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Speedometer doesn't work and more

Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 11:38 pm
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?

Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 12:31 am
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

Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 12:32 am
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.

Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 1:59 am
by internetautomart
would this also be the potential source of my speedometer reading inaccurately?

Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 6:32 am
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.

Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 3:11 pm
by internetautomart
actually I read about 10-15 mph too fast.

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 7:11 pm
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?

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 7:22 pm
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:

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 7:26 pm
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...

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 7:33 pm
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?

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 7:44 pm
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.

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 7:54 pm
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.

Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 5:58 pm
by internetautomart
I guess you didn't get a chance to post them up yet :(

Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 6:16 pm
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.