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From: Damn taxes! Pimpin' Ain't Easy in Massachusetts
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'08-'09
Help please, Speedometer problem
I just recently had my Digital gauge cluster rebuilt on my Auto ‘86 after years of it not working at all.
When I plugged it in everything works and lights up but my speedometer just cycles on and then just reads “0” MPH.I believe after researching the problem its most likely the VSS on the back of the trans thats faulty.Has anybody replaced this before? Does it just pop out once I remove the one bolt holding it in?
Is this the correct Speed Sensor?
What axle ratio is your '86? It could certainly matter in the approach to a repair. It very well could be the issue.
Before buying anything you want to confirm the need. Often the 'center connect' on the earlier VSS just has a connector failure. Your '86 would NOT look like the 'perimeter' connector VSS you have in the link.
From: Damn taxes! Pimpin' Ain't Easy in Massachusetts
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'08-'09
Originally Posted by WVZR-1
What axle ratio is your '86? It could certainly matter in the approach to a repair. It very well could be the issue.
That's a great point...
Originally it had 2.59's in the rear with a Dana36 but I had it converted to a Dana44 with 3.45's, the HACKS that did the work probably never swapped out the gears.
That's a great point...
Originally it had 2.59's in the rear with a Dana36 but I had it converted to a Dana44 with 3.45's, the HACKS that did the work probably never swapped out the gears.
You want to confirm the VSS in the car is actually bad 1st. Then you determine a plan. The driven gear used on the VSS is very dependent on the rear axle ratio and tire size. Both the VSS and the gears are a difficult find now. The drive gear required on the transmission output shaft is an easier find. You need to be very careful removing a 'center connect' VSS from the car, many destroy the VSS just attempting to remove it. Do you have a lift? A very good way to lift rear wheels and getting 'safe access' to the underneath? Might be easier and maybe desirable to check VSS left in the car. When the speedo worked did you believe it to be correct?
From: Damn taxes! Pimpin' Ain't Easy in Massachusetts
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'08-'09
Originally Posted by WVZR-1
You want to confirm the VSS in the car is actually bad 1st. Then you determine a plan. The driven gear used on the VSS is very dependent on the rear axle ratio and tire size. Both the VSS and the gears are a difficult find now. The drive gear required on the transmission output shaft is an easier find. You need to be very careful removing a 'center connect' VSS from the car, many destroy the VSS just attempting to remove it. Do you have a lift? A very good way to lift rear wheels and getting 'safe access' to the underneath? Might be easier and maybe desirable to check VSS left in the car. When the speedo worked did you believe it to be correct?
Unfortunately I do not have a lift, just a Jack and jack stands. :-/
The speedo did work back when I had the old Dana with the 2.59's, but that was so long ago I'm not even sure if it ever worked with the new engine and rear I had put in the car over 6 years ago.
There were so many other problems the hacks did at shop it was in I don't think I even looked to be honest.
This Vette has pretty much been parked ever since I had all the work done to it.
I got so screwed by the builder I parked the car and walked away, only recently have I decided to try and make it right.
The dash gauges have not been functional for so many years.
Is there a way to test the VSS while its still in the car?
Unfortunately I do not have a lift, just a Jack and jack stands. :-/
The speedo did work back when I had the old Dana with the 2.59's, but that was so long ago I'm not even sure if it ever worked with the new engine and rear I had put in the car over 6 years ago.
There were so many other problems the hacks did at shop it was in I don't think I even looked to be honest.
This Vette has pretty much been parked ever since I had all the work done to it.
I got so screwed by the builder I parked the car and walked away, only recently have I decided to try and make it right.
The dash gauges have not been functional for so many years.
Is there a way to test the VSS while its still in the car?
I want 'NO PART IN A SUGGESTED' in car check. I can tell you that if it was working, with a meter the VSS will output an AC Voltage signal. Knowing that maybe you consider a 'for hire'!! You want to check the VSS connector etc before moving on.
From: Damn taxes! Pimpin' Ain't Easy in Massachusetts
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'08-'09
Originally Posted by WVZR-1
I want 'NO PART IN A SUGGESTED' in car check. I can tell you that if it was working, with a meter the VSS will output an AC Voltage signal. Knowing that maybe you consider a 'for hire'!! You want to check the VSS connector etc before moving on.
What you could do is confirm it's actually a 'center connect' VSS and connected. If the VSS is 'BLACK' you could likely assume it's original and never touched by the shop that did the rear. If it''s 'WHITE' and then maybe it's something else they failed miserably at. On the VSS will be either 35 - 39 or 40-45 - you might make a note of that also.
From: Damn taxes! Pimpin' Ain't Easy in Massachusetts
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'08-'09
Originally Posted by WVZR-1
What you could do is confirm it's actually a 'center connect' VSS and connected. If the VSS is 'BLACK' you could likely assume it's original and never touched by the shop that did the rear. If it''s 'WHITE' and then maybe it's something else they failed miserably at. On the VSS will be either 35 - 39 or 40-45 - you might make a note of that also.
Here is a picture of it, pretty grimy! Not easy to get a pic of it with the exhaust in the way.
Last edited by Mr. Magoo; Jul 24, 2018 at 12:35 PM.
From: Damn taxes! Pimpin' Ain't Easy in Massachusetts
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'08-'09
Originally Posted by rharker
It looks like the connector isn't fully engaged. You shouldn't see the green seal.
I noticed that too, but I cannot push it in any further.....bent pin?
It's impossible to even see if anything is damaged with the exhaust in the way. (3" dual exhaust)
Last edited by Mr. Magoo; Jul 24, 2018 at 12:43 PM.
I noticed that too, but I cannot push it in any further.
The VSS isn't an original 'center connect' and it appears that they didn't change the connector on the car harness to accommodate the 'perimeter' connect. I'd buy a connector for a 'perimeter connect' and make that the first try.. I'll dig you up the part # to buy locally!
From: Damn taxes! Pimpin' Ain't Easy in Massachusetts
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'08-'09
Originally Posted by WVZR-1
The VSS isn't an original 'center connect' and it appears that they didn't change the connector on the car harness to accommodate the 'perimeter' connect. I'd buy a connector for a 'perimeter connect' and make that the first try.. I'll dig you up the part # to buy locally!
Just one more HACK thing done to my VETTE! Why wouldn't that of been noticed by the mechanic, two different connections??
Question, and I might be reaching here.....is there an adapter that I could connect the 'center connect' to the 'perimeter' style connector?
Like this?
That could likely work but it would depend on the condition of the mating connector you've tried and maybe others also have attempted to 'force'. I looked at a similar offering and it appears that the end 'not shown' in your image is correct for what's on the car harness. I'd probably buy the least expensive and cut/splice but it's certainly an option. Cut/splice you could likely accomplish 'local' and today. The adapter I'd think a very difficult 'local' find.
From: Damn taxes! Pimpin' Ain't Easy in Massachusetts
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'08-'09
Originally Posted by WVZR-1
That could likely work but it would depend on the condition of the mating connector you've tried and maybe others also have attempted to 'force'. I looked at a similar offering and it appears that the end 'not shown' in your image is correct for what's on the car harness. I'd probably buy the least expensive and cut/splice but it's certainly an option. Cut/splice you could likely accomplish 'local' and today. The adapter I'd think a very difficult 'local' find.
Here's another pic of it showing the other side.
And you're right, who knows how much damage has been done to the existing connector. :-/
I'll give it a shot anyway, my interior is out as I'm redoing the carpets, ect so I have time.
Thanks so much for your help, hopefully I can fix this mess and move on to other hacks jobs previously done to this car.
I'm determined to make everything right.....
Read and study the link I provided in #12 and let's see if the transmission can maybe be identified. It might be nice to know just what's going on there.
From: Damn taxes! Pimpin' Ain't Easy in Massachusetts
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'08-'09
Originally Posted by WVZR-1
Read and study the link I provided in #12 and let's see if the transmission can maybe be identified. It might be nice to know just what's going on there.
I purchased the Transmission when I bought a new 383 engine (385 now), and a complete Dana44 rear years ago.
I know the transmission was out of another Corvette and I know it was a much newer Corvette than mine. I was told it was just rebuilt and built up with better internals for racing (what that means I couldn’t tell you or if it’s even true). It came with a Vigilante 3200 Converter.
I got screwed by the shop that I bought most of my drivetrain from when they damaged my car and never completed the work we agreed upon, I had to have another shop finish the job.....”finish” is obviously a loose term.
I haven’t talked or seen the original builder, (nor do I want too) for years so I can’t get any more info.
I just want to make this Vette right and undo any shady workmanship... which I’m finding at every turn.
Last edited by Mr. Magoo; Jul 24, 2018 at 07:36 PM.
I purchased the Transmission when I bought a new 383 engine (385 now), and a complete Dana44 rear years ago.
I know the transmission was out of another Corvette and I know it was a much newer Corvette than mine. I was told it was just rebuilt and built up with better internals for racing (what that means I couldn’t tell you or if it’s even true). It came with a Vigilante 3200 Converter.
I got screwed by the shop that I bought most of my drivetrain from when they damaged my car and never completed the work we agreed upon, I had to have another shop finish the job.....”finish” is obviously a loose term.
I haven’t talked or seen the original builder, (nor do I want too) for years so I can’t get any more info.
I just want to make this Vette right and undo any shady workmanship... which I’m finding at every turn.
The later transmission would be an explanation for the 'perimeter' connector VSS. What I would suggest you do thou is confirm that it's an AUX VB 4L60 with the 'arc' at the connectors on the case and maybe just for grins try to get the case and transmission ID from the pan rail. At this point not relevant maybe but 'nice to know' I'd think.When you get the adapter and actually drive it then you want to confirm speedo/odo using a GPS. Depending upon what that tells you then you could make a decision as to how to correct it. You know nothing until you actually 'drive it'.
Help please, Speedometer problem
