Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us
Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network
HomeAnnouncements
Discussion Groups
By Brand
BMWChevroletDodgeFordGMHondaLexusMercedes-BenzNissanPeugeotToyotaVolkswagenOther Brands
By Topic
4x4 CarsRVsDrivingMaintenance & RepairCar AudioCollectible Cars
Country Specific
Australian ForumsUK Forums
ArticlesAuto InsuranceBuyingCars & TechnologyMaintenanceMiscellaneousSafety
DMV Resources
Related Topics
MotorcyclesBoatsMore Topics ...

Car Forum / Ford / Ford Trucks / January 2006

Tip: Looking for answers? Try searching our database.

What happens if F250 is Driven with Speedo Disconnected

Thread view: 
Enable EMail Alerts  Start New Thread
Thread rating: 
c - 20 Jan 2006 03:08 GMT
Hi,

I'm deciding whether to buy a F250  1995.  I have run a carfax...and the
total reported mileage checks out...at 65k.

I suspect that the truck has higher miles than that.

My question:  Could the former owner have disconnected the Speedo/Odometer
for extended periods?

I have been told by the dealer that this would be impossible...because the
engine's computer would shut down or go into "limp mode" if it didn't
receive an appropriate signal  indicating road speed.

True??

Thanks,  Chuck
JimV - 20 Jan 2006 03:10 GMT
> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Thanks,  Chuck

If it's an automatic it wouldn't shift. Why do you think it's not right?
c - 20 Jan 2006 04:35 GMT
Just the general condition of the interior;  compared to a friends truck
with similiar mileage.  Maybe I'm imagining things...at a dealer I'm at a
disadvantage in that I can't talk eye to eye with the original owner..to get
a feel for the validity of his statements.

>> Hi,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> If it's an automatic it wouldn't shift. Why do you think it's not right?
351CJ - 20 Jan 2006 08:38 GMT
If something doesn't feel right walk away, your first intuition is probably
right.

There are plenty of other trucks to be had...

> Just the general condition of the interior;  compared to a friends truck
> with similiar mileage.  Maybe I'm imagining things...at a dealer I'm at a
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>>
>> If it's an automatic it wouldn't shift. Why do you think it's not right?
Matt Macchiarolo - 20 Jan 2006 12:17 GMT
Some people really thrash their vehicles. If the original owner had small
kids, it would be even worse.

> Just the general condition of the interior;  compared to a friends truck
> with similiar mileage.  Maybe I'm imagining things...at a dealer I'm at a
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>>
>> If it's an automatic it wouldn't shift. Why do you think it's not right?
Joe S. - 20 Jan 2006 13:40 GMT
> Just the general condition of the interior;  compared to a friends truck
> with similiar mileage.  Maybe I'm imagining things...at a dealer I'm at a
> disadvantage in that I can't talk eye to eye with the original owner..to
> get a feel for the validity of his statements.

I just purchased a used 1997 Mazda B4000 to replace my truck that was
destroyed in Hurricane Katrina.  Before buying this truck, I checked out and
drove a lot of Rangers and Mazda B-series used trucks -- I was trying to
stay under $10,000.00 but needed V6 4WD.

I turned down several trucks because something just didn't seem right and
one of the main reasons I turned down trucks was the condition of the
interior.  Dealers give their used vehicles to detailers who pressure wash
engine, underneath, and exterior and who then scrub the interior and cover
everything with some sweet-smelling stuff.

First thing I do is run the a/c -- if anyone smoked in the vehicle, it'll
come out of the a/c.  Then I check the interior to make certain knobs,
levers, etc. are in place.  I figure if the previous owner didn't care
enough to replace the broken knob on an a/c control lever, or if a piece of
trim is broken off, he probably didn't care enough to do his scheduled
maintenance.  The trashed interior could be the result of  dog(s) or
kid(s) -- but a trashed interior could also indicate the previous owner
didn't give a damn about how he treated his truck.

Walk away from it and keep looking.

>>> Hi,
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>>
>> If it's an automatic it wouldn't shift. Why do you think it's not right?
StreetMedic - 20 Jan 2006 19:41 GMT
> First thing I do is run the a/c -- if anyone smoked in the vehicle, it'll
> come out of the a/c.  Then I check the interior to make certain knobs,
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> kid(s) -- but a trashed interior could also indicate the previous owner
> didn't give a damn about how he treated his truck.

   Good tips.

   Another trick I picked up years ago from a knowledgeable friend
(although the OP's prospective vehicle was 65k miles, so it's a tougher
judgement-call) was to look at the pedals, and see if the wear on them
squares with the odometer's displayed mileage.

   I once looked at a Dodge sedan ( 2 years old, one owner, personal use)
with "22k" miles on it, and the corners of the accelerator and brake pedals
were worn smooth.  That's an awful lot of foot-work for just over
(ostensibly) 2 years on the road...

   S-M
pkurtz2 - 21 Jan 2006 20:22 GMT
>> First thing I do is run the a/c -- if anyone smoked in the vehicle, it'll
>> come out of the a/c.  Then I check the interior to make certain knobs,
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>
>    S-M

Something else I have heard of people doing, since you can't roll back
odometers anymore, or undo the speedo cable, is that I have heard of people
changing out the dashes on mechanical displays. It wont work with a digital
display, but on like my ford ranger which is a 2000, I can easily go to a
salvage yard and get an identical instument cluster that has considerable
lower miles on it, and swap mine out.
Pkurtz
M White - 23 Jan 2006 23:43 GMT
I wish I had read your post 3 months ago. I love the truck I bought, but one
detail frustrated me. It has become very clear over the last 3 months that
the original owner smoked. I had no idea a dealership could cover over the
smell of smoke so well.
Something to think about next time.

MW

> > Just the general condition of the interior;  compared to a friends truck
> > with similiar mileage.  Maybe I'm imagining things...at a dealer I'm at a
[quoted text clipped - 42 lines]
> >>
> >> If it's an automatic it wouldn't shift. Why do you think it's not right?
pkurtz2 - 24 Jan 2006 03:26 GMT
>I wish I had read your post 3 months ago. I love the truck I bought, but
>one
[quoted text clipped - 61 lines]
>> >> If it's an automatic it wouldn't shift. Why do you think it's not
> right?

It will only come out in the A/C if the previous owner smokes if they ran
the A/C on MAX for long periods of time, and didnt use the fresh air
setting. I am a smoker, and I do smoke in my truck. BUT, when people get in
my truck (non-smokers), they can barely tell I smoke. The reason for this is
because I have installed those window vents that allow you to drop your
window about an inch without getting rain and what not in the window. I keep
my fan on 3 or 4 all the time when its cold outside, and just use the temp
control to do just that. It keeps the smoke blowing out the window and fresh
air coming in. If I do run my A/C, which is very rare, then I leave it on
regular, and still roll the window down so the smoke goes out, right next to
my head. Otherwise, if its warm, I just roll the windows down, and it all
goes outside. I probably wont sell my truck ever, but if I do, I will have
it professionally detailed as opposed to cleaning it myself, and change out
the window seals. I doubt anyone will ever know my truck was smoked in. OH,
and I have the rubber floor mats, so that also helps, the fabric in the
truck is what holds the smell, but if you wash it down it will go away.
Matt Macchiarolo - 20 Jan 2006 12:16 GMT
True.

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Thanks,  Chuck
 
Sign In
Join
My Latest Posts
My Monitored Threads
My Blog
My Photo Gallery
My Profile
My Homepage

Start New Thread
Enable EMail Alerts
Rate this Thread



©2008 Advenet LLC   Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.