VSS questions

[derekja]

Hi,

 

I've got a M/T 1995 Legacy L. She's been driving beautifully ever since I pulled the engine and redid the heads and gaskets a couple thousand miles ago.

 

On the way back from the store, she threw a PO500 code and the speedo stopped working. Started up the next morning and everything was fine until it warmed up, and then the same code and same symptoms.

 

Probably a bad VSS. Can't find one locally and want to order one (anybody have good ideas where from? I'm in Victoria, BC.) Aside from not having a speedo (!) I don't think there are any other ramifications of driving around without this for a couple weeks, are there? I know the signal goes to the ECM, but I don't know that anything is actually controlled from it.

 

Thanks!

 

--Derek

[snowscooby]

Your cruise control works off of the vss. Also a P0500 code can put your car into a limp mode which tends to be very annoying.

 

Check your engine grounds first thing. Make sure they have a good connection and are nice and tight. A loose ground can throw a P0500 code as it did for me.

 

Check to see if your car has an electronic vss or a speedo cable.

 

If it is the cable, your cable could be starting to fray and may need replacement. There are two parts to the cable, one short bent section from the transmission and then a longer part that goes to the back of the gauge cluster and runs the speedometer.

 

You will want to check both sections of cable. To do so you will need to pull your gauge cluster and disconnect you cable from the back of it. Check the ends of the cable to make sure the connectors aren't worn round (they fit into a square hole). You can pull the cable out of the housing and look for any damage to the cable.

 

For electric VSS, you have one vss in your tranny, on the top passenger side of it. The other is in your speedometer. You will want to bench test them to see which one needs replacing.

 

Once again, check all of your grounds.