VSS
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh NC
VSS
Alrighty, had a sneaking suspicion that something was wrong with my VSS (no TC lockup, the cruise control kinda just pulled the pedal to the floor.. heh..)... so I pulled the codes today and it was a code 24. I've read up that if the speedo isn't working, then the VSS won't either. My speedo works, but it appears that the cable is binding some; at lower speeds the speedo bounces all over the place. Usually, though, by 35mph the speedo stops bouncing. Would this partial failure of the speedo cause a complete failure of the VSS?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 3
From: Surrey
Re: VSS (Enkil)
Thought I'd leave this one to somebody that knew what they were talking about, but as nobody has replied......
I've checked out my VSS but it was so long ago that I've forgotten how to do it. All the VSS is is a small polished metal plate that spins inside the speedo. There is a light shone on it & a pickup to detect the reflected light. The faster it spins the higher the frequency the pickup detects it & this is the part I've forgotten! I think the voltage increases with speed?? There should be a connector at the lower rear edge of the speedo which has 3 wires coming out of it. These wires then go to a connector under the center console on the d.side right at the front just under the side cover (it's a lot easier to test it at this connector than under the speedo :yesnod: ). I would have thought that if the speedo works at above 35mph then the VSS should be spinning, unless it has been damaged (by the bouncing?). My VSS problem was nothing more tricky than a bad connection in the wiring that I didn't find until after I'd pulled the speedo out :mad So check the wires all the way back from the speedo b4 you start pulling it all apart! There is a good VSS diagnostic check sequence in the workshop manual that should help you if the wiring all checks out. Sorry this is a bit vague, but good luck.
:cheers:
I've checked out my VSS but it was so long ago that I've forgotten how to do it. All the VSS is is a small polished metal plate that spins inside the speedo. There is a light shone on it & a pickup to detect the reflected light. The faster it spins the higher the frequency the pickup detects it & this is the part I've forgotten! I think the voltage increases with speed?? There should be a connector at the lower rear edge of the speedo which has 3 wires coming out of it. These wires then go to a connector under the center console on the d.side right at the front just under the side cover (it's a lot easier to test it at this connector than under the speedo :yesnod: ). I would have thought that if the speedo works at above 35mph then the VSS should be spinning, unless it has been damaged (by the bouncing?). My VSS problem was nothing more tricky than a bad connection in the wiring that I didn't find until after I'd pulled the speedo out :mad So check the wires all the way back from the speedo b4 you start pulling it all apart! There is a good VSS diagnostic check sequence in the workshop manual that should help you if the wiring all checks out. Sorry this is a bit vague, but good luck.
:cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 3
From: Surrey
Re: VSS (UKPaul)
Here we go:
Disconnect the connector from the computer & connect a voltmeter from pin 16 on it to ground (battery -ve is nearby). Ignition on (engine stopped), turn the cable to the speedo by turning a rear wheel or the cruise control thingy. The volmeter should show a voltage of below 3 volts changing to around 10 volts as the speedo cable is turned. This is assuming that the P/N switch is functioning correctly. If you get a varying voltage then the VSS is working OK.
:cheers:
Disconnect the connector from the computer & connect a voltmeter from pin 16 on it to ground (battery -ve is nearby). Ignition on (engine stopped), turn the cable to the speedo by turning a rear wheel or the cruise control thingy. The volmeter should show a voltage of below 3 volts changing to around 10 volts as the speedo cable is turned. This is assuming that the P/N switch is functioning correctly. If you get a varying voltage then the VSS is working OK.
:cheers:
