The car is a 1994 Accord LX with manual transmission. A fews weeks ago, it speedo intermittently started to get stuck at around 15mph. After doing a ton of research on this forum and google, I found that the VSS may be the problem. The speedo would work most of the time. That was 2 weeks ago.

As of this week, I started to get a code 17, and the speedo barely ever works now.

I went to the local pick and pull, and picked up a VSS which I used to replace the one the car. It did not solve the problem. Went back and pulled the two remaining VSS. I swapped each of those on the car, and I'm still having the problem.

Once the key is turned to the ON position, the speedo immediately jumps to about 15mph, and stays there. This is happened with 4 different VSS (including the one that was originallly on the car).

I verified battery voltage on the VSS connector (yellow and black connector) with the key in the ON position, so the VSS is getting power.

I am trying to get this fixed ASAP b/c I need to get the car to pass MD state inspection. Any other ideas? I saw a few posts that suggested the gauge cluster, but I don't think that the problem, b/c I am actually getting a code 17.

So, i have few questions:
1. What is the speedo supposed to read with the VSS disconnected and the key in the on position?
2. Should I go ahead and spend $100 on a new VSS?
3. Is it possible that I could have gotten 3 bad VSS?
4. What else do I need to try?

Thanks

 

UPDATE: I found a Honda service manual online and followed steps that concluded that the gauge is bad. The gauge test was my last resort, but I finally bit the bullet and ripped everything apart so I could test out to the gauge connecter, and was able to determine the VSS was good. Now I need to find a guage cluster.

I am still trying to figure why the ECU threw code 17 for the VSS if the gauge was bad. Any ideas?

 

Problem solved - Replaced the 2"x2" circuit board behind the speedo gauge with one from a junk yard cluster. I was able to retain my odometer reading too. The only issue I ran into was that the original fuel gauge was pegged at full when I turned on the car with the new board. I swapped over the fuel guage from the junkyard cluster too, and now all works fine.