i have searched for a thread with this problem but none with a 97 and im not sure how much the mechanics changed throughout the generation. Not only has the odometer broken but also the trip meter isnt working. This isnt a live or die thing but i like everything to work in my truck.

 

97 and 98 use a "VSS" gear located on the tail shaft of the trans (on top).

I had to change mine to a smaller gear when I got taller tires to correct the speedo/odo.

If you pull off the cover, you should be able to pull the gear out. I think there is a clip on it too, so take that off too...

Check to see if it still resembles a gear and has all it's teeth..

If the gear is okay, it could be the sender itself or even something in the gauge cluster??

I've not heard of someone with a problem like this and I've been around here since 2001..

Good luck!

Mitch

 

Check Odometergears.com. I used their stuff to fix the odometer in my Mustang last year. This is the one you want:

http://www.odometergears.com/product...ckup+94-98/105

 

thnks guys this problem has been puzzling me for months now.

 

Mine has been broken for some time. I swapped clusters after 20,000 miles and decided to butcher the old one. It looked like one of the gears stripped out of its holder pushing it into another gear. Just a cheap/bad design that is waiting to die. I don't understand why Ford used a digital odo in the 1995 MYs but went back to manual for 1997 and 1998

 

Because the PSOM units in '92-'96 are starting to fail every now and then.

Adrianspeeder

 

I have the same problem with my 97. Let us know what you find. I went to the dealer to price a new cluster and they wanted + $300, if they could find one. I'll definitely pull the trans gear to see if that is the problem first.

 

My odometer uit at 208,000, I just haven't checked it out. Looks like it's going to be a comon problem with this model.

 

Post #3 has the link for the solution. This applies to 97 and 98 only. Symptoms are odometer and trip meter not working, but speedometer is unaffected.

 

well guys my alternator just gave out. any ideas on what thats going to cost me?

 

A lifetime warranty reman is about 150 bucks.

 

Thanks, budmur! That gear you linked fixed it. I removed what was left of the original gear and it would crumble with a little bit of pressure.

Quick shipping from Odometer Gears via USPS with package tracking.

 

It is most likely the worm gear on the motor that turns your odometer. I had the same problem on my 97 F-150 XLT. Its not a hard fix and you can get the gear on ebay for $24. It is inside the instrument cluster. Took maybe 2 hours only because I didn't even know what I was looking for when I started my search. I took some pictures and don't know how to up load them to this thread but if interested let me know.

 

Could you please send me some photos of where you found the worm gear? I have a 97' ford xlt with a mechanical odometer and tripmeter. Neither will work. My email address is; kevinsteelwind@cablelynx.com

Thank you so much,...Mike

 

Could you please send me some photos of where you found the worm gear? I have a 97' ford xlt with a mechanical odometer and tripmeter. Neither will work. My email address is: m_baker@msn.com

Thanks,
-mike