Hi guys,

Started having this issue yesterday. Been doing research on the subject, so I apologize if some of these points are redundant or have been answered, just looking for confirmation on some issues and questions.

Hi guys

I'm sorry if this has been covered before. Been searching around online quite a bit tonight, but after latest light that came on, I am looking for some info.

Yesterday I noticed the s4 light flashing in the dash when I pulled into my in-laws. I saw from other peoples various posts online that it was a speedometer/VSS issue.
I took her out for a drive around the block, everything was working fine again.

When I went to put petrol in her, issue came up again. Speedometer not working. S4 flashing. I figured the problem lay within the VSS? Perhaps even wiring?

On the way home, same issue, no biggie. But speedometer suddenly came to life for a bit, before dying again. S4 still flashing, but then the engine light came on which was a terrible sight for me.
Is the engine light related to the computer not being able to read the speed?


Secondly, I was going to have it looked at this coming weekend, is it safe to drive it until then? It would only be to the next suburb and back.

After driving back from the train station this morning, the speedometer kicked into life again and worked until I got home. It seems if I start the car and the speedo is dead, I just get the s4 blink. If the speedo wakes up and dies later while driving, the engine light come on.

Any chance its a faulty connection? How hard is it to acquire a VSS for this car?

Thats the toughest thing for me lately, is getting parts. Here in South Africa especially.

Thanks for reading.

 

There are links for the service manual for the 88/89/90 in the FAQ link at the top of the forum/page.
Have you checked for codes? There should be an ECM under the carpet of the passenger side footwell. Turn the ignition to ON, if your ECM has a blinking LED light count the number of blinks from the light. Long blinks are counts of 10 shorter blinks are counts of 1.

___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ = 17
_ _ _ _ = 4

If your VSS is faulty it could trip a code with both S4 and CEL lamps.

If it is the VSS before replacing it outright, remove it from the transmission. Carful as there is a drive pin that can fall out.
With the sensor removed, remove the three screws and take the sensor apart and clean it.
VSS - Vehicle Speed Sensor Troubleshoot, Repair, Replace - How To.

But I have no idea if any of this would be applicable to your car in South Africa.

Rockauto here in the US can ship parts to you, but you would have to verify that the USDM parts will work on your car.

 

Thank you kindly for that reply.

Yep, found out about the code. Definitely the VSS malfunctioning.
Going to be taking it apart and cleaning it this weekend...but preparing myself for the fact that I might need to order in another one.

Do you guys use UPS or DHL? We are in the midst of another postal strike.