How do you replace a 1996 Windstar speedometer cable?

Answer 1

Hey VILLETTE===The Windstar has an electric speedo so if yours has quit, the speed sensor PROBABLY needs replaced. It needs to be checked out. GoodluckJoe

Sorry to butt in, and I could be incorrect, but I believe that the '96 Windstars, or at least the GL's, came with three different front console options, two of which did in fact have mechanical speedo's. I know that mine at least does.

How about this: Are you having trouble with a bouncy, noisy mechanical Windstar speedometer? I had this problem and after taking everything apart I found that the problem was the plastic clip holding the cable on the end of the speedometer. If I had just put a clamp on engine side of the cable that pushed it back into the speedometer it would have fixed the problem. So before you replace the cable, try pushing the cable back into position from the engine side. The through-hole is above the master cylinder diaphragm on the right side. You may be able to reach it without taking anything apart (if you have skinny arms).

I had a Haynes manual but nowhere was there any information about a mechanical speedometer cable so I had to wing it.

You have to perfomr some trim removal on the inside cab and on the outside. I don't think I can describe every detail here but I will try to give you the basic idea.

Inside the cab: Remove trim piece under the dashboard. Remove the bezel cover (clear plastic shield over the speedometer) Remove the upper steering column cover (includes lock cylinder removal). remove shift lever indicator cable Undo screws around the instrument cluster module (anothere clear plastic shield) and then the two screws at the base of the speedometer. The speedometer should be somewhat free, only hanging by the cable in the back.

Outside the cab: Remove the windshield wipers and antenna. Remove the plastic grill between the windshield and the hood. This includes the plastic cover and the wiper motor assembly. Watch out for the washer fluid tubing. It's tricky to do this without damaging the tubing. Remove the the air intake ducting between the air filter and throttle body (not necessary but makes it eaiser reach the cable)

Finally you will be able to see where the speedometer cable clips into another cable that goes to the speed sensor. The speedo cable is the one on the upper right above the master cylinder diaphragm.

Now, assuming that my windstar is like many others, you will have to figure out how to get the clip in the connector to let go of the cable. Pulling the clip out didn't work. What I had to do was get some needle nose pliers to bend the clip enough to clear the cable flange. This took me about 10 minutes and I had to bend it back to get the clip to hold the cable when I put everything back together.