1998 mercury villager speed sensor replacement?

Question

so my check engine light has given the code for the speed sensor, so i have bought a new one at advanced auto parts.

now for the difficult part: where is the existing speed sensor, and how should i detach the old sensor and install the new one?

Answer 1

I tapped the hole with a 3/8 coarse tap, installed 3/8 coarse bolt 6" long. Grabbed the bolt with vise grips and burped it out with an air hammer and blunt end chisel 6 inches long.

Answer 2

It's pretty simple but involves a lot of different tools, the first thing you'll have to do is remove the sensor plug from the VSS. Use a flat head on each side of the plug to remove it. Next remove the 10mm bolt that is holding in the sensor. If you’re lucky and there isn't a lot of oxidation, or corrosion the you'll be able to remove it by hand by pulling straight up on it. If it doesn't come out by pulling upwards on the sensor you’re going to need more tools and patience. If the VSS is seized in the axle housing the VSS is going to be unsalvageable and will require it's complete destruction in order to be removed. The process of removing a stubborn VSS will first require that you put vice grips on the main body of the sensor and hammer upwards (the body is the smaller diameter section of the senor above the wide flat base that rests against the transaxle). When your hammering upwards it may pop out the sensor or break off the body. If the body breaks off you’ll now need to remove the needle shaft that is inside the sensor that spins with the gear inside the transaxle. Now you’ll need to go to Home Depot and do some searching for this s***w (BAN 3/8X3LAGSCRW <A>) It’s a large pitch s***w that normally screws wood together but it’s very strong and has a tapered tip that will tap into the sensor where your needle shaft was. You’ll also have to get a s***w that is slightly smaller than the before mentioned s***w with about the same pitch (I’ll refer to this s***w as <B>) and 2, 5/16 FNDRWSHZ (a large washer that has a small enough inside diameter to fit over the screws). You will also need an engine hoist or over head crane that can apply a lot of force with a 1” strap and a scissor jack.
Let me explain what everything is doing before your begin
1.) The s***w and washer act as an anchor into the sensor
2.) The strap allow for force to be applied to anchor
3.) The hoist or crane gives you upwards force that is applied through the strap to your anchor most importantly it gives you a large amount of smooth force upwards which will prevent your anchor from ripping out with the force of a hammer. The second larger s***w <A> is your backup anchor incase the first one rips out the lining inside the VSS (Most likely will happen)
4.) The scissor jack is the most important. It bends the line from the hoist down to a 90* angle to your anchor. If you don’t use the scissor jack like I did the first time you’ll be able to lift the whole car off the ground before the VSS will come out. YOU HAVE TO LIFT STRAIGHT UP ON THE VSS OR IT WILL NOT COME OUT.
          Put the smaller s***w <B> through the washer and thread it into the shaft hole using a socket and ratchet the torque it in. It should be hard to s***w it in but don’t apply more than about 40 lbs of torque, just enough to get it about 1 inch in. Now use your lift strap and wrap it around the s***w underneath the washer and now feed it up to the right of the engine up to the hook on your engine hoist. But do not apply any upward force yet. Now put the scissor jack sideways with it’s base against the side of the block above where the speed sensor pushing against the starter and with the jacking point against the 1” line. This is a little tricky and may require a second person to pull up on the line while you put the scissor jack into place. After everything is in place connect your 1” line up to the engine hoist or crane or whatever can apply a lot of upwards force and jack up until you begin to have small tension in your line. Now go back underneath the car and adjust the scissor jack until the line coming down form the scissor jack is 90* to the VSS. Then begin the jacking from the hoist until it rips the VSS out. If the anchor rips out just upgrade to the larger s***w <A>. If you snap your s***w when you torque it into the VSS your almost screwed. Just wrap your 1” strap around the remainder of the s***w and put the washer above it resting against the treads.