Odometer roll back

[Greg5260]

I recently purchased a 1999 LS 3.9L, privately. Since the purchase I have been informed that the previous owner had turned off the odometer. How did he do it and how do I prove it?

[351CJ]

The speedomeder & odometer are run off of a wheel sensor. You could unplug the sensor or take the sensor off of the wheel and just tie it somewhere where it won't read. However I don't know if doing either would screw up the rest of the electronic controls when driving. On the other hand if disconnecting the sensor still lets the LS drivetrain run right I don't know how you could prove it was done.

[Lscman]

Please keep us informed. Unfortunately, I have no specific information about LS speedo electronics and whether the speedo signal is integrated with the ABS. I assume so. Have you gotten a carfax history report on it yet? It may show the mileage dropping between inspections or plate renewals or a long interval with zero miles that you may be able to prove usage.

The method used to disable or turn back an odometer will vary by model, depending upon the way odometer values are stored and what signal is monitored. The value may be stored in the speedo cluster, a separate dash computer, a trip computer or the engine computer. Somewhere within the car's electronics a gizmo stores the value when the battery is disconnected. Depending upon the method used, the most common possibilities are disabling the input to the mileage counter or installing a "spare" mileage counter and then possibly removing it for resale and/or state inspection or
lifting a wire to the speedo cluster, buying a spare salvage speedo cluster and swapping it, lifting a wire to a computer input, swapping computers etc. Until you find out exactly where the LS odometer value is stored and how it gets it's signal, it will be difficult to look for any tampering by a former owner. A nice dealer mechanic will be able to help you with the technical investigation. That information is intentionally vague in most service manuals, although a factory Helms Manual should provide adequate info if you read between the lines.

[pro-five-oh]

I would guess that the last owner disconnected the gauge cluster and just drove without it. Disconnecting the vehicle speed sensor would cause drivability problems, so he probably just bypassed the gauge cluster somehow.

Look for wear marks on the bolts/screws that attach the gauge cluster to the dashboard. Have a Ford dealer check to see if the clusters have a tamper proof label on them. If the label is broken then the cluster has been disconnected and the odometer was shut off for some time.

I know you can change your mileage this way on older Ford products, and many Ford components have a "warranty" label that breaks if someone tampers with them.

Good luck!

[ November 23, 2001: Message edited by: pro-five-oh ]

[Big Texas]

I found a website describing software to reprogram a digital Odometer... Perhaps if someone got a hold of this software, they could fake out the actual mileage. I e-mailed them but got no response, maybe a hoax? Some one else try? Could be a scam…
http://www.odometersoft.f2s.com/

:eek:

[Richard Ray]

My dad and I found out how quite by accident with his Continental. He had the power steering lines and rack replaced and the mechanic removed the speed sensor from the transmission to gain access. He forgot to put it back. Then denied he disconnected it. A good transmission shop and about two hours later, the speedo and odometer were working again. The car was in "limp home" mode the whole time, so it was drivable, but drank a bit more gas.


quote:Originally posted by Lscman:
Please keep us informed. Unfortunately, I have no specific information about LS speedo electronics and whether the speedo signal is integrated with the ABS. I assume so. Have you gotten a carfax history report on it yet? It may show the mileage dropping between inspections or plate renewals or a long interval with zero miles that you may be able to prove usage.

The method used to disable or turn back an odometer will vary by model, depending upon the way odometer values are stored and what signal is monitored. The value may be stored in the speedo cluster, a separate dash computer, a trip computer or the engine computer. Somewhere within the car's electronics a gizmo stores the value when the battery is disconnected. Depending upon the method used, the most common possibilities are disabling the input to the mileage counter or installing a "spare" mileage counter and then possibly removing it for resale and/or state inspection or
lifting a wire to the speedo cluster, buying a spare salvage speedo cluster and swapping it, lifting a wire to a computer input, swapping computers etc. Until you find out exactly where the LS odometer value is stored and how it gets it's signal, it will be difficult to look for any tampering by a former owner. A nice dealer mechanic will be able to help you with the technical investigation. That information is intentionally vague in most service manuals, although a factory Helms Manual should provide adequate info if you read between the lines.