Is $500 too much for replacing speed sensor?

tsperrazzo · 07-19-2005, 11:01 PM

Problem:
ABS light on....I've read lots of threads on this here.

Shift Indicator lights "lie"....sometimes no gear positions (N/R/P, etc) are lit up on the dash....sometimes what' lit up is wrong (as showing N but car is in Drive). When either of these happen, the car bucks when moving from idle to acceleration.....same when coming to a stop.

Remedy is to turn key off, wait a few seconds try it again....if the dash indicator light reads correctly, then the problem isn't experienced....but if it reads wrong, then the 'bucking' will occur.

Honda dealer told me: we got a 'read' for a bad speed sensor. They told me the part was about $270 and the labor was 2.5 hours, so $500 overall.

Sounds very pricey to me, and I'm not confident that they know that this will fix my problem. I dont' want to be out $500, have a new sensor, and still have the same problem.

Any feedback?

Thanks.

rodeo02 · 07-19-2005, 11:56 PM

Yes that is VERY pricey. Do a search for "range sensor" or "mode sensor" for details on it's removal, cleaning and/or replacement. If it is indeed bad, call Merlin @ www.stcharlesauto.com for a replacement.
G/luck
Joel

amigo-2k · 07-20-2005, 12:21 AM

most of the the time the range sensor only needs to he cleaned. If you buy new it costs like 100 bucks and takes less then 30 minutes to swap it out for a new on.

So yes, your dealer is taking you for a ride.

wb4lbg · 07-20-2005, 09:23 PM

I'm kind of surprised that neither Joel nor Ryan commented on this but it sounds like you actually have two problems.

The speed sensor is part of the ABS and is what determines the wheels are moving at different speeds when stopping. Gen I Rodeos have one sensor on the differential. Gen II and beyond have two additional sensors -- one on each front wheel. They're not cheap but the price you quoted seems high.

And as both Joel and Ryan pointed out, the range switch is not that difficult to disassemble and clean - at least that's what I've read. I need to do mine because I have the same problem as you. I don't know if it contributed to my A/T going belly up to the tune of $2100 to repair but it did shift poorly when the dash indicator didn't match the selector on the floor.

Good Luck!

JWS
'99 LSE 4WD with newly rebuilt A/T

rodeo02 · 07-20-2005, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wb4lbg

I'm kind of surprised that neither Joel nor Ryan commented on this but it sounds like you actually have two problems...

Oops.. I only addressed one issue. I see that price quote was for a wheel speed sensor and not the range sensor. $500 would be about right if an exciter ring is involved. Not sure where the ring is on this year, but some will require a disassembly of the front hub for an r/r. The optical p/up or speed sensor is fairly simple to r/r. Basically pull it out of the backing plate, unplug and pop in a new one.
G/luck
Joel

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