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2G Gauge cluster speedo and odometer don't work

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SneezyGst

Probationary Member
24
0
May 29, 2021
Howell, Michigan
Hey guys. A bit confused, hoping for a link or explanation. My speedo and odometer don't work. I pulled out the gauge cluster to see if everything looks kosher as the car was a bit of a hack job when I got it. To my surprise I saw a huge hole behind the speedo and male connections for everything else! I figured this was surely the problem until I looked in my Chilton and it shows the hole. How the hell does the speedo work if it has zero connection to anything??
 
2G's have an electric speedometer/odometer fed by a signal from the sensor in the transmission unlike the 1g's that have a cable from the mechanical sensor in the same place to the back of the cluster.
 
2G's have an electric speedometer/odometer fed by a signal from the sensor in the transmission unlike the 1g's that have a cable from the mechanical sensor in the same place to the back of the cluster.
Does it make sense that both the odometer and the speedo don't work? Are the both married to the sensor in the trans?

At this point is it literally only 1 of 2 things. Bad sensor or a bad cluster?
 
At this point is it literally only 1 of 2 things. Bad sensor or a bad cluster?

I missed this part. Depending on the exact version of your car there can be more things connected to the VSS signal like cruise control, Auto Trans, and others.
 
Check the connection going to the top of the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) located in the rear motor mount bracket, under the left side of the intake manifold. Here's a picture I took for reference once you get back there...
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If it's not the connection, there's a single 10mm bolt holding it into the trans that maybe loose too.

If the connection is good and the bolt is tight, remove the VSS by loosening the 10mm bolt and pulling it out of the transmission (you don't need to drain the trans fluid to do this). Once you have it out inspect the VSS gear to make sure it it's in good shape. If it's bad, you can replace just the gear but it's year/trans specific so make sure you get the one that matches your car.

If everything checks out, it's possible the VSS sensor failed and you'll need to replace it. If you order a new one, you'd swap the gear over to the new sensor.
 
Check the connection going to the top of the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) located in the rear motor mount bracket, under the left side of the intake manifold. Here's a picture I took for reference once you get back there...
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If it's not the connection, there's a single 10mm bolt holding it into the trans that maybe loose too.

If the connection is good and the bolt is tight, remove the VSS by loosening the 10mm bolt and pulling it out of the transmission (you don't need to drain the trans fluid to do this). Once you have it out inspect the VSS gear to make sure it it's in good shape. If it's bad, you can replace just the gear but it's year/trans specific so make sure you get the one that matches your car.

If everything checks out, it's possible the VSS sensor failed and you'll need to replace it. If you order a new one, you'd swap the gear over to the new sensor.
Thanks for the great write up! I pulled the clip, it trash and held together with a zip tie. I just purchased a new pig tail, I'll try that and the 10 mill first.
When you say check the gear, is that where I've read to stick your finger in the trans and you can feel the gear and your feeling for breaks or wear?
Last, if I order a new vss, I have to change the gear?? Which involves dropping the trans? I can't just put a new sensor in?

Thanks for the help!
 
Last, if I order a new vss, I have to change the gear?? Which involves dropping the trans? I can't just put a new sensor in?

Thanks for the help!

I believe what he's saying is that a new VSS doesn't come with the gear so you'll need to swap your old one or buy a new one for your car and trans if the old one is bad.
 
Thanks for the great write up! I pulled the clip, it trash and held together with a zip tie. I just purchased a new pig tail, I'll try that and the 10 mill first.
When you say check the gear, is that where I've read to stick your finger in the trans and you can feel the gear and your feeling for breaks or wear?
Last, if I order a new vss, I have to change the gear?? Which involves dropping the trans? I can't just put a new sensor in?

Thanks for the help!
Like Steve said, the gear inside the sensor would need swapped over. Here's a picture of it.

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Like Steve said, the gear inside the sensor would need swapped over. Here's a picture of it.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.
Even if the gear Is good?? That's what I'm trying to understand. If I reach in, gear is intact and teeth feel good and I decide to replace the VSS, am I still required to change the gear? I can't see how that make sense. But I've seen dumber things..

Can you please confirm also that in order to replace the gear the trans has to he dropped? I'm comfortable spending $100 trying to fix what i can get to, o can do without a speedo if it requires the trans to be dropped.
 
There are two gears involved in the VSS function, one on the sensor and one in the transmission. We've been largely talking about the one on the sensor and your asking about the one in the trans, which if damaged would require removing the trans to replace it.
 
There are two gears involved in the VSS function, one on the sensor and one in the transmission. We've been largely talking about the one if the sensor and your asking about the one in the trans which if damaged would require removing the trans to replace it.
That makes Allllll the sense in the world! Didn't realize the sensor had a gear too. That clears it up! Thanks. Will update with results.
 
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