Lost my speedo/odo yesterday

[tbones]

Hi B4 folks,

I was out on my 97 passat sedan, and the speedometer called it quits while out on the hiway... all other gauges are working. where does the speedo get its input from... may its the culprit?

thanks in advance for your thoughts!

regards,
Steve

 

[Mongler98]

Had the same issue. There are a few things that cause this.
Buy the oem part for the speed sensor on the transmission. It's an easy part to change.
What I suggest you do first is see if it starts working sometimes off and on. If so, it's an electrical issue. I spent 10 shop hours trying to trace the issue. Ended up finding out from some hidden posts that the issue is the fuse block cluster under the dash. It can be pulled down easily and reach around and wiggle and push every fitting and connection in the rear of it . It's a pita but that was the issue for me and many others. A simple wire clip had worked it's way out enough but not enough to see the issue directly. Some have reported that it came out but eh. All the wires on your trans can be traced back to the ECU directly.
It's one of those 2 issues or a trans that is shredding its self. But you will get a code for a shift solenoid failure if that happens. I got that code as well and turned out to be the black/purple wire from the trans harness had broken.
Hope's this helps.

 

[Abacus]

I have a spare transmission speed sensor if you need one. I just scrapped 3 transmissions and two were still OK. They are plastic but do tend to last a long time. I would start there and look for chafed wires, but do you have another cluster to try? They are known to go bad from time to time.

 

[turbodieseldyke]

See if your cruise control still works. If it does, then your sensor is still good.

If the B4 wiring is same as the Jetta, then the VSS wires are located above the interior fuse/relay block, in a patch of blue wires all plugged into a blue junction block up near the alarm module. You can test the signal by turning Key On, then slowly rolling the car a few feet. A valid signal will alternate between 0v and 12v (or 5v?) 14 times per wheel revolution.

 

[Mongler98]

The only way that the cluster goes bad is from stripped gears.
You can test that easy with vcds. Go though readiness and test the gauges. They will move.
If you do not have vcds. You can test the stripped gear by rotating the speed sensor while running on a lift. Take the bolt off and rotate it a bit. This will move the needle a bit. But only if the wireing and the part is good.

 

[ToddA1]

^^^What....?

Clusters go bad from bad boards, bad caps, bad Elmos chips, bad stepper motors, etc.. I’ve experienced this with clusters from Passats and Jettas, and currently have clusters in need of boards.

Unfortunately, our “go to” guy has stepped down and nobody has replaced him, yet.

-Todd

 

[Mongler98]

Test with vcds. You can move it with that or by moving the speed sensor. That will tell you if the cluster is the issue or not. Most of the time, its not

 

[Abacus]

Actually, most of the time it is the cluster with B4 cars.

And this is a B4, I WOULD LOVE to have you post how to test the clusters via readiness on it. I'll wait.

 

[Mongler98]

Lol. I see. Well..... I used to want to change the world, but now I just want to leave the room with some dignity.

 

[tbones]

hi All,

Happy new year! (well, living here in DC area... I'll just be thankful I'm alive and still fixin' stuff!)

I have not played with THIS cars speed sensor yet... too many higher priorities, ( like my other vehicle... Sunny my 1Z-powered syncro Westy)) but I promise I'll update folks with what it was when I do get around to it!

The issue Sunny is having is similar, but I'll ask about that in a separate thread.

thanks again for al the ideas!

Regards,
Steve

 

[jhax]

hi All,

Happy new year! (well, living here in DC area... I'll just be thankful I'm alive and still fixin' stuff!)

I have not played with THIS cars speed sensor yet... too many higher priorities, ( like my other vehicle... Sunny my 1Z-powered syncro Westy)) but I promise I'll update folks with what it was when I do get around to it!

The issue Sunny is having is similar, but I'll ask about that in a separate thread.

thanks again for al the ideas!

Regards,
Steve

Any word on this issue yet?