Probable VSS Problem

[David Mueller]

Recently I have been having some problems with my 93 ATX:
1. When starting from stop, car revs then abrubtly shifts into gear.
2. When driving around 25-35mph, if I try to accelerate hard it will not always shift down into gear but rather rev up.
3. When traveling down the highway the car will sometimes shift out of OD then later go back into OD, really random..
4. It takes me about 4-6 tries to get the cruise control to work.
5. The steering is just weird...just not quite right.

Okay, so many of you are probably thinking VSS automatically, and I am too after reading all the other posts I can find with a similar topic. However I am not to fond of allocating 8 hours of my day to replace this part if the success of replacement is not good. What I am asking is, those people out there who have had similar problems and replaced the VSS; did it help, and any other advise you might have out there.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

1st step is to read your codes (links with instructions are in my signature). If you find a VSS code, then you'll probably know the answer.

 

[David Mueller]

I forgot to mention that part...the codes read as follows...

KOEO -> 111, now that is nice to see
KOER -> 111, I ran it twice to make sure...

now I really don't know what is going on?

<small>[ March 17, 2003, 10:11 PM: Message edited by: David Mueller ]</small>

 

[ShoGuy93]

You got the semptoms of the vss right on the nose. That all sounds about right. Besdies your codes that were thrown. I don't know what they are. But from what you have explaned it sounds like your vss is going out......

 

[gas it]

Ask a transmission shop to install the VSS, it's like an SLO so they should know how to do it.

 

[projectSHO89]

The "codes" you posted were the equivalent of "All Tests Go" or "No Faults Found"

Steve

 

[Underdog]

The VSS system for lack of a better term sucks.

The computer will not indicate a code for the VSS until it doesn't receive any signal from it. This means that if your VSS is providing an innacurate signal (99% of all vss failures) that the computer will think nothing is wrong.

This makes diagnosis of the problem extremely difficult. Your problems seem to point to the VSS 100%, especially the unpredictable VAPS and the engagement and disengagement of OD.

FWIW, the VSS is not a difficult part to replace. You just need to take your time and be patient. I've got it down to about a 45 minute science now.

 

[David Mueller]

Thanks for you help, another notable thing is that this morning when I went out the car acted fine until it got warm, very much a VSS problamatic feature. I bought a new one and will be trying to replace the part soon. Question: do I really need to take a part my Y-Pipe? I guess even if I do it won't be a big deal...I purchased the SS Y-Pipe which was shiped as 5 or 6 different pieces so if I have to I am lucky because I only have to take apart the rear part of the Y-Pipe. Wish me luck...

 

[Underdog]

No you don't have to remove the Y Pipe. (It can be done with access from the right wheel well) However, if you have the 5 piece Y pipe I am assuming you haven't had it that long and wil be easier to remove. Removing it does make the job easier.

Good luck.

 

[David Mueller]

Underdog:
No you don't have to remove the Y Pipe. (It can be done with access from the right wheel well) However, if you have the 5 piece Y pipe I am assuming you haven't had it that long and wil be easier to remove. Removing it does make the job easier.

Good luck.

To Underdog: Well I do think that I will try the wheel well first. How do I remove the heat sheild? And do you remember any of the sizes of the nuts, and any other tips and suggestions