according to the owners manual this could be related to a problem with the ABS. I have the same problem and am looking for a diy solution. also from the owners manual the ABS controls the transmission , and my transmission is shifting roughly, which is what I noticed before I noticed that the speedometer wasn't working.
The odometer on a 96 Ford Explorer is tied into the speedometer. If the speedometer is working then there is a gear problem inside of the speedometer causing the odometer to not work.
I need to fix the odometer and speedometer in a 97 ford explorer
Your speedometer may have failed, or the speedometer cable that connects to the transmission, or the plastic gear in the transmission may be broken.
On a 1995 Ford Ranger : The ODOMETER is near the center of your speedometer
On a 1997 Ford Thunderbird : The odometer is in the middle of the speedometer
Start with the vehicle speed sensor the feeds the speedometer and odometer.Also look at the Brake/Speedometer problem associated with the Windstar recall for a leaking brake pressure switch
I had a similar problem on my old 90 Nissan pathfinder and it ended up been a Speedometer cable that broke.
There is no such thing as an "odometer sensor." There is a vehicle speed sensor that is located on the output shaft housing of the transmission. That sends info to the speedometer. From there, the speedometer and the odometer are both operated internally, so if your speedo is working, but the odometer isn't, you have a problem inside the speedo head assembly.
If the interior lights and overdrive are also not working then is a fuse. Look in the owners manual to see which fuse.
If the speedometer works but the odometer does not work, you have to replace the worm gear on the back of the speedometer. you can buy one from: SPEEDOMETER GEARS.COM part# 10-021w 95-99 ford explorer/ranger/f-series price includes shipping inside the u.s phone # 1-800-446-2880
Replace the speedo head assembly. It is a sealed unit, with no servicable parts. If the speedometer is working, then the cable and the speedo drive gears are working. The failure must be inside of the speedo head assembly itself.
Speedometer is ran by electronic sensor on rear end. Odometer is ran from speedometer. If both don't work problem is sensor. If speedometer works sensor is okay. If speedometer works and odometer does not problem is in mechanical parts (gears) of of odometer and has to be replaced. Can get used from eBay (search for speedometer or odometer, is one unit) or take to dealer.