Signs of a bad VSS(Vehicle Speed Sensor)

[SHO2NV]

I just thought I'd share my findings with everyone. I thought for sure I was about to need a rebuild but thankfully it turned out to be the VSS. When the car was cold it had no problems shifting up or down, it pulled very strong, but when it got up to operating temperature here's what it did:

Accelerating: When taking off from a dead stop it would shift prematurely, first would grab ok but it would immediately shift to drive even at WOT.

Accelerating at speed: Driving at normal speeds if I would try to go WOT it would accelerate very slowly, not shifting down into the passing gear. Also, the cruise control would not work.

Stopping: When coming to a stop it would downshift very hard, I believe it going from OD straight to 1st.

I hope this helps, when I asked about this here last summer all anyone had to say was I need a rebuild, but luckily, after having Chuck check it out I found out I was going to get off ALOT cheaper.

<small>[ April 24, 2002, 11:39 PM: Message edited by: SHO2NV ]</small>

 

[Slo-Sho]

How much and what did it take to R&R?

 

[Prophet78]

I think that is my problem except I don't think it is bad. I am only experiencing the last symptom. I may have a connection problem. DOn't know need to have Chucky look at it.

Do you think he will take care of my car while I am in the Caribean? (Spelling?) Do a break job, and look her over for me?

-Jeremy-

 

[naval-avi8or]

Since the power steering ir regulated by thr VSS I would think you would be experinancing power stering failure as well.

 

[Shoman94]

naval-avi8or:
Since the power steering ir regulated by thr VSS I would think you would be experinancing power stering failure as well.

I think cruise control wouldn't work to well either.

Jason

 

[sho 'nuff]

Yup...I've had that happen to me, twice now. 2 VSS's, and 3 transmissions. But I think one my of my problems involved peeling out around corners, which I don't do at all anymore. shoot

 

[naval-avi8or]

So what myself and Shoman94 are tryng to say is you need to get you trabby serviced. May be as simple as dirty filter, bad/old trans fluid or a shift soliniod. To many other sytems use the VSS for it to be bad and not affecting anything but your Tranny.

 

[Mike Kopstain]

To many other sytems use the VSS for it to be bad and not affecting anything but your Tranny.

That's not 100% true. It is very common for people just to experience a harsh downshift and no other symptoms. The tranny relies on it more than anything else and is very sensitive to any change.

If you are having harsh downshifts this is where to look first.

 

[Jrat1634]

So what myself and Shoman94 are tryng to say is you need to get you trabby serviced. May be as simple as dirty filter, bad/old trans fluid or a shift soliniod. To many other sytems use the VSS for it to be bad and not affecting anything but your Tranny.

I have a 96' SHO, V-8 DOHC. When it reaches operating temperature is starts to shift hard, mostly between 2nd and 3rd gear, the engine gets hot slowly but never overheats, smells like engine not radiator. Anyway it will eventually get to where it wont shift out of 3rd gear and up and down shifts very hard while at idle speeds, then will stay that way until the core temp has went back to normal.
Any suggestions? One friend says Trans filter and shift module, no idea which one, others say rebuild, please help.