VSS Specs?

[danielevioli]

Recently purchased a 92 3.0 4wd with, among other things, the speedo/odometer not working. The sensor is getting a steady 12 volts, and when tested, it intermittently sends back 0 and 6 volts (almost exactly). Does that sound to spec?

Thinking maybe the idiot who owned it before me just didn't wanna build up miles.. but defeats the purpose if you're not going to plug it back in before selling...

Any tips on where to start next? Looks like there was an aftermarket alarm/remote control system installed under the dash. Maybe I should start by getting rid of that?

 

[chester4Run]

Recently purchased a 92 3.0 4wd with, among other things, the speedo/odometer not working. The sensor is getting a steady 12 volts, and when tested, it intermittently sends back 0 and 6 volts (almost exactly). Does that sound to spec?

Thinking maybe the idiot who owned it before me just didn't wanna build up miles.. but defeats the purpose if you're not going to plug it back in before selling...

Any tips on where to start next? Looks like there was an aftermarket alarm/remote control system installed under the dash. Maybe I should start by getting rid of that?

It sounds like we've had a similar experience. I bought a 94 with broken speedo. I swapped the VSS with a $20 one from Amazon and was driving the truck around the yard trying to get the speedo to start working. I ended up replacing the gauge cluster too without fixing it. I put it on the road anyway and went for a drive and it started working within a mile. I put the old gauge back in and that works too. So keep in mind the sensor may take a mile or so to start working the first time. Some years have a mechanical connection to the gauge cluster for the speedo, but mine does not (just FYI in case yours does -- my situation wouldn't be similar then).

I had a disable type security device under my dash too. It had a removable card type thing that could be pulled out after the vehicle was started and it would remain running, but without it the starter would not engage. It had 6 or 8 wires, two of which interrupted the ignition and the rest went to ground. If yours is similar, it's really to easy to revert the splice with a little solder and shrink tube. It was about a 5 minute job while I had the dash apart replacing the gauge cluster.

Good luck!

 

[danielevioli]

It sounds like we've had a similar experience. I bought a 94 with broken speedo. I swapped the VSS with a $20 one from Amazon and was driving the truck around the yard trying to get the speedo to start working. I ended up replacing the gauge cluster too without fixing it. I put it on the road anyway and went for a drive and it started working within a mile. I put the old gauge back in and that works too. So keep in mind the sensor may take a mile or so to start working the first time. Some years have a mechanical connection to the gauge cluster for the speedo, but mine does not (just FYI in case yours does -- my situation wouldn't be similar then).

I had a disable type security device under my dash too. It had a removable card type thing that could be pulled out after the vehicle was started and it would remain running, but without it the starter would not engage. It had 6 or 8 wires, two of which interrupted the ignition and the rest went to ground. If yours is similar, it's really to easy to revert the splice with a little solder and shrink tube. It was about a 5 minute job while I had the dash apart replacing the gauge cluster.

Good luck!

Hey thanks for the advice. I've tried a new sensor but still no luck.

My machine also seems to have an alarm system under the dash, although I was given no remote. From what I understand it's aftermarket. Can you elaborate on what you're saying about the the security system having to do with the speedo wiring?