I recently got into an accident and had my car in the shop. When I got it back I was driving and noticed the speedometer wasn't working. It will stay at 0 and then spike to 40-50mph (I was on the highway) and then go back to 0. Also, the odometer isn't working either and the CEL light is on.

I did a quick search and it from what I read it may be the VSS. It could be either loose or needs to be replaced. Now, is that something I could do on my own. I live in an apartment at school and only have access to the basic tools.

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Just 1 bump.

 

Bump to ask where you were hit...

 

code 17 should be vss. its on the top of the tranny below the throttle body. you will need a wratchet and 10 mm. just unplug the sensor, there should be one bolt kinda behind the two more obvious ones. take that bolt out and then wiggle the sensor till it comes up. i switched mine over the other day because my speedo wasnt working, its no big deal

 

Sounds like your VSS is damaged to me. Generally a loose connection will just stop working. When a VSS starts to die it works intermittently like you are describing.

As said above, the VSS is in the top of the tranny, and you should be able to see it from the top of your engine bay looking down at the transmission. I'd try unplugging the connection and replugging it first to see if that heps, and then replace the VSS.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CycloneBlue_1.6EL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Bump to ask where you were hit...</TD></TR></TABLE>

I rearended someone at a stop light. I thought they moved and they didn't. 100% my fault.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ricey McRicerton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sounds like your VSS is damaged to me. Generally a loose connection will just stop working. When a VSS starts to die it works intermittently like you are describing.

As said above, the VSS is in the top of the tranny, and you should be able to see it from the top of your engine bay looking down at the transmission. I'd try unplugging the connection and replugging it first to see if that heps, and then replace the VSS.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I will try that. This may sound stupid, but does anyone has a pic of a VSS. I am not one of the most knowledgable people.

Thanks for the replies!

 

could also be as simple as a fuse.

my alternator/speed sensor fuse blows fequently and it causes the speedo to go into freak mode and the odometer not to work (which basically runs hand in hand with the speedo) just as you explained for your car.

Not sure which fuse it is as far as exact number... I know its a 7.5 amp
its located under the dash drivers side. It sits in between to other 7.5 amp fuses.
a check wouldn't hurt

hope you find the problem.

 

It could also have damged your speedo cluster. The first EX cluster I got in my DX was damaged and the speedo would jump and would just always malfunction. So change out your cluster with a friends and try that also.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hondachick81 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">could also be as simple as a fuse.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I thought about that too. I think I might run to Pep Boys after class.

EDIT: Can I tell that the fuse is blow just by looking at it?

 

yes, pull it out and look at the center of it, there should be an obvious peice of metal running form one side to the other. if there isn't or it's only half there it's blow.

 

Does anyone know what fuse goes to the speedo? I was looking at the diagram on the back of the fuse cover and I really couldn't tell.

EDIT: Here is the fuse box diagram that I stole from another thread.

 

Number 15?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by smithenhiven &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Number 15?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Since that links to the alternator as well, would that explain why my lights flicker a little. The brightness varies constantly.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by The GreenD16 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Since that links to the alternator as well, would that explain why my lights flicker a little. The brightness varies constantly.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Quite possibly. I think SP sensor means speed sensor, I guess it wouldn't hurt to check it.

 

Well, I replaced the number 15 fuse and it worked. Speedo and odometer work perfectly fine.

Thanks to all for the help!