Speedometer issues

[naydizzle]

Hi all,

I recently bought a 98 GSX awd (like, yesterday) and neither the speedometer nor the odometer are working. The previous owner said they replaced the actual gauge cluster as well as the speed sensor (but i don't know if I can count on their repairs or not) and I guess i'm just wondering where to start in terms of diagnosing and repairing this problem.

Should I buy another gauge cluster and just try replacing that, or should I look to replace the speed sensor instead?

Thanks in advance

 

[Jaydsm-]

if they dont move at all i'd start by checking if the dash harness is plugged into the cluster, or just remove the cluster unplug and plug a few wires..and if still nothing check the wires from the speed sensor to the dash harness, if the problem is still there replace the cluster I guess or borrow one from someone to test it
but hey thats just me, hope I gave you an idea

 

[97_4g63t]

I would make sure the sensor is plugged in all the way first. Then pull the speed sensor and check the plastic gear on it. Could be stripped or broken. I would try the easiest possibilities first then move my way up.

 

[naydizzle]

thanks Jaydsm and 97_4g63 for your replies, got me started definitely.

i pulled the gauges and they looked fine, the tachometer still works so I took a look at the speed sensor. The electrical connector was on there, albeit dirty, so i cleaned it off and plugged it back in to see if that would solve the problem. It didn't so I decided to actually pull the sensor (with extreme caution, don't want stuff floating around the trans haha) and there was no gear on there?!?!?!?!? I don't know if i did end up dropping the gear, or if there just wasn't one to start with. Unfortunately I don't know what I should be looking for when I look in the hole i pulled the sensor from, so i don't know if it's stuck or just missing. Does anyone have any pictures/info of what i should be looking for in the trans?

 

[97_4g63t]

Can you take a pic? Is this an automatic or 5 speed? You sure you got the right sensor?

 

[miguelmcv]

Yea, A pic would help us a lot.

However, here is a thread dedicated just for the speed sensor, http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/new...oval-part-sender-connector-speedometer-2.html

If you go to the last post, you will see how a speed sensor looks like.

Note, the gear itself can come off, It is hold it with a safety clip.

 

[luv2rallye]

Here's what the 2g vehicle speed sensor looks like (from my 99).

 

[naydizzle]

well the sensor looks a lot like the one in the picture that luv2rallye posted, but without the gear, or the metal rod that connects to the gear. The sensor is hollow inside, I assume for the rod to stick in and clip in to a little tab that's sticking out. I'm 99% positive I didn't lose the gear in the trans (thank god) so I guess whoever replaced it before just didn't put a gear in I guess. So, i ordered one ($20 incl shipping) and i'm hoping that'll solve the problem when it arrives, i'll be sure to let everyone know what happens.

For those who are wondering it is a 5spd, and i'm pretty positive i've got the right sensor. I mean, it fits, but I guess trial and error will tell when this gear arrives in the mail.

Thanks everyone for your help, hopefully I've got this problem figured out!

 

[naydizzle]

So I've got my replacement gear and I put it in the sensor, but as a result it will properly fit into the hole in the trans. Does anyone know if there's anything special I have to do to get it to fit in right? or is it just stubborn and I have to force it?

 

[naydizzle]

Jmmahon I am working on it, the only thing i am having trouble with now is getting the sensor with gear back into the car. I posted another thread on this in the newbie maint/repairs forum. Hopefully once it's in it'll work, but i've been trying to shove the sensor back in for hours with no luck. I can't get the 10mm bolt to grab and fasten into the hole.

 

[97_4g63t]

Are you sure you got a 5 speed awd?

 

[naydizzle]

I got the gear using the part numbers from http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/417925-speed-sensor.html i'm hoping those are the right ones.

 

[luv2rallye]

Yes assuming you got just the gear part of the VSS, are you sure you got the 97-99 AWD M/T one (MD749150) and not the AWD A/T or a FWD one?
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/417925-speed-sensor.html#post152768612

 

[naydizzle]

Yes, I'm positive I got the right part (the 97-99 AWD m/t one) and yes I just got the gear.

 

[984g63awd]

this post is perfect. I too just bought a 98 gsx 5 speed and both my speedometer and odometer are inop. taking it to my mechanic this weekend. keep the updates coming!

 

[naydizzle]

Glad to hear it! nice to know I'm not a complete idiot and I'm helping someone out haha

I did the same, I work at an auto repair shop (just doing oil changes nothing special) so I get discounts if I have another tech look at my car. I'll post up his diagnostic when I get it and let everyone know how I solved this problem for future reference

 

[DJ Raydiate]

So I've got my replacement gear and I put it in the sensor, but as a result it will properly fit into the hole in the trans. Does anyone know if there's anything special I have to do to get it to fit in right? or is it just stubborn and I have to force it?

Don't feel bad. I couldn't get my gear out of the transmission. I ended up dropping it down into the hole in the trans. I had to drain my oil and make a mirror to fit down in there to see it and then fish it out. Mine is still not hooked to mt speed sensor

 

[naydizzle]

Gosh that sounds like a pain. Luckily that didn't happen to me, but I don't know what i'm gonna do about getting this to work. I sent it to the shop I work at, they're looking at it tomorrow (Friday the 13th..) to see if they can diagnose the problem and then fix it.

 

[sillycon]

Any update?

 

[naydizzle]

Not yet, waiting on parts. Since it's close to christmas every shipping company is just freaking out. I'll let you know when I get it fixed

 

[T11GGZ]

Im having problems with my spede/odo they were working fine but couple days ago I pluged a radar and gps into the lighter and it shorted and thats when the spedo and odo stopped now the lighter still work but only with one device its very low power now I checked all fuses and they all work what did I f**k up?

 

[NismoDSM]

could be the wires that feed the signals from the sensor.