my odometer isnt working anymore...and actually hasnt been working for a while now...i just have been to lazy to figure out why. so i thought i would ask around here to see if there is a reason for it. obviously i have lost miles on the truck being that it doesnt work but i want to have it back so i can check stuff like mpg and trip length and such. i have no idea how these things work so i also have no idea why one would stop working. i have a 1997 f150 with the 4.6l. any help or suggestions on this would be great. thanks

 

Try a search in the wheels section on tire size changes, and speedo correction.

I am taking a huge guess that the gear is stripped ( it is plastic ) and that is stopping the clock from turning ?? The gear change out is how the pre 1999 MY trucks got the speedo correction when changing tire sizes from what I recall reading some time ago ( hope I recall this correctly ). There should be a few how to listed in there, maybe try limiting to the wheel forum a search on gear plastic size ??? Else it might be time to read the way backs of the threads.
In a 1997, this is not an electrical issue, digital odometers were added with PATS in 1999 MY truck.

 

ohh ok. that makes sense. but if it is the gear that is stripped, wouldnt that keep my spedo from working? my spedo works fine...i am not sure how right it is but it seems to increase smoothly and everything. it must be something other than the gear...right? idk though. thanks for your help.

 

If the speedometer works fine and you have an inoperative mechanical odometer, the odometer has failed.

You'll need to pull the cluster and send it to a shop that specializes in that type of repair or you will need to replace the cluster.

Steve

 

where do i buy a new cluster at? and if i do get a new cluster, will it start over at 0 or do i have to set it to what i think the mileage is? thanks.

 

Steve already answered you, but yes you are correct, I did not think that one through all the way when I replied to the thread. Sorry about that.

Never tried ordering a new cluster, I know on the Digital ones, there is more to do with it then just swap out ( HEC & PATS ), so it is not a DIY move.

I guess you could try a bone yard for one ?? I am not thinking of anything that would stop this ( aside from the millage would only be close, not actual ). On older motorcycles, we would just keep the old one, and install the new one, so you could add them together for actual millage ( and make the note on the title ), but that was back in the 80s.

 

The 97's cluster is nothing special as is the 99 and up (HEC/PATS) cluster.

Swapping it can be a DIY job.

Steve

 

cool cool. where should i get one? just a used one at a junk yard? or could it be as simple as a loose wire behind there and when i pull it out, i will find that and it might fix it? i guess i will follow it and see if i can find the source of why it isnt working.

 

I just drove my 2007 F-150 XLT where two web sites told me the mileage was 355 miles. When I got to my destination the trip monitor only had 190 miles on it and on my return trip was a little longer and the total milage was only 350 miles. I should have driven 710 miles on the round trip. What could be the problem? It is working but not correct.

Mike

 

Ok I just got my GPS fixed and I have nailed down the milage lost to 2 miles every 13. Any ideas why this is happening? Also now I notice my fuel gage was 1/2 full but when I filled up it took 15.66 gallons, I only have a 26 gallon tank.

Mike

 

Seriously, start your own thread in the most appropriate forum section.