explain the VSS (vehical speed senser) in a Lesabre

[dieter]

Initially, my speedometer ceased to function on my 1990 LeSabre and some post had attributed the failure to a possible VSS. Someone had said that if the sensor was bad, then the speedometer and cruise control would not work. The cruise control does work ,but then I learned the VSS also controls the shifting of gears, but I am not sure about this point; my gears shift okay. So I am at a loss to attribute the speedometer failure to the VSS.

Does the VSS control the speedometer and the cruise control and the shifting of gears? If it does do all of that. I can not attribute the speedometer failure to the VSS. If not the VSS, then I assume the speedometer cluster needs to be replaced. Can anyone critique my assumptions?

[maxwedge]

I believe 91 was the first 4t60e. That said the trans is not dependent on veh. speed. The cruise is of course. You need to get a scanner on it and look for an mph reading, if ok something is going on with the wiring or head.

[Tech II]

Agree with Max.....

You need a scan tool.....if you get a reading at the PCM from the VSS, then the VSS is ok.....then you have either a bad cluster or wiring problem....more than likely it's the cluster,rather than wiring.....

Is the needle pinned under the stop on the right side? See that happen when the battery is disconnected while leaving the key in the ignition and the "on" position....

[dieter]

Originally Posted by maxwedge

I believe 91 was the first 4t60e. That said the trans is not dependent on veh. speed. The cruise is of course. You need to get a scanner on it and look for an mph reading, if ok something is going on with the wiring or head.

What type of scanner should I get? And where would the scanner be attached?

I have search all over under the dash board for a connector and can find nothing.

[maxwedge]

Look for an opening in the lower column cover under the dash, r/s of column. Get an obd1 basic scanner, Actron is one.

[dieter]

Originally Posted by maxwedge

Look for an opening in the lower column cover under the dash, r/s of column. Get an obd1 basic scanner, Actron is one.

My LeSabre is a 1990 model; does that make a difference? Some years ago someone used a paperclip to find a fault but I cannot tell youany connection point. how he did it. It was somewhere under the dash near the center. Can youbut I cannot find be more precise as to the location and appearance of the plug in of the fault detector? I have spent some time looking .

Thank you,
Dieter

[dieter]

Pitting together the bits of information, found how the wires connect to the vss and I wiggled them at the connection at the transmission output on the right side on a hunch. It worked!

Thanks