inaety

Hello all, I have a b16a2 in my em1 with a dc4 (ls) transmission, and its giving me CEL #17. In other words, there is a problem with my Vehicle Speed Sensor. So I went and got another VSS for a b-series tranny. Its from a GSR, IIRC, but I was told that all b-series ones will work. The VSS worked after install for about a week or two and then it stopped and eventually threw a code. I don't know why it's doing this and wondering if anyone had an idea?

Thanks!

Rdriver

I would check for corrosion inside the connector or around the wires. I have seen several with similar problems that have build up from water or coolant in the contacts.

inaety

As in the wire that the VSS plugs into? How can I check that for corrosion and what would I have to get to replace it?

inaety

night bump

Rdriver

Yes the plug for the speed sensor. Look at the wires, see if there is any junk in the connector, clean it and put some dieletrical grease and your done. I am fairly sure its in the wiring, if it was the cluster itself, you won't get a cel, just no speedo or odometer.

inaety

thanks, Rdrive, I'll look at it right now!

inaety

I just reinstalled the sensor, and i took off the old heat wrapping on the wires, cleaned it with all purpose cleaner, and then put new shrink wrap around it. It still doesn't work. What else can I try?

Oh, and when it was on the fritz and starting to break, it had a correlation with the cruise control module either being on or off. Like, when it was off, it wouldn't work at all. But I went turned it on, it would pop right back up.

Thanks!

inaety

One of my friends recommended that I cut off the wire where it goes into "that tube" not sure what that is. But cut it off. Solder on a new one, to that tube outlet, I suppose, and the other end to the plug. and then heat shrink that. Does that sound right?

inaety

I did exactly that and cleaned everything. I then heatwrapped the wire, but still no dice

raidacaipo

hrmm.. you said you installed a new one and it worked for a while then stopped working?
well then it couldnt be your fuse #15 since you stated that it worked for a while.. I would consider it a wire issue.. if you drive your car and it dies on the road then you can definitely blame it on fuse #15 which is also connected to the alternator and vss

inaety

There are two named 15 and on the layout of fuses they both say 15A, so which one is it? And how do I get those little things out to check them?

Thanks dude, the fuse idea sounds completely right

Former User

There should be a plastic fuse remover in the under dash fuse box. Otherwise, you can use needle nose pliers.

inaety

Ah, I feel like an idiot sometimes. Any decision on which it is?

raidacaipo

the number is not on the fuse itself.. the number is on the panel.. it should say #1, #2, #3 and so on.. look for one that says #15 and pull that fuse out.. and check it.. its located under your steering wheel in the dash panel

inaety

Ohh I thought you meant the fusebox in the engine bay

inaety

Okay I just found the VSS one using the little guide thing on the fuse door in the interior. I took it out and replaced with it another 7.5 that was sitting in the spare part. It still doesn't work. How can I tell if a fuse is bad? Is there anything else to swapping a fuse?

civic_driver

Best way to check if a fuse isn't burnt is to check for continuity on a multimeter. If it beeps and displays close to 0 ohms, the fuse is good. Otherwise, it needs replacement.

Most of the time though, you can tell if a fuse is good by looking at it. If you see that the wire is melted (like in a light bulb) then the fuse is no good.

inaety

That is by pulling it out and hooking up the multimeter to each of the metal prongs? What if the fuse isn't the problem?

civic_driver

Yes, hook up the multimeter to each of the metal prongs.

inaety

Okay, I will try that. I replaced the fuse anyways and it still doesnt seem to be working though. Is it 7.5 amperage or should I try something higher like 10? I saw some kid do that on some forum, but I am afraid of fires?

raidacaipo

naw... I replaced mines with a 10 but it could cause problems.. anyways you can also try this just to make sure its not the fuse or anything relating to the alternator.. start your car and unplug the negative from the battery.. your car should still be running.. if your car turns off then you need to look into fuse #15 again or something relating to that.. if your car still stay on, then its most likely the vss sensor itself or the wire plug that connects to the vss.. clean it up or something like that and borrow your friends vss.. you can also use a single cam vss on a B series motor.. I tried it and it works

civic_driver

Always use a fuse rated for the same current as the one you're replacing.

Former User

Under-dash fuse 15 should be 7.5A.

If you happen to find that fuse 15 is or has blown and you also have a 96-99 Civic, then you should read this TSB.

raidacaipo

pretty cool document

Former User

Thanks. I always alert people to this TSB when fuse 15 in a 6th generation Civic has blown. It turns out to be a very common problem that would otherwise be difficult to diagnose.

By the way, I think you may be the winner of $50 from Joel.