is changing a vehicle speed sensor a doable job for a newbie for a 1982 Corvette.all I know is it located behind the speedometer but not sure what to do once I take off the plastic dash guage cover

 

Welcome Dan and congrats on your 82.....
Yes, it is doable for a newbie, but a few questions come to mind.
1-what is the reason you want to change the VSS?
2-do you have the 1982 Corvette Shop Manual?

The VSS determines how fast the vechicle is traveling and sends that info to the ECM, which in turn helps control the rpm speed for idle, etc.
Unless it is defective or broken, should be no reason to change out.

You really need the Shop Manual & the AIM if you intend to do work on your 82. Be sure to check out the "sticky" in the above section, it has alot of good info for you to enjoy.

But to answer your question, if your arms are small enough, you could reach under the dash and probably disconnect it that way. There is a small plug that inserts into the back of the speedo case. Or you can remove some of the dash and pull forward, disconnect and remove your radio speaker cover and the speaker itself, and then put your hand down through that opening. I had taken the entire dash out of my 82, so it was real easy to do anything that I needed to do back there. I also drove the 82 like that for 7 months, with nothing connected, including the VSS, when I did get it all hooked-up again, I did notice a slight difference in the idle with the VSS reattached.
Have fun..................................... ......Tom

 

Thank you for the reply.
Can this be done by just removing the speedometer guage thru the front or does dash have to be removed. My hands can't fit under dash. One end is connected to back of speedometer...where does other end go?
Thanks
Dan

 

what you need to do is either (or) do a search in this section for gauge removal, or go to the Wilcox site, which has great tech articles and videos there, you will find the info needed to remove the speedo.
by the time I explain it, you could have already read the how-to articles.
the other end is the VSS itself, which is encased in a small plastic container. you can't miss it.....