Location of the transmission speed sensor output shaft - VSS vehicle speed sensor

To access the sensor, you need to remove the air filter box. The sensor is on the top of the transmission housing. Here are the directions. The attached pics correlate with the directions.

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2013 Honda Civic Sedan L4-1.8L (R18Z1)
Output Shaft (Countershaft) Speed Sensor Removal And Installation (A/T)
Vehicle Powertrain Management Transmission Control Systems Sensors and Switches - Transmission and Drivetrain Sensors and Switches - A/T Transmission Speed Sensor Service and Repair Removal and Replacement Output Shaft (Countershaft) Speed Sensor Removal And Installation (A/T)
OUTPUT SHAFT (COUNTERSHAFT) SPEED SENSOR REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (A/T)
Service Information

Output Shaft (Countershaft) Speed Sensor Removal and Installation

Removal

1. Air Cleaner


pic 1


1. Disconnect the intake air duct (A).

2. Remove the air cleaner (B).

3. Remove the harness clamp (C).

2. Output Shaft (Countershaft) Speed Sensor


pic 2


1. Disconnect the connector (A).


pic 3


2. Remove the output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor (A) with the O-ring (B).

Service Information

Installation

1. Output Shaft (Countershaft) Speed Sensor


pic 4


1. Install the output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor (A) using a new O-ring (B).


pic 5


2. Check the connector (A) for corrosion, dirt, or oil, and clean or repair if necessary, then connect the connector securely.

2. Air Cleaner


pic 6


1. Install the harness clamp (A).

2. Install the air cleaner (B).

3. Connect the intake air duct (C).

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Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

Hi Joe,

Thanks so much for the quick and detailed response! I'll check it out on Friday (ordered a ratchet extension since the one i have so far is too short).

Another question is, is there a serial number or parts number to look for if i need to buy a replacement sensor? May i just use R18Z1?

Thanks again in advance!

Hi,

All you will need to tell them is the year, make and model. They will most likely ask for the engine size.

Let me know if I can help.

Take care,
Joe

Hi Joe,

a quick update:

After replacing the VSS, all the lights are gone, including p0722, p1747 and p1780.

Thanks so much for the help. This has saved me thousands of dollars since some folks from AutoZone told me that my transmission is not working.

You are very welcome. I'm glad to hear it took care of everything.

Take care and feel free to come back anytime you need help.

Joe

what do I have to take off to access sensor?

Good morning,

Below is a picture and the procedure for you for the sensor.

Roy

A/T Output Shaft (Countershaft) Speed Sensor Replacement

1. Remove the air cleaner assembly See: Air Cleaner Housing > Removal and Replacement and the intake air duct.

2. Disconnect the output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor connector, and remove the output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor (A).

3. Install a new O-ring (B) on a new output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor, then install the output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor in the transmission housing.

4. Check the connector for rust, dirt, or oil, and clean or repair if necessary, then connect the connector securely.

5. Install the intake air duct and the air cleaner assembly. See: Air Cleaner Housing > Removal and Replacement

Thank you.

You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy

119000 speedometer fails and comes back on at will
after rebooting check engine light stays off or on while speedometer is working. I am taking it back to a repair shop for the 5th time Monday $1270.00 later
started with a tune up 3 weeks ago because of a check engine light $270.00 and then $ 1000.00 more to replaced a alternater,computer speed sensor
electrical socket to speed sensor, fan motor and head light reconditioning kit and towing the original
analizer code after tune up po501?

Hello .. thanks for the donation .. much appreciated You have replaced the sensor and the computer .. you will now need to check the wiring !! DTC P0500 & P0501: VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR (VSS) MALFUNCTION 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 at VSS and PCM connectors. See appropriate wiring diagram in WIRING DIAGRAMS article. Repair as necessary. 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. Using backprobe set, measure voltage between PCM 25-pin connector "B" terminal No. 20 (Brown/Black wire) and PCM 31-pin connector "C" terminal No. 23 (Blue/White wire). See Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 . If voltage does not pulse between zero and 5 volts or battery voltage, go to next step. If voltage pulses between zero and 5 volts or battery voltage, substitute a known-good PCM and recheck. If symptom or indication goes away, replace original PCM. Turn ignition off. Disconnect PCM 31-pin connector "C". Turn ignition on. Block right front wheel and slowly rotate left front wheel by hand. Using backprobe set, measure voltage between PCM 25-pin connector "B" terminal No. 20 (Brown/Black wire) and PCM 31-pin connector "C" terminal No. 23 (Blue/White wire). See Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 . If voltage pulses between zero and 5 volts or battery voltage, substitute a known-good PCM and recheck. If symptom or indication goes away, replace original PCM. If voltage does not pulse between zero and 5 volts or battery voltage, check for short in Blue/White wire between PCM, TCM and VSS. Also check for open in Blue/White wire between PCM and VSS. Fig2 " B"Terminals

Fig3 "C" Terminals

I would also check the junction connector in the right Kick Panel ... this may have been damaged by passengers feet !!

Hope this helps

When I first start the car and start driving, the speedometer sticks and bounces around 20 mph, no matter what my accual speed is. Once the car is warmed up, (1 to 2 miles, outside temp 50-60 degrees), It works fine from then on. I have already changed the Vehicle Speed Sensor, and checked for loose and fraid wires under the hood.

If the wiring is good and VSS is new, the speedo itself must be bad.

I've seen this numerous times. I can confirm that the speedometer needs to be replaced.

Hi, I have a '97 honda civic lx sedan, the speedometer, cruise and the srs doesn't work. I've checked all fuses an I'm wondering, does the vss need voltage or does it send voltage to the ecm?

Speedometer and cruise are related but the SRS is another different problem. It is related to the cruise only if the horns are not working, that would mean a bad clock spring reel under the steering wheel.

The VSS needs voltage and it sends a pulse to the speedomter and ECM.

My speedometer stopped working all of a sudden on the road and the check engine light came on. Where is my VSS located, and how do i replace it?

It is a simple case of unscrewing old sensor and screwing back in new one .. you will need wrenches of course ? hope this helps

Hey, my gauge cluster reads speed fine but my Hondata is only reading 4mph I changed speed sensor changed engine harness still only reads/data logs 4mph. I need to know how to fix this. thanks

Hey TIMOTHY SHINKAROFF,

Which part of the harness did you replace?

I have attached the wiring diagrams for engine controls.

From this you will see there is a yellow/blue wire that goes to the PCM pin B10 from the VSS.

I have attached a description of the VSS function too.

Do you have access to a multi-meter?

Have you contacted Hondata regards this fault?

Regards, Joe

I replaced the engine harness with a wire harness so its from the ECU to the engine and the only part of the old harness that is used is the two clips on the drivers side. Yes, I have a multi-meters yes Hondata told me it can’t be the Hondata unit because the ECU is what reads the speed so they said it’s wiring or the ECU I open the ECU looking for anything burnt and did not see anything. also my cruse control still works but that’s for the diagrams it raining here today. so I’ll do some more work on it tomorrow.

Hey TIMOTHY SHINKAROFF,

So the harness from the VSS to the ECM/cruise control/instrument cluster has been replaced?

Where does the Hondata connect?

You will need to check the wiring, i would start by disconnecting the VSS and the ECM.

Check resistance between -
Pin 3 Yellow/white wire on the VSS
Pin B10 Yellow/blue wire on the ECM

You are looking for a low resistance value (0-3ohms)

Let me know what you get here.

Do you have the check engine light on?

I have attached the wiring diagram again below, it came out low resolution before.

Regards, Joe

I just replaced the vehicle speed sensor and to speedometer, trip and odometer still dont work. the tachometer, gas gauge and temperature gauge work. what could be the problem? is it the speedometer itself? is it the shaft inside the tranny that is part of the speed sensor. I didnt replace all of that. I just replaced the plug...

Hi teamdevotion24,

It could be any of the those mentioned.

Testings would have to be carried out to determine the source. Was the VSs replaced new or used? Was the center pin installed?

Yes it is brand new and i tested it in my other 1995 honda civic. Yes the pin was installed. I removed the gear shaft and it looked brand new with no wear on it. So i assume it is electrical. Where do i start? I mean the tach works the gas gauge everything. My cruise turns on but doesnt work. when looking through the book i looked at the wiring diagram and the wiring for the VSS is also part of the cruise control. I know the check engine light comes on but I dont have the money to have it hooked up and checked.

You can retrieve the trouble code by bridging the SCS connector, turn ignition ON and count the blinking of the CEL to get the code.

I have sent the diagnostic files for VSS truble codes to you via email.