'89 Roadtrek B250

[Walesd]

Hi all!
Have an ‘89 B250, 318 EFI, with A500 4 spd auto trans and Lockup Torque Converter.
Noticed over the past few months:
(1) The speedometer would flap about sometimes but mostly was rock steady.
(2) The van would on occasion not switch to overdrive.
(3) The cruise control would on occasion not “cruise control”.
Now I didn’t notice whether these things happened independently or at the same time.
Problem: The other day while traveling down the road the speedo stopped working, the overdrive shifted down to Drive(won’t go into OD) at the same time and the cruise control doesn’t work!
Any ideas?

Dave Wales
F376566-3
RT89D190P

[B-300]

Most likely the speed sensor on the speedometer cable is no longr working or has bad wiring. It could be a bad speedo cable also.. Lack of lubrication.

[landyacht318]

I agree with b300. I have the same year engine and tranny. The connection on my vehicle speed sensor sometimes comes loose and I lose overdrive. I bouncing speedo is a sign that the cable is worn and tired.

The VSS on mine is inline with the cable, right next to the battery and a little lower. Yours might be on the tranny. There are 2 physical connections on this sensor for the cable and mine has worked loose twice and caused the same exact problems you are describing.

The first time I assumed the wire was broken and removed it from the van to find it still good. I sprayed a can of wd40 down the hose cable to clean it, then poured 40 weight oil into it, then slid the greased original cable back inside. It takes a little finess to get the square male and female parts to line up in the VSS. The bouncing stopped at higher speeds.

The second time I just reassembled it with lock tite.

The electrical connection worked loose occasionally on mine because the plastic retainer clips are gone. I taped it, no good. Held it with Zip ties, no good, Bent the pins inside, no good. Finally I used small pieces of aluminum foil and rolled them up and slid them into the female side of both connections and had to force them satisfyingly together with a click. :rck: :thatfunny
No more problems. Check the mechanical connections before buying a new cable. good luck

[Walesd]

Thanks a lot guys. This forum is so extremely helpful! Sorry I can't help others right now 'cause I'm just learnin'.
Dave Wales
F376566-3
RT89D190P