable broken? For reference my bronco is a 91 5.8l with what I believe is a e40d transmission 4wd. Thanks for the help.

 

[Tiha]

Looks like yours has a speed sensor in the location the speedometer cable goes, maybe someone swapped the tcase?

 

[Broncorad82092]

Looks like yours has a speed sensor in the location the speedometer cable goes, maybe someone swapped the tcase?

View attachment 32647View attachment 32648

Hmmmm… I thought maybe that was the case. No pun intended. From the pictures of the stock set up mine didn’t look the same but I’m unfamiliar so I wasn’t sure. This is my first time working on 90s fords. I’m familiar with old fords but not so much these years. So the picture you attached is a stock t-case? Or not. I guess I’m just unsure where to go from here. I’m also having issues with the bronco not shifting while in drive. Could this be related?

 

[Jimbo26]

Hey Rad, if it's any help, here is a shot of what my '91 looks like from that same angle. It's not a SA edition, is a EB with the same 351w-E4OD setup.
Everything is functional- speedo, 4X, etc.
Is possible a previous 'witch-doctor' may have left you hanging without the correct adapter to make everything go where it's supposed to.
If the Ecu/sensor is not getting or showing the correct info to the system then yes, that can cause whacko shifting.

 

[Tiha]

Probably need to pull that speed sensor and see what is in there, if it is a plastic gear for driving a speedometer or a star wheel for pulsing a sensor.

I agree, from first glance I would say someone swapped the T case.

 

[Broncorad82092]

Hey Rad, if it's any help, here is a shot of what my '91 looks like from that same angle. It's not a SA edition, is a EB with the same 351w-E4OD setup.
Everything is functional- speedo, 4X, etc.
Is possible a previous 'witch-doctor' may have left you hanging without the correct adapter to make everything go where it's supposed to.
If the Ecu/sensor is not getting or showing the correct info to the system then yes, that can cause whacko shifting.

Thank you so much for the reply. I had a feeling something was wrong there. There are some ”hillbilly” mods going on with this truck and it seems like they got to the speedometer cable. Also it sat in a high sierra yard for the better part of 8 or so years. Fun stuff. Lol. All in all it’s in ok shape for sitting under snow for multiple winters and it was free so can’t complain. I’ll have to get my hands on a new adapter and cable somewhere and switch it out to see if it helps my shifting issue. Any idea what that piece would be called? Can’t seem to locate one online. Also wondering if I have a deep or regular depth transmission pan. Is there an easy way to tell? Appreciate everyone’s time.

 

[Broncorad82092]

Probably need to pull that speed sensor and see what is in there, if it is a plastic gear for driving a speedometer or a star wheel for pulsing a sensor.

I agree, from first glance I would say someone swapped the T case.

Yeah I am going to pull that speed sensor out this evening and see what’s going on in there. It also looks like the cable is broken at the end in comparison to replacement cables I have been looking at. Yeah I am not sure if the t case was swapped. Just curious what makes you think the t case was swapped? The 5.8l in the truck is running great so I am eager to get this shifting/t case issue solved.

 

[Broncorad82092]

Probably need to pull that speed sensor and see what is in there, if it is a plastic gear for driving a speedometer or a star wheel for pulsing a sensor.

I agree, from first glance I would say someone swapped the T case.

Looks like a star wheel for pulsing sensor. So does that tell me this isn’t the stock t case? And whoever swapped it just left my Speedo cable dangling. Would that also mean this sensor might be bad, making the trans not shift?

 

[Broncorad82092]

So I have identified the transfer case as a borg Warner bw1356 by the number on the front side of the case. Which from what I can tell is the “stock” t case. But I still can’t figure out why the **** I have a speedometer cable dangling under the truck but also what appears to be a vss where the speedometer cable would go? I’m confused as all **** with this thing. Help!!! Thanks again.

 

[Tiha]

In like 92 they went to a electronic speedo. So if someone swapped the T case, even though it is right model it could still be wrong.

Couple options, swap t case, or pull the tail housing and swap the reluctor wheel for a gear to drive the speedo.

 

[wyo58]

Yeah that speed sensor you have is one made for the rear axle, it will not work with your dash and T case. The axle has an exciter wheel along with the ring gear for the PSOM cluster. That all started in 1992 I believe. you need the one like both the pictures Tiha and Jimbo sent you. it has an actual gear and electrical pick up as well. Maybe check a salvage yard for the whole cable assembly F150 and possibly F250 will be the same and same length.

 

[Jimbo26]

No problemO, Rad
'Used cars' & witch-doctor Riggin
buyer beware......X2 when it's free.
You have a jigsaw puzzle on hand and the clues are in place.
Not sure what the nomenclature would be on that speedo drive adapter doohickey would be. I'll wager '.....adapter' something or other.
Try Rock auto. They seem pretty good at odd stuff like that. Either that or the salvage pool.
Good luck and keep us in the loop.

 

[Broncorad82092]

So through trying to obtaining a title and looking at the carfax history through my wife’s shop I found that this bronco has a rebuilt title. And that at some point someone likely switched the cluster. This makes me think that the cluster is from a later model maybe? I’m not sure. Maybe that’s why my speedo cable is just dangling and in its place is that speed sensor? You guys think this thing is worth sorting out? It’s pretty beat in all aspects which I don’t care about aesthetics because it’s going to be a trail and hunting rig. But it almost seems more trouble than it’s worth at this point. What’s y’all’s opinion?

 

[wyo58]

The later model is the PSOM cluster. It has digital milage square on the bottom of the display. It does not use any cable just wires in to the cluster from the speed sensor on the rear axle.