Vehicle speed sensor

Tiny
JAPSLICO
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
Four cylinder two wheel drive automatic 192,000 miles.

Do you need to put grease or lubricant on your VSS? I have my VSS replaced and after five months my speedometer suddenly stop functioning and my check engine light is on. What other reason might cause my speedometer not to function?
Saturday, September 18th, 2010 AT 9:46 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Hi japslico,

A little grease at the VSS pin between the sensor and meter gear is required.

Speedometer not working are usually due to faulty VSS. It could also be due to the meter gear that is plugged into the transmission, but rarely occurs. Check for loose electrical connector at the VSS.

For the CEL, it could be triggered by the VSS malfunctioning and to understand if it is related, get a free scan done at Autozone to see what codes are stored.
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Sunday, September 19th, 2010 AT 12:50 AM
Tiny
JAPSLICO
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I have replaced the VSS again with a new one and after a week it drops to zero again and the check engine light is on. How do I repair the metal gear that connects the VSS or I need to have a mechanic to have it checked? Will it also be a faulty signal generator? Thank you for your informative advice.
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Tuesday, September 28th, 2010 AT 7:06 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Here are the procedures for testing the VSS operations:

DTC P0500 & P0501: VSS RANGE/PERFORMANCE PROBLEM

1. Test drive vehicle. Using scan tool, check vehicle speed. If correct speed is not indicated, go to next step. If correct speed is indicated, problem is intermittent, system is okay at this time. Check for poor connections or loose wires between VSS and PCM. Repair as necessary.

2. Turn ignition off. Block rear wheels and set parking brake. Raise and support front of vehicle. Turn ignition on. Block right front wheel and slowly rotate left front wheel by hand. Measure voltage between PCM connectors terminal A9 and terminal C18. See Fig. 3 . If
voltage does not pulse zero and 5 volts, go to next step. If voltage pulses zero and 5 volts, substitute a known-good PCM and recheck. If symptom or indication goes away, replace original PCM.

3. Turn ignition off. Disconnect PCM 31-pin connector "C". Turn ignition on. Block right front wheel and slowly rotate left front wheel by hand. Measure voltage between PCM connector terminal A9 and terminal C18. If voltage pulses zero and 5 volts, substitute a known-good PCM and recheck. If symptom or indication goes away, replace original PCM. If voltage does not pulse zero and 5 volts, repair a short or open in wire between PCM and VSS. If wire is okay, check VSS.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/192750_PCMConnector97Accord4cylFig3_1.jpg


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Tuesday, September 28th, 2010 AT 12:06 PM
Tiny
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How much is the average cost to have the P0501 code fix if I send it to the mechanic? What does faulty CVT transmission means? Thanks again.
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Monday, October 4th, 2010 AT 9:54 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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It would depend on what is wrong causing the fault code. A VSS would not cost too much but if it is the PCM, then it would cost a lot more.

CVT = Constant Velocity Transmission. It is an automatic trans found mainly in the CIVIC range of vehicles. There are no gear shifting as pullies and V-belt type of chains are used for varying the gear ratios.

Your vehicle is not equipped with CVT.
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Tuesday, October 5th, 2010 AT 8:34 AM
Tiny
JAPSLICO
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I have my VSS replaced and the wiring checked by a mechanic and the check engine light was gone. I drove the car for almost five hundred miles then the speedometer was intermittent again and the check engine light went on. I have it checked by Autozone scanner and it is showing P0501 and P0113.

How does this code affect the performance of my car and what is the best solution to my constant VSS problem?
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Tuesday, October 19th, 2010 AT 8:39 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Was the VSS replaced new or used?
Is it OEM?

For the VSS, the diagnostic procedures were outlined in previous post.

A VSS fault would result in erratic shifting.

DTC P0113: INTAKE AIR TEMPERATURE (IAT) SENSOR HIGH VOLTAGE INPUT

1. Turn ignition on. Check IAT sensor using scan tool. If -4 °F (-20 °C) or less is indicated, go to next step. If -4 °F (-20 °C) or less is not indicated, problem is intermittent. Check for poor connections or loose wires at Gray 14-pin connectors (located near right and left shock towers), IAT sensor connector, and PCM connector.

2. Disconnect IAT 2-pin connector. Install jumper wire between IAT sensor connector terminals. Using scan tool, check intake air temperature. If -4 °F (-20 °C) or less is indicated, go to next step. If -4 °F(-20 °C) or less is not indicated, replace IAT sensor.

3. Turn ignition off. Connect jumper wire between PCM 16-pin connector "D" terminal D8 and terminal D11. Turn ignition on. Using scan tool, check intake air temperature. If -4 °F(-20 °C) or less is not indicated, repair open in wiring between IAT sensor and PCM connector "D". If -4 °F (-20 °C) or less is indicated, substitute a known-good PCM and recheck. If symptom or indication goes away, replace original PCM.
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Wednesday, October 20th, 2010 AT 7:06 AM
Tiny
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Yes, the VSS was new and it is OEM.
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Wednesday, October 20th, 2010 AT 10:24 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Perform diagnostics test on VSS and let me know what you find.
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Thursday, October 21st, 2010 AT 8:18 AM
Tiny
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Now my dashboard display has no light when I turn on my A/C and when I turned it off then the light went back again. What need to be checked and replaced this time?
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Saturday, October 23rd, 2010 AT 11:52 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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If the battery is good, then you need to check the connections.

Another item would be the ignition switch. Wit A/C turned on, cycle the ignition switch and slowly turn to start to check if the dash indicators lights comes on or flickers. If they do, then the ignition switch is bad.
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Sunday, October 24th, 2010 AT 1:20 AM

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