zuruk

I have a 98 civic that has had a vss problem that I have been working on for a while. I recently picked up a new VSS and installed it and I still have the same problem. The engine harness is new, so I'm assuming it's the subharness that goes to the cluster. Has anyone else encountered this problem and knows where to begin on the harness to check?

Former User

Does the VSS plug have battery voltage and ground?

Is dash fuse 15 blown?

CEL codes?

zuruk

It's throwing the cel code for the thing, but the dash fuse isn't blown. I know it's the fuse related to the alternator right? vss/alternator is what it says on the fuse diagram

Former User

Yes, that's the fuse.

The VSS plug has three wires -- power, ground, signal. Start by checking whether the Blk/Yel power wire has battery voltage and the Blk ground wire has continuity to body ground. You'll need an inexpensive digital multimeter to do the tests.

Vindicator9000

Before you do anything, pull the plug at the VSS and check for corrosion IN the plug.

I had a situation where I had a bad VSS AND a bad plug. When I pulled the VSS, I found that the center pin was missing. Replaced the VSS, and the speedo still didn't work right. Pulled the plug again, and found that the center socket on the plug was corroded all to hell. Replaced the plug with a junkyard plug, everything works great now.

I've heard of other people on here who have had the same problem, so apparently it's a somewhat common point of failure.

98civdx

^as he said, check the plug. They are very known for correding, water gets right in.

HondaPartsHero

http://techauto.awardspace.com/vss.html

zuruk

is there a way to just clean the corrosion or will I have to get a new plug and hack into my harness ?