C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Speedo quit working

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 10, 2011 | 09:57 PM
  #1  
89vette's Avatar
89vette
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,381
Likes: 42
From: Murrysville PA
Default Speedo quit working - UPDATE

So here's the problem of the week. No speedo signal at the dash or ECM. So I pull the VSS and it looks good. I looked in the VSS hole and the teeth on the worm gear look good. However, I can spin the worm gear with my finger. I've never had the tailshaft off before but I would think thar the worm gear should not spin. Anyone know this before I pull the tailshaft?

UPDATE:
I had a closer look this AM and the drive gear is NOT spinning on the output shaft. It must have felt that way when I was attempting to turn it. Also my VSS is generating an output voltage so the problem is between the speed sensor and the dash.

And to think for a minute I thought this was going to be easy!

Last edited by 89vette; Jul 11, 2011 at 08:31 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2011 | 10:40 PM
  #2  
cadmaniac's Avatar
cadmaniac
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 810
Likes: 58
From: Alva Florida
Default

You can check the pulse of the VSS with a multimeter. I checked mine and it will register a pulse signal. I used plastic jumper connectors from the speedo wires out of the transmission to make long wires I could use to test, jacked up the car, set the rear on the frame on jackstands and got the tires up to what would be maybe 5-8 mph. The VSS registers a signal in the smallest of measurments I believe of voltage, but cant remember. Google "How to test a Vehicle speed sensor" and it will tell you how to set your multimeter.

My VSS puts out, but my speedo doesn't work...wish I could figure out why too...


Good Luck!
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2011 | 08:40 AM
  #3  
89vette's Avatar
89vette
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,381
Likes: 42
From: Murrysville PA
Default

VSS Verifed working and the gear is NOT spinning on the shaft. On to wiring issues.......fun.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2011 | 10:37 AM
  #4  
engle1147's Avatar
engle1147
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Default

Originally Posted by 89vette
So here's the problem of the week. No speedo signal at the dash or ECM. So I pull the VSS and it looks good. I looked in the VSS hole and the teeth on the worm gear look good. However, I can spin the worm gear with my finger. I've never had the tailshaft off before but I would think thar the worm gear should not spin. Anyone know this before I pull the tailshaft?

UPDATE:
I had a closer look this AM and the drive gear is NOT spinning on the output shaft. It must have felt that way when I was attempting to turn it. Also my VSS is generating an output voltage so the problem is between the speed sensor and the dash.

And to think for a minute I thought this was going to be easy!
There is a very large multiple pin connector on the firewall just behind the battery that can collect water if the seal is old/busted. The wire from the VSS goes to - through that plug then on to the cluster.

Reply
Old Jul 11, 2011 | 10:39 AM
  #5  
89vette's Avatar
89vette
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,381
Likes: 42
From: Murrysville PA
Default

Originally Posted by engle1147
There is a very large multiple pin connector on the firewall just behind the battery that can collect water if the seal is old/busted. The wire from the VSS goes to - through that plug then on to the cluster.

Thank you. Maybe it has something to do with my tach's erratic signal too even after replacing the tach filter. I suspect it's the connector that plugs into the right side of the gauge cluster.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2011 | 10:53 AM
  #6  
engle1147's Avatar
engle1147
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Default

Originally Posted by 89vette
Thank you. Maybe it has something to do with my tach's erratic signal too even after replacing the tach filter. I suspect it's the connector that plugs into the right side of the gauge cluster.
The tach wire in the firewall connector is one of the pins near the bottom of the connector and it is usually where h20 collects first and causes an issue. The big firewall connector is a real bear to get to, remove, clean, reinstall and reseal. Take your time with the project.

Speedo and tach connections @ the cluster are in the same connector (the larger of the 2).

Check the ground cables (- battery cables) lug(s) on the engine block (big wire directly bolted to the block above the oil temp sender) and on the tranny bell housing to ensure that they are good-n-tight. Loose grounds will sometimes give you wacky problems such as your mentioning. Keep us posted.


Last edited by engle1147; Jul 11, 2011 at 12:55 PM.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Speedo quit working





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:43 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE