Vehicle speed sensor

Hi japslico,

A little grease at the VSS pin between the sensor and meter gear is required.

Speedometer not working are usually due to faulty VSS. It could also be due to the meter gear that is plugged into the transmission, but rarely occurs. Check for loose electrical connector at the VSS.

For the CEL, it could be triggered by the VSS malfunctioning and to understand if it is related, get a free scan done at Autozone to see what codes are stored.

I have replaced the VSS again with a new one and after a week it drops to zero again and the check engine light is on. How do I repair the metal gear that connects the VSS or I need to have a mechanic to have it checked? Will it also be a faulty signal generator? Thank you for your informative advice.

Here are the procedures for testing the VSS operations: DTC P0500 & P0501: VSS RANGE/PERFORMANCE PROBLEM 1. Test drive vehicle. Using scan tool, check vehicle speed. If correct speed is not indicated, go to next step. If correct speed is indicated, problem is intermittent, system is okay at this time. Check for poor connections or loose wires between VSS and PCM. Repair as necessary. 2. Turn ignition off. Block rear wheels and set parking brake. Raise and support front of vehicle. Turn ignition on. Block right front wheel and slowly rotate left front wheel by hand. Measure voltage between PCM connectors terminal A9 and terminal C18. See Fig. 3 . If voltage does not pulse zero and 5 volts, go to next step. If voltage pulses zero and 5 volts, substitute a known-good PCM and recheck. If symptom or indication goes away, replace original PCM. 3. Turn ignition off. Disconnect PCM 31-pin connector "C". Turn ignition on. Block right front wheel and slowly rotate left front wheel by hand. Measure voltage between PCM connector terminal A9 and terminal C18. If voltage pulses zero and 5 volts, substitute a known-good PCM and recheck. If symptom or indication goes away, replace original PCM. If voltage does not pulse zero and 5 volts, repair a short or open in wire between PCM and VSS. If wire is okay, check VSS.

How much is the average cost to have the P0501 code fix if I send it to the mechanic? What does faulty CVT transmission means? Thanks again.

It would depend on what is wrong causing the fault code. A VSS would not cost too much but if it is the PCM, then it would cost a lot more.

CVT = Constant Velocity Transmission. It is an automatic trans found mainly in the CIVIC range of vehicles. There are no gear shifting as pullies and V-belt type of chains are used for varying the gear ratios.

Your vehicle is not equipped with CVT.

I have my VSS replaced and the wiring checked by a mechanic and the check engine light was gone. I drove the car for almost five hundred miles then the speedometer was intermittent again and the check engine light went on. I have it checked by Autozone scanner and it is showing P0501 and P0113.

How does this code affect the performance of my car and what is the best solution to my constant VSS problem?

Was the VSS replaced new or used?
Is it OEM?

For the VSS, the diagnostic procedures were outlined in previous post.

A VSS fault would result in erratic shifting.

DTC P0113: INTAKE AIR TEMPERATURE (IAT) SENSOR HIGH VOLTAGE INPUT

1. Turn ignition on. Check IAT sensor using scan tool. If -4°F (-20°C) or less is indicated, go to next step. If -4°F (-20°C) or less is not indicated, problem is intermittent. Check for poor connections or loose wires at Gray 14-pin connectors (located near right and left shock towers), IAT sensor connector, and PCM connector.

2. Disconnect IAT 2-pin connector. Install jumper wire between IAT sensor connector terminals. Using scan tool, check intake air temperature. If -4°F (-20°C) or less is indicated, go to next step. If -4°F(-20°C) or less is not indicated, replace IAT sensor.

3. Turn ignition off. Connect jumper wire between PCM 16-pin connector "D" terminal D8 and terminal D11.Turn ignition on. Using scan tool, check intake air temperature. If -4°F(-20°C) or less is not indicated, repair open in wiring between IAT sensor and PCM connector "D". If -4°F (-20°C) or less is indicated, substitute a known-good PCM and recheck. If symptom or indication goes away, replace original PCM.

© 2008 Mitchell Repair Information Co., LLC.

Yes, the VSS was new and it is OEM.

Perform diagnostics test on VSS and let me know what you find.

Now my dashboard display has no light when I turn on my A/C and when I turned it off then the light went back again. What need to be checked and replaced this time?

If the battery is good, then you need to check the connections.

Another item would be the ignition switch. Wit A/C turned on, cycle the ignition switch and slowly turn to start to check if the dash indicators lights comes on or flickers. If they do, then the ignition switch is bad.