Swapping Out The VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor)

[hollywooddippa]

Let's start with my symptoms. The speedo was intermittent and the tranny would totally loose 2-4. It was was worse when the engine was not warmed up. I would be on the highway or residential street and the tranny would just go into neutral. After talking to a couple of guys here I decided to swap out the VSS.

This is a very easy job. Out of a 1-10 scale I'd give it a 3. Once I had all the right tools it only took me about 15 minutes (SERIOUSLY..........15 minutes) to remove and replace. You don't even need any special tools. I just used ramps.
15mm socket
10mm socket
3/8" ratchet
1/4" ratchet
2.5" 3/8" extension
5.5" 3/8" extension
(3/8" uniwiggle would have been very helpful, but I didn't have one)

1st - either jack the passenger side up or just go pick up some $25 Blitz ramps from Walmart (These are huge time savers).

2nd - locate the VSS (It's on the passenger side of the tranny on top. About 4 inches from the axle and in-line with the axle)

3rd - Remove the mounting bracket (It has three 15mm bolts. Two attached to the tranny and one to the motor. Use the 5.5" extension on the one to the motor. It will put your ratchet right up against the boot once you're on the bolt. This one was torqued a little more than the other two and you have less room to work with. ((If I'd had a uniwiggle I would have used the 2.5" extension on the socket then the uniwiggle then the 5.5" extension)) If you don't have a breaker bar, you can use a long 3/8" extension with a 3/4" deep socket and put the deep socket on the butt end of the ratchet so you have more leverage. Remove the middle bolt with the 2.5" extension. The last bolt doesn't need an extension. Also, all three bolts are identicle so don't worry about mixing them up.

4th - Use the 10mm and the 1/4" ratchet to remove the one bolt holding in the VSS. The plug wires are facing the tire and the bolt is towards the inboard. You can feel it with your fingures. No extension need. You'll have to twist the sensor a little before popping it out because of the seal.

Then reverse the process. Not sure what the torque values are on the mounting bracket.

If you have any questions, PM me..........I check this site a couple times a week.

[luvmybravada]

Sounds like a good sticky! Any way to get some pictures to go along with this?

[hollywooddippa]

I can try but it's a tight space.

[austinator]

Pictures wouldn't really be very helpful from my experience as it's more feeling around than looking. Great directions though

[uglyway]

i did this without moving the backet if u have a 10mm and a small ratchet u can go from from under the car and reach up and put it right on the nut holding the sensor and unbolt it u just have 2 feel for the bolt

[aircop63139]

This helped a lot, Thanks! I ended up removing the right front tire and it gave me easy access to the sensor and saved me quite a bit of time and frustration. All you need from this access location is a small ratchet and 10mm socket.

[renaldo0613]

I replaced mine today. I took a pic for this thread. Its the sensor with the harness unplugged. Very easy to get to.

[renaldo0613]

I took my passenger tire off and it made life a lot easier. Took me 5mins to change. I suggest spraying with some electrical contact cleaner while in there.