No speedometer and odometer after accident.

M

markup97

Lost in Translation
Well, this morning started out bad. Wrecked the Lincoln on the way to work; spun at 80mph (car did an immediate left after I passed a vehicle) and went for a thrill-ride of trying to NOT hit anyone around me. After a few direction changes and a LOT of tire smoke, I ended up in the center (wet grass) median with my drivers-side nose hitting the guardrail pretty hard (both airbags deployed). Shut the car off and put it in Park, did a walk-around to inspect the damage, and opened the hood (it still opens and closes nicely). Closed it back up, hopped in, turned the key, and prayed. She fired up, went into gear, and I was able to drive her the 9 miles home with NO ill handling or incident.

What this is leading up to is I now have a 'Check Traction Control' message, along with a dashed-out odometer reading/inoperative speedometer. All other gauges work fine and all other lights work. My question: would the lack of odometer/speedometer be caused by either the 'Check Traction Control' message or the deployed airbags? If not, do I have some sort of VSS that may have suffered failure in the impact?

I am going to try my best to fix the car and continue driving it. Any thoughts or directions to look into guys?
 
C

chris2523

New member
sliding through the grass may have piled dirt up on a wheel speed sensor. pull the wheels off and clean. if the error persists, start checking the ABS sensor wiring for damage.
 
M

Meister

New member
Behind the front drivers side bumper is the ABS module. Sounds like you may have damaged it. If you pull out the drivers side wheel well it is right there in front of the wheel. Easy enough to inspect.

Doug
 
driller

driller

El Presidente
Sure sounds like a wheel sensor issue since the Gen2s utilize the abs wheel sensors for vehicle speed.

markup97 said:
...spun at 80mph (car did an immediate left after I passed a vehicle) and went for a thrill-ride ...
Click to expand...
Does this have anything relative to recent issues you've had?
 
M

markup97

Lost in Translation
Driller, it is unrelated as everything that was causing the issue was replaced. Strange thing, the car drove arrow-straight even after hitting the rail like it did! I cannot complain about these cars after incident, she held up well and got me home.

The ABS control module (drivers side wheel well) was crushed when the bumper came back into it. That is what is causing both the speedo and the odometer issues (goes without saying it is causing the 'check traction control' message). The speedo and odometer work until the car does its systems check, at which time the odometer dashes out and the speedo needle ceases to move, with the accompanying 'Check Traction Control' message. At least now I know why and what parts to yank from a salvage yard car.

The car really is beyond economical saving. It twisted enough to ripple the passenger rear quarter panel. Doors still are square and they open/close nicely. I will have to find another black dash (or dye a lighter dash to black) and steering wheel. I will save this car, even though reason will go by the wayside. Emotion rules this day. Funny, for a car I bought to use for parts to a car I now am looking for parts to save. Strange how the Mark VIII grows on you.
 
driller

driller

El Presidente
markup97 said:
Driller, it is unrelated as everything that was causing the issue was replaced. Strange thing, the car drove arrow-straight even after hitting the rail like it did!
Click to expand...
I was trying to read into this... "...spun at 80mph (car did an immediate left after I passed a vehicle)..."? :confused:
 
M

markup97

Lost in Translation
I was along your same line of thinking, as the direction change was quite sudden. After going back to the accident scene and replaying the events that led up to it, I believe the second issue I had schedules to be resolved Saturday (the 14th) got me. The previous owner had the car set for 0* camber at static right height. As the car would lower at highway speed, the camber would transition into a +camber situation (or as the suspension would cycle), causing the tires to run on just their outer edges (this is just my assumption based on tire wear patterns and the handling characteristics of the car). I had just changed lanes when this accident occured, throwing the cars alignment into a +camber load. That, coupled with the very light dampness of the road surface, combined to throw the car into the uncommanded turn and subsequent spin/slide/collision. These are merely speculative figurings. The tires and alignment were to be corrected and replaced the day after the accident (talk about it being a day late and how the best intentions go afoul, or the best laid plans go astray).

As for the electrical issues caused by the impact: I was able to pull (and unfortunately buckle) the bumper back away from the AIR valve and the ABS module. The ABS module is on the other side of the core support from the AIR valve. The impact drove the bumper and AIR back into the core support, bending it into the ABS module. I will investigate further when time allows.
 
tonybrooklyn

tonybrooklyn

New member
Glad you were not hurt!
When those Marks break the rear loose they come right around on ya.
Next thing you know your past the point of no return.
I did it a few years back on a road that just started to ice over.
I got lucky and just murdered a mailbox on my way into a ditch.
You know you love that baby fix her up!
Best of luck.
GOD BLESS
Tony
 
M

markup97

Lost in Translation
I will be changing all 4 wheel speed transducers once I get the car back.

The alignment and new tires will follow, after I get my new rear shock mounts installed.
 
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