speed sensor

ii took my volkswagen jetta 98 to the dealership for a "check-up' and the check engine light came on after I left. I decided to take my car to autozone to get a read out to find out why it came on. they guy there told me that it was on because the speed sensor. Does anyone know what this means and if I could fix it myself. Also, my cruise control is not working. Could this be related?
Thanks Sarah

A few questions:
What engine and transmission do you have in your car?
Do you know the eccact code it's throwing?
Was the car running when they checked the code?

.

hey... thank you for responding to my inquiry... it has a 2.0 4cyl, 5spd. I don't remember what code it was giving... i could go back tomorrow and ask again, and no the car was not running when they ran the test on it at Autozone. The light went off after he "reset" it and i've driven the car over 500 miles on a trip this weekend and it hasn't come back on, so that's good, but i'm still wondering if this speed sensor affects my cruise control...
so what do you think?
thanks!
sarah

If the engine isn't running, you will get a engine speed sensor fault code regardless.
Anyway, mk3's are notorious for their crappy cruise controls, so i'm not sure if they are related.
Have them read the codes when the car is running, and write down the exact code.

well since the check engine light isn't on anymore i guess i can't get the code again until it comes on...
How can i diagnose my cruise problem... or can i? I was going to just replace the speed sensor sense ites only $35 and i've also found a cruise control box for $10 so should i try those things? any idea where the cruise control unit is on a '98 jetta?
thanks!
sarah

Sarah, I'm looking for a speed sensor for my '97 (practically the same car as yours) because the speedometer quit working out of no where....I would check your Fuses before you go replacing parts. It could be a bad one. ALso, Where did you find a $35 speed sensor? Thanks for any help, VW is trying to charge me $60 for mine....

james

hey.. i found the speed sensor on ebay so it will be of no help to you now
sorry

Sarah, I'm looking for a speed sensor for my '97 (practically the same car as yours) because the speedometer quit working out of no where....I would check your Fuses before you go replacing parts. It could be a bad one. ALso, Where did you find a $35 speed sensor? Thanks for any help, VW is trying to charge me $60 for mine....

james

I got the prob fixed... i found that speed sensor on Ebaymotors.com
good luck
sarah