Speedometer doesn't work and more

Headlights to tailights and everything in between.

Moderators: Helpinators, Moderators

Post Reply
TurboBeater
First Gear
Posts: 64
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2007 7:18 pm
Location: Vancouver, BC

Speedometer doesn't work and more

Post by TurboBeater »

Trying to figure out a non-working speedometer on my 92 Turbo.

Subaru's VSS system seems wacky to me. There are 2 VSS sensors one cable driven and one electrical? The cable one goes straight into the gauge cluster, so this is the one I should be looking at right? Does anyone know what are the typical problems I should be looking for? I already made sure the cable plugs into the cluster tightly (it was a bit loose before).

I also have shifting problems, AWD doesn't work, ABS light is on. Could these all be related to the VSS?
Legacy777
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 27928
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 11:37 am
Location: Houston, Tx
Contact:

Post by Legacy777 »

I'm going to guess you have an automatic.

The base piece that connects the cable to the trans is a common failure point.

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8 ... lebase.jpg
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
TurboBeater
First Gear
Posts: 64
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2007 7:18 pm
Location: Vancouver, BC

Post by TurboBeater »

Well, think I found the problem. The threaded base in the transmission jammed and the piece in the middle won't rotate. Guess I'll have to buy a new one and probably a speedo gear too.
internetautomart
Second Gear
Posts: 376
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2005 4:05 pm
Location: chicago , IL , usa
Contact:

Post by internetautomart »

would this also be the potential source of my speedometer reading inaccurately?
94 BC w/ AWD Sold 6/25/08
92 BJ Rust bucket gone
90 BC (I think) Stripper, gone since 2k
86 GL10 Turbo 4wd, Gone since 99
BSOD2600
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1636
Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 6:49 am
Location: Seattle, WA

Post by BSOD2600 »

If the speedometer is slow to react or just slower than it should be in general, the cable should be greased. I was driving along the Interstate when my speedo cable broke... yea that was a lot of fun.

'11 WRX Limited
'94 SS | 3" TBE, 07 TMIC, TD05H-16G, Revtronix Stage 2, Walbro -- Sold
'94 TW | R.I.P.
internetautomart
Second Gear
Posts: 376
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2005 4:05 pm
Location: chicago , IL , usa
Contact:

Post by internetautomart »

actually I read about 10-15 mph too fast.
94 BC w/ AWD Sold 6/25/08
92 BJ Rust bucket gone
90 BC (I think) Stripper, gone since 2k
86 GL10 Turbo 4wd, Gone since 99
Legacy777
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 27928
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 11:37 am
Location: Houston, Tx
Contact:

Post by Legacy777 »

No....these wouldn't really cause your speedo to read fast if you're driving at a steady speed.

What size tires do you have on the car?
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
internetautomart
Second Gear
Posts: 376
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2005 4:05 pm
Location: chicago , IL , usa
Contact:

Post by internetautomart »

185 70 14
stock size.
The odometer reads fine, it's just the speedo. that leads me to think I need to swap out the cluster :roll:
94 BC w/ AWD Sold 6/25/08
92 BJ Rust bucket gone
90 BC (I think) Stripper, gone since 2k
86 GL10 Turbo 4wd, Gone since 99
Legacy777
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 27928
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 11:37 am
Location: Houston, Tx
Contact:

Post by Legacy777 »

The odometer & speedo are being fed off the same input, and the speed sensor is in the combination meter (cluster).....so that's not going to change anything...
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
internetautomart
Second Gear
Posts: 376
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2005 4:05 pm
Location: chicago , IL , usa
Contact:

Post by internetautomart »

Legacy777 wrote:The odometer & speedo are being fed off the same input, and the speed sensor is in the combination meter (cluster).....so that's not going to change anything...
if the speedo and the odo receive the same input and only 1 is wrong then the input shouldn't be the issue, rather the issue is within the speedometer itself. that's my take on it now that I think about it a bit more and you have confirmed they both receive the same input. That make sense to anyone but me?
94 BC w/ AWD Sold 6/25/08
92 BJ Rust bucket gone
90 BC (I think) Stripper, gone since 2k
86 GL10 Turbo 4wd, Gone since 99
Legacy777
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 27928
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 11:37 am
Location: Houston, Tx
Contact:

Post by Legacy777 »

The odometer motor & speedo assembly are all driven off the same stepper motor & electronics. Changing out the speedo isn't going to do anything.

I think I have a diagram that shows that, but it looks like my servers went down due to a power outage. I'll have to check them when I get home, and post later.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
internetautomart
Second Gear
Posts: 376
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2005 4:05 pm
Location: chicago , IL , usa
Contact:

Post by internetautomart »

Legacy777 wrote:The odometer motor & speedo assembly are all driven off the same stepper motor & electronics. Changing out the speedo isn't going to do anything.

I think I have a diagram that shows that, but it looks like my servers went down due to a power outage. I'll have to check them when I get home, and post later.
I'd like to see that diagram. there must be some point where they diverge and that is where the problem lies.
I've got no other clues than to blame on something internal to the cluster at this point.
94 BC w/ AWD Sold 6/25/08
92 BJ Rust bucket gone
90 BC (I think) Stripper, gone since 2k
86 GL10 Turbo 4wd, Gone since 99
internetautomart
Second Gear
Posts: 376
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2005 4:05 pm
Location: chicago , IL , usa
Contact:

Post by internetautomart »

I guess you didn't get a chance to post them up yet :(
94 BC w/ AWD Sold 6/25/08
92 BJ Rust bucket gone
90 BC (I think) Stripper, gone since 2k
86 GL10 Turbo 4wd, Gone since 99
Legacy777
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 27928
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 11:37 am
Location: Houston, Tx
Contact:

Post by Legacy777 »

Hmmm I can't seem to find what I'm looking for.

I'll have to dig into the paper manuals when I get home. Shoot me an email to remind me. I'm heading out of town tomorrow until Friday, so hopefully I can find what I'm looking for.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
Post Reply