Speed Sensor for 1999 Camry 4S-FE - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

lemmyb · 03-10-2009, 09:32 AM

Hi guys, I have a 1999 Toyota Camry that was imported from Japan 2 years ago. (Engine 4S-FE, manual transmission). The speedometer and odometer suddenly stopped working. I sent the vehicle for diagnostics and it read "speed sensor error". I thought the speedo sensor would be on the gearbox, but it is not there. Instead, the hole where the speedo would ordinarily be is sealed by a plug. I got our mechanic to look for it but there is no other sensor anywhere on the gearbox. We checked all fuses, and they appear to be fine, none is blown.

My question is, where else does Toyota put the speed sensor? And what else would cause this problem?

Regards
Lemmyb
Harare, Zimbabwe

Manny1337 · 03-10-2009, 12:54 PM

maybe the cluster itself shit the bed?

frenum49 · 03-10-2009, 06:34 PM

I could be wrong here but if the speed sensor hole is sealed then the speedo/odo is probably cable driven. I did not think that there were many cable driven speedos around for the 99 model year for any manufacturer. However I would expect the unexpected since your Cam is JDM. Most speed sensors will read off of the flywheel on automatics. Since yours is a manual the sensor should be near one of the output shafts or not far from it. If the speedo is cable driven then you should be able to see the cable and where it plugs into the gearbox. Another possibility is that the speedo/odo on your Cam reads from the WHEEL speed sensors. However, this is unusual. Is your ABS light on? The speed sensor code could be referring to a wheel speed sensor. If this is the case and your speedo/odo rely on your WHEEL speed sensors, the information is processed in the body control module. Confused? If your mechanic could not find the problem, its time to find a new mechanic.

lemmyb · 03-13-2009, 04:01 AM

Thanks guys.

Frenum49: Interesting that you should mention the ABS light. The light has been on for sometime, however, the speedometer was working fine even with the ABS light on. (The ABS sensors were damaged after an electrical problem on the vehicle that resulted in having to replace the alternator). I intend to change the ABS sensors once i find them - its a bit difficult to find such parts here in Zimbabwe, have to import them. Would the ABS sensors also double up as speed sensors?

Regards
Lemmyb