Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Ultimate Subaru Message Board

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

OBD II EJ swap HELP/ Speed Sensor

Featured Replies

OBD II Outback 2.2 liter installed into 89 GL w/ Single Range 5spd.

 

I've got most of the wiring sorted out.

 

BUt I ran into a potential problem. The VSS.

 

On OBD I, the ECUs used a reed switch based VSS mounted in the speedo head.

 

But for OBD II, the VSS is mounted in the trans where the cable would go.

 

 

So, If I mount the Outback VSS into the trans and hook it up, the ECU will be happy........but I'll have no Speedometer.

 

But if I don't hook up a VSS, the Engine will be REV limited to just over 4k. (I know because the donor car had a VSS fail and had said rev limiting occur. Replaced and ran fine till it was wrecked:rolleyes:)

 

 

What have others done?

 

Maybe I'll look into what it would take to install the Outback Speedometer head into the dash.

VSS wire from the ECU. to the reed switch in the gauge cluster. Done.

  • Author
VSS wire from the ECU. to the reed switch in the gauge cluster. Done.

 

I knew it was that easy with the OBD I.

 

I thought however that the VSS in the OBD II cars with electric speedo produced waveform, and the simple on off of a reed switch won't work?

 

If you think it's fine, then I'm not gonna worry much then. I'll hook it up on monday.

 

thanks

All the PCM is looking for is a square wave. Frequency determines speed no matter if it's obd1 or 2. I just hooked up my 86 dash vss to an 03 legacy PCM and then using a scan tool watched the PCMs readout. It read just like the dash with no issues.

  • Author
All the PCM is looking for is a square wave. Frequency determines speed no matter if it's obd1 or 2. I just hooked up my 86 dash vss to an 03 legacy PCM and then using a scan tool watched the PCMs readout. It read just like the dash with no issues.

 

This is EXACTLY what I wanted to here. After reading you're VSS thread, I figured as much, glad for the direct comment here.

 

Thanks again King, and all the USMB.

 

I will post a new thread when the car is done, and add a photo in the who's who sticky.

  • Author
Here is a link for a product that should work for you

 

http://www.enginewiring.com/catalog.htm

 

Looks like I won't need this for the 89.

 

But It may solve the issue I had of a complete lack of any type of VSS in the '81 wagon when I did that EJ swap.

Nice. So now I don't need to find a EA81 dash with speed sensor for my project :)

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

Sign In Now

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.