hey guys, new here and this is my first post. I'm a pretty big novice when it comes to cars so bear with me here

My '91 accords odometer, trip meter and speedometer have gone out. They occassionally start working again but for only about 1-2 min. they die on me. I also have a red service engine light and a green 'sport mode' light that contiuously blinks. All this happens at the same time

I could go see an auto tech but sounds like this could be just a case of a short in a specific wire and dont want to spend $100 bucks for an auto person to tell me that.

Any ideas on how to fix this? If worse comes to worse i will have to have someone do it for me but trying to save $$$ so any help be appreciated. I'm assumming i just have a short in a wire(s) somewhere but not sure if it is easily accessible.

Thanks!

 

It is either a loose connector to the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) or the VSS needs replacement.

See below link regarding the VSS:

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

 

I agree. You've most likely have a Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) starting to fail. It's not uncommon. It's mounted to the Transmission and looks like this:



Cheers!

P

 

im hoping its a lose connection as i can just tighten the screws. I'll check under the hood tomorrow and report back if that is the case. If it needs replacement is this something i can easily do (considering im a novice when it comes to cars?) How expensive is the part? Thanks guys.

 

like these guys have already stated, its probably the VSS and if it isnt just a "loose connection" the VSS isn't all that expensive to replace... Example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/91-19...Q5fAccessories

 

I bought my VSS from EBAY and it works great ($15 + shipping). I changed it out in about an hour. The bolt closest to the motor was easy to remove but the one on the fend side was a bit tricky. 2 bolts is all holding it in and yes you can do it.

 

I have the same car. I also have an odometer not working, "S" light blinks and CEL on. Once you replaced the VSS did the CEL go off? How about the "S" light? Thanks.

 

if the VSS was the problem, the CEL should clear, blinking S light = problem with transmission or TCU

 

so the "s" light blinking has nothing to do with the VSS? not a good sign if its the transmission. Seems weird though because the "s" light started blinking only a day before the odometer and the "check engine" light started malfunctioning.
didn't have much time to check extensively under the hood today to locate the VSS, but i did look for a minute or two and didn't find it. Must be blind, where exactly is this VSS? When found, should i just first tighten the screws? thanks guys

 

The VSS can cause the S light to blink.

Refer to the link I previously posted above.

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

 

True, The TCM utilizes the Vehicle Speed Signal; along with other inputs to determine the shift point matrix. It's probably only one of several sensors which can set both warning lamps

P

 

Agreed P adams is the man... Heed his gospel he knows what he is talkin bout!

 

Look for that sensor under the dist cap, under thermostat housing and on the top of trans. Took me about fifteen minutes to replace. Got one from ebay as well and works fine, 20k miles later.
BTW, my S light went on when the vss was the problem.

 

sorry to bump such an old thread guys but this is a continuation of my original post. So anywho, I looked like crazy under my '91 accord hood and could not find the the VSS. My dad (who knows a lot more about cars then me), couldn't find the VSS as well. We found the distributor cap, but for the life of me couldn't find this VSS. How big is it? I could just buy one off ebay and look for it, but I would like to find it first. I might have to take a pic of my car and post it on here. Didn't think it would be this hard to find....

 

Between the throttle body and the distributor (on the left side of them), look down all the way to the transmission (large silver body), there will be an electrical connector plugged into it. The VSS size is about 1 inch across (look down about 1.5 feet). The link I posted previously shows the general location on top of the transmission.

 

alright, will try tomorrow in daylight. So is it easily accessible and replaceable from the top of the car or do i need to go under? thanks!

 

alright, well i must be really blind cuz I cant find the VSS. I took a pic of my '91 Honda Accord under the hood. Take a look, and if someone could tell me where the VSS would be, that would be great! I took 3 diff. pics, kinda showing where I'm looking in the second two pics...

Thanks!

 

It's a little further back under the air intake tube area. Look down past the air intake tube.

 

bleh too tired to read right

 

and the VSS is easily replaceable from the top of the car, or do i need to go under? thanks! ill give it a try again to see if vision is better

 

You remove it from the top. Remove the air intake duct. Then use a socket extension with the socket and ratchet. A jointed socket or jointed ratchet might make things a little easier; but, you can do it without it.


Here is the Autozone instruction for removal of the VSS (which are from the Helms manual BTW):

http://www.autozone.com/addVehicleId...00c1528005f99d

 

I just got my VSS out of the car yesterday. I didn't realize you need to remove it from the metal bracket before being able to unplug the electrical connections. I need to buy a new VSS, does any have experience with the ones on ebay under $20?