where is the speed sensor?

[monkeydude3]

Where is the VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor) on my automatic 1990 accord?


I have a chilton book and the picture doens't really tell you sh** and also I looked around and couldn't see it.

I wanna inspect the wiring too and from it, and the sensor itself and see if I can't figure out what causes the signal to come and go


Thanks

George

[whatever210]

okay this is a hard one to see. if you looking on at your engine then it will be more on the left side. if you look under you intake manifold you should see a little device sticking up from the back of the transmission. you have to look closely. its very hard to see. it should have 2 lines running to it. thats power steering fluid. there should be a sensor on top. but the speed sensor is on the back of the tranny. your prob gunna have to remove your piping for your intake. good luck man. just look closely its hard to see.

[PakaloloHonda]

Yep .. 210 is correct .. its gonna be difficult to locate without removing your intake ..
It'll be right on *top* of the tranny .. passenger side. Its a biotch to work on ..
Shine a light back/down there .. g'luck with everything ...

A Hui Hou !!!
Tomi

[monkeydude3]

Great guys, thanks


What do you think would cause the signal to come and go? And it's random, there is no real pattern to how it comes and goes.... seem slike a loose wire


I was debating getting a new sensor and just replacing it for good measure.


Would putting the car on a lift help? Because in a few weeks after the timing belt and wheel cylinders are done it will be on a lift for the CV axles and springs....

[PakaloloHonda]

No need for it to be on a lift to replace the VSS .. matter a fact, it'll be easier on the floor ..
In as much as the "cause" for it to fail is concerned, well .. it's prolly the original VSS?

A Hui Hou !!!
Tomi

[NAiL05]

Yep no need for a jack its like two 10mm bolts on top and pulls out dont forget to unplug it really not that hard to take out at all. I already took mine out 3 times lol 3 bad sensors from used cars and my old trans.

[cebese7en]

thanks guys for the thread and the advice. I have been getting real good at guessing my speed for the last 3 months but I finally broke down and got the replacement and look forward to installing it with my new found knowledge.

[monkeydude3]

It hasn't failed totally. It comes and goes... does this probably still mean it's toast, just not 100% gone yet?


I'll probably get a new one... just was hopefuly it could be a loose wire. O well

$90 at autozone... $150 at dealer.

[NAiL05]

It could be the speedo gauge you never know. Sometimes if it just plain ol doesnt work it will throw a code 17. My lil bro we thought he had a vss problem on his corolla but it turns out it was his gauge. It would work only if you got on highway but it would like sore to 80 then just drop back to zero for a couple of seconds so yea. Usually I would change the vss to see if its that problem.

[monkeydude3]

well, would the gauge be tied into the odometer? Or are those somewhat separate?

Because when the speedo doesn't work the odometer doens't do anything either. I have a feeling the sensor is fried. Like sometimes I'll be drivin around, any speed it'll work great. Then it just tanks, stays dead for a while then comes back. And repeat


George

[PakaloloHonda]

well, would the gauge be tied into the odometer? Or are those somewhat separate?

Because when the speedo doesn't work the odometer doens't do anything either. I have a feeling the sensor is fried. Like sometimes I'll be drivin around, any speed it'll work great. Then it just tanks, stays dead for a while then comes back. And repeat


George

Check your ECU Code when its acting up .. chances are, like Nail said, you'll be throwing a code 17.
They hardly ever just "tank" out, and not come back up again .. they act up, and act up,
til at some point .. they "tank" alltogether.

You can check eBay. I bought mine there for 40 bucks .. its rebuilt and has worked great!

Never Go to the Stealership !!!
Tomi

[Crazemonie]

my car just threw a CEL the other night...1st time it has EVER done that in the past 1 1/2yr...then the speedo dropped, came on and off occassiocally and now its dead as a goldfish in the toilet....im going to replace the vss, if it works i'll do a D.I.Y. for it since im not the first to have this problem!

[mmmBAH]

right on top of the tranny, remove intake

[Geist Zero]

It is a pain to get to. Oh and make sure you get that little bastard of a splined shaft in there correctly. Those can be pretty easy to lose too.

[Crazemonie]

so do i have to remove the intake PIPING or the MANIFOLD?