VSS- “Vehicle Speed Sensor”

About
The vehicle speed sensor is mounted on top of the transmission and under the air intake tube. The senor sends information from the transmission to the vehicle’s TCU (Transmission Control Unit), ECU (Engine Control Unit), Speedometer Gauge, and Cruise Control Unit. It does this by counting the revolutions of the transmission output shaft. Then the TCU determines a number of revolutions to equal a mile.




Common Problems
• Speedometer Failure
• Odometer Failure
• Cruise Control Failure
• Transmission Hesitation, Roughness (In my case the car would shake at lower speeds like the transmission didn’t know whether or not to shift)
• Irregular Idle
• Excessive Fuel Consumption

Car
93 Civic EX 1.6L/Automatic Transmission. It is bone stock.
No CEL codes were thrown for the sensor failure.

Now my car is at 203k and I didn’t know whether or not it had ever been changed so I went by a few symptoms, knew that they recommend replacing the VSS around 140-150k, and decided instead of going through all the hassle to circuit test the sensor and try cleaning it off first that I would just order one.
Price: $72.95
Where to buy: Summit Racing
Link: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BCK-090-5040

Placement of VSS:

(The Flashlight is shining on the VSS)

Removal/Installation
Tools Needed
• 10mm socket
• Ratchet
• Small Extension or you can just use a deep 10mm
• Dielectric grease
Removal:
Step 1. Disconnect the Negative terminal on our battery. It’s always good to do this when working with electronics.
Step 1. Unplug the Sensor Wire Harness from the VSS
Step 2. Remove the two 10mm bolts holding the VSS to the top of the transmission as shown below.

Step3. Pull the sensor off of the transmission and be sure to take out the Drive Link (The small pin inside the sensor) with it as the new sensor comes with a new Drive Link.

Below is a photo of the contact point of the OLD VSS

Below is a photo of the contact point of the NEW VSS

Installation:
Step 1. Apply a small amount of Dielectric Grease to the Drive Link and insert it into the VSS.
Step 2. Make sure that the Drive Link is aligned properly with the female end on the transmission and that the holes for the 10mm bolts are aligned. BE CAREFUL WHEN CHECKING THE ALIGNMENT THAT THE PIN DOES NOT FALL OUT OF THE SENSOR, ITS VERY SMALL AND HARD TO FIND.
Step 3. Bolt the VSS back on to the transmission and reconnect the Sensor Wire Harness.

Overall it’s a pretty simple job, just felt like doing another write-up. Hope this helps some people out!!!

 

Nice writeup, sir! My VSS is at 285K miles and might need changed. If they recommend changing it at 150, it's looooong beyond time.

 

Thanks man. Yea i'd say go for it, I saw a huge improvement in the shifting of my car and my cruise control now works too which was a big plus.

 

There is no interval for replacing the speed sensor. Nice write up though. Might be good to note this is for an automatic transmission as the 5 speed VSS looks much different. Here's an additional resource for troubleshooting:
http://techauto.awardspace.com/vss.html

 

Thanks for the additional info. This is only my second write-up so any comments and advice are well appreciated.

 

Nice write up. In the first post, please include what car/engine/transmission you have and whether it is stock.

Was code 17 thrown for your car?

 

It is a 1993 Honda Civic EX 1.6L with and Automatic Transmission. It is bone stock.
No CEL codes were thrown for the sensor failure.

 

when you replace the VSS, does it not have to be recalibrated? i was always under that impression since i haven't had to replace one yet.

 

no calibration.

 

what if you change it and your mph is still all jacked up and bounces everywhere

 

Yea mph is doing that right now should I change it out?

 

This helped me replace the VSS on my 93 Civic after the odometer and speedometer stopped working. Super easy to follow for someone not great with cars. Thanks!