Vehicle speed sensor?

Tiny
LALOCON
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
An Ammco shop found that the harness to the vehicle speed sensor has melt and wants $435 to fix and about 3 hours to do the job. I looked at the car repair manual and doesn't look co mplicated. Problem is I can't seem t locate sensor and doI have to peel electrical tape to follow harness to location on engine or can I get another harness and just attach one end to the sensor and the other to engine location? Do I have to lift car significantly to be able to see and remove sensor / Thanks for any help you can provide. Hilario
Do you
have the same problem?
Yes
No
Saturday, March 19th, 2011 AT 5:33 AM

22 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
AX4N

REMOVAL
Raise and suitably support vehicle.
Remove dual converter Y-pipe from exhaust system.
Disconnect Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) electrical connector.
Remove VSS shield from VSS.
Remove VSS retaining bolt and VSS from transaxle.
Remove retainer clip and speedometer gear from VSS.
INSTALLATION
Follow removal procedure in reverse order.
Tighten VSS retaining bolt to 4-6 Nm (36-53 in lb).

AX4S

REMOVAL

Raise and suitably support vehicle.
Remove dual converter Y-pipe from exhaust system.
Remove heat shield from transaxle.
Disconnect Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) electrical connector.
Remove VSS retaining bolt and remove VSS from transaxle.
INSTALLATION
Follow removal procedure in reverse order.
Tighten VSS retaining bolt to 5-8 Nm (45-70 in lb).
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, March 19th, 2011 AT 5:43 AM
Tiny
LALOCON
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Mr. Rasmataz : you have given me information that I looked all over for. Besides the diagrams, the info on how to remove and replace the VSS is priceless. I am now able to do the work myself and save the money for some other much needed parts. Thank you very much. I hope to work with you in the future again. Thanks, Hilario
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, March 19th, 2011 AT 6:06 PM
Tiny
KCOLLINS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
Changed head gaskets all went well but could not find vehicle speed sensor plug in looked high and low cannot find plug to save my life not even sure there was a plug on it when I dissassembled there was a clump of insulation over the top of the sensor as if they just had it sealed off but I do have code for vss malfunction and no speedo hope you can help
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Hello and thanks for donating

your VSS should be mounted on the transaxle and have two wires running to it, one being grey/black and the other pink/orange. Both of these wires will run straight from the powertrain control module, which is located at the right rear of the engine compartment, mounted in the firewall.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WB9QYV
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 MERCURY SABLE
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 166,205 MILES
This car is a GS St Wgn 3.0L Sohc (U). Where is the vehicle speed sensor?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,293 POSTS
Here is a diagram detailing where many things are. #5 is your vehicle speed sensor. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PURPLESAUCER3
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 MERCURY SABLE
Transmission problem
1997 Mercury Sable

can u please tell me were the vehicle speed sensor is located and how to replace it?/Were can I find apicture or diagram
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello -

I have provided the info you requested. . .. . .. . .. . .

Your vehicle shows two different types of transmissions. . .. . .. . .. . .I have attached both for you.

With AX4S Transmission


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/248015_1_153.jpg



Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS)

AX4S Trans axle

Removal

Raise vehicle on a hoist. Refer to Section 00-02.
Remove Y-pipe and heated oxygen sensors (HO2S)(9F472) from the exhaust system.
Remove VSS exhaust heat shield.
4 Remove bolt retaining VSS mounting clip to transaxle.
5 Remove VSS and driven gear from transaxle.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/248015_2_101.jpg



Disconnect electrical connector and speedometer cable from VSS. NOTE: Do not attempt to remove spring retaining clip from driven gear with speedometer cable in VSS.
Remove driven gear retainer and driven gear from VSS. Installation
Position driven gear to VSS. Install gear retainer.
Connect electrical connector to VSS.
Ensure internal 0-ring is seated properly in VSS housing. Snap speedometer cable into VSS housing.
Install VSS into transaxle and secure with retaining bolt.
Install VSS exhaust heat shield.
Install Y-pipe and heated oxygen sensors to exhaust system.
Lower vehicle and verify proper speedometer I odometer operation.

With AX4N Transmission, (Except SHO)


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/248015_3_70.jpg



REMOVAL

Raise and suitably support vehicle.
Remove dual converter Y-pipe from exhaust system.
Disconnect vehicle speed sensor electrical connector.
Remove VSS shield from Vehicle Speed (VSS) Sensor.
Remove VSS retaining bolt and VSS from transaxle.
Remove retainer clip and speedometer gear from VSS.

INSTALLATION

Follow removal procedure in reverse order.
Tighten VSS retaining bolt to 4-6 Nm (36-53 inch lbs.).
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TURNJA79
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 148,000 MILES
My car sometimes slips when going into first gear, it's an automatic trans. Ive heard that some times changing the VSS sensor can sometimes solve that problem but I'm not sure Witch vss I need and I cant find it on my car.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
The VSS is at the rear center of engine compartment, mounted on transaxle
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Check fluid and suspect tranny problem
speed sensor located at the far right of the tranny
by the right axle (on the tranny )
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DWAKEFIELD13
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1997 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 126,000 MILES
I am trying to find and replace the VSS speed sensor and replace it. Where can I find it and how do I replace it?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Need enginge size and # of valves? But it's on the transaxle. Unscrew bolt and remove.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DWAKEFIELD13
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The number of valves is 6 and the engine size is 3.0

I don't know how to find the transaxle. Could you explain in detail how to find the transaxle and how I'll know which blot to unscrew please. :)

Thank you so much.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Not to step on toes.

Hello dwakefield13,

What exactly is your vehicles problem.

There are 2 VSS -

One is called a Turbine Shaft Speed Sensor - Located - Left rear lower side of engine compartment, on rear side of transaxle.

The is the VSS - Located - Rear center of engine compartment - mounted on transaxle.

The transaxle is located on the driver side. If you look down under the air intake tube tou will see it or look for your Transmission Fluid Dipstick and look down there. Wish I had a good pic to post for you. Maybe merlin2021 has one to post.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DWAKEFIELD13
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Hey, thanks so much for your input! I really appreciate it.

What happens is randomly the speedometer will stop working. When this happens the transmission will not go from first gear. We had a diagnostic done and it said "speed sensor".
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
I have found that if you buy and look at the part you will find it.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_VSS_Sable_1.jpg

Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DWAKEFIELD13
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Ok so I'm under the car, how do I find the catalytic converter? It says I have to remove it before removing the VSS?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
The converters on a V6 is part is the Y-pipe, so remove the pipe and the clamp at the extension pipe, be careful with the flex part! Too much flexing and it will break.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_Converters_1.jpg

Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links