94 Civic Speedo Problem

I have a '94 Civic Ex coupe, that get's no reading at all on the speedometer
or on the mileage gauge. Talking to several people I've been informed that
it's probably the VSS sensor. Looking at it, it just seems to be a simple
plug-in connector, but after calling a local Honda dealer, I was told it
cost around $130. Can this be the only problem that would cause that? (I'd
like to know before I put out $130 for a cheap looking little plug-in), or
does anyone know where I could get one cheaper? Thanks in advance for any
help.

 

likely just the connection is dirty, a simple cleaning should cure it.
If not, I should have a extra that I can sell for about $25.

But it is usually just a dirty connection.

--
Charles Tague
93 Honda Civic DX HB
1.6L SOHC VTEC 14.85 @ 89 mph,1.98 60 ft.
With ZEX 85 hp ZEX 13.09 @ 103 mph, 1.81 60ft.
86 Pontiac Trans Am
225/50/15 GForce Drag Radials
305 peanut cammed 15.29 @ 88 mph
http://home.cinci.rr.com/mistab0ne/

 

The cruise control also uses the signal from the VSS. Test your cruise
control; If it works the VSS is good and you have a connection problem.
If the cruise does not work, you might have a bad VSS or a bad
connection somewhere.

If you want to do some further tests, unplug the connector from the VSS
and measure resistance between the black wire and body ground. There
should be continuity (less than a few ohms is OK).

Turn on the ignition (do not start the car) and measure the voltage
between body ground and the Yellow/Blue wire. You should see battery
voltage (between 11.5 and 14 V depending on the state of charge of your
battery).

With the ignition still on measure the voltage between body ground and
the Yellow/White wire. You should see around 5V.

If any of the above measurements fail, you have some sort of wiring
problem. If they all pass, turn off the ignition and plug the connector
back into the VSS.

Then on to testing the VSS: Set the parking brake, set the car in
neutral and block one front wheel. Jack up the car at the front wheel
that is not blocked. Connect your volt meter between body ground and the
Yellow/White wire going to the VSS (with the connector plugged in). I
sometimes use a sewing needle to make the connection if my voltmeter
probes are too fat.) Turn the ignition on (but do not start the car).
Slowly rotate the front wheel that is lifted off the ground. The voltage
should alternate between 0V and battery voltage. If it does, the VSS is
good.

If you have to remove the VSS, note that there is a tiny drive link
connecting it to the transmission / differential. This link is easy to
loose if you don't know that it is there.

Good luck!