Sounds like speed sensor failed
Dear Mike: I drive a 1997 Ford Escort that has an automatic transmission. Only trouble is, it will no longer shift out of first gear. This problem started at the same time the speedometer stopped working. I think it’s some sort of electronic problem.What do you think?
A: I think that your Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) has failed — or the wiring to it is bad — so your speedometer reads 0 miles per hour all the time.
The transmission needs to know the vehicle’s over-the-road speed to know when to shift gears properly. When the speedometer is missing this piece of data — or any number of other things it needs — your drivetrain goes into limp-home mode. This leaves the transmission stuck in second gear (not first) so you can, well, limp home or to a repair shop. So there’s probably nothing wrong with the transmission. Fix whatever is wrong with the VSS and the transmission should work properly again.
Dear Mike: Why has the auto industry abandoned the amp meter, which gives a wealth of information, and gone to the voltmeter, which is almost worthless? Is it because voltmeters are cheaper? Or is it that amp meters fluctuate and worry people? The disappearance of the amp meter is indicative of the dumbing down of America.— Name withheld, via Internet
A: Dumbing down? I just installed instruments on a vehicle of my own, and I went with a voltmeter. An ammeter, or as you call it, an amp meter, tells you only how much current is going into, or out of, your battery. A voltmeter lets you infer that indirectly, but it gives you a much better idea of how much charge there is in the battery at the same time.
A voltmeter should read about 12.6 volts with the engine off and no load. Less means the battery is discharged. Normal charging voltage should be between 13.5 volts and 14.4 volts, climbing as the battery charges. Simple, no?
One disadvantage to an ammeter is that to use it, you need to have a remote shunt. If not, you have to bring the entire charging current on wires through the firewall to the dashboard. This means more weight, complexity and voltage drop. So using a voltmeter is pretty smart. Switching to indicator lamps instead of gauges might be construed as dumb, though.
Dear Mike: Does the damper rod of a MacPherson strut ever need to be lubricated? If it does, what kind of lubrication should I use and how often should it be done?
— J.P., Tuscaloosa, Ala.
A: The answer to your first question is no.
Some older struts need to be filled with oil when they are installed. But this oil isn’t a lubricating oil — it’s a special damping oil that provides resistance to movement like any other shock absorber. Sealed cartridge-type struts are now common. Just be sure any boot or splash shield on the strut is intact to keep out water, mud or stones.