What's the average life of a VSS? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

brink · 10-19-2003, 10:39 PM

I suddenly got no speedometer. The VSS wire is plugged into the vehicle speed sensor fine, and the "gauge" fuse is still good. I haven't taken a voltmeter to the line yet to check for continuity so I guess that could be a problem. Anyway, I was just wondering what the lifetime of the actual sensor mechanism is, since it seems rather early for it to die (only 48,000 miles).

Also, and this may be a dumb question, but would no speedo cause my motor to eventually throw a CEL? I drove around probably 20 miles (guessing, no odometer anymore either) before the MIL came on. Unplugged the battery and it went away. If it comes on again I'll grab the code.

Anyone have any insight?

brink · 10-20-2003, 02:15 PM

Anyone? I know a number of you have had speedometer problems. What was your resolution? It's not a cable issue, cause my car doesn't have one. It's electronic.

brink · 10-25-2003, 09:17 AM

To answer my own question and for the benefit of others who happen to hit this thread through search, the problem appeared to be the plug that connects to the VSS. It was a little fouled with oil as well as a little loose.

I wiped up some of the crap that was inside the plug with a shop towel, then on the plug (wire, not sensor) I lightly squeezed the contacts so they grip a little better.

CEL was indeed caused by the speedo (toyota tech said it was code p500 VSS failure), but apparently it's not a permanent code, because after a couple times starting and driving the car with the speedo fixed, it went away.