Honda Civic DX '96 speed sensor problem
Leo Fegaras
ago, the speedometer needle started jumping up and down and the
check-engine light turned on. When my car is still, the needle jumps
around 20 mph, and when is moving, it jumps around 60 mph. Also the
headlights and dashlights are flickering a bit. I checked the fuses
few days ago and it turns out that the fuse #15 (alternator and speed
sensor) was blown. When I replaced it, the speedometer was working
properly when the car was still, but blew the fuse again when I
moved my car. This happened 3 times. My mechanic did a diagnostic and
said that there is no problem with the alternator and voltage
regulator and there must be a short-circuit some place. They asked for
$300 for a complete checkout of the wirings, which I am unwilling to
pay. I checked the charging system myself, and found that the
alternator charges the battery without a problem (12.5V ignition off,
14V on). Also I have already driven more than 300 miles since then.
(I notice a degradation of performance: 25 mpg, instead of 35 mpg, but
the car still runs.)
So I tend to believe that the speed sensor is faulty. Is this correct?
How can I check this? Is it possible for a non-mechanic like me to
replace it in my own home garage? I heard that the speed sensor is
attached to the transmission. Where exactly? I couldn't check the
check-engine trouble code yet. Can anyone tell me how to do this for
this particular model? (I tried to find the service check connector
under the glove compartment, but there are 3 big connectors and I
don't know on which one to put a jumper).
Thank you for your help.
Leo Fegaras
Randolph
> How can I check this? Is it possible for a non-mechanic like me to
> replace it in my own home garage? I heard that the speed sensor is
> attached to the transmission. Where exactly?
It is on the differential, which is part of the transmission. It could
be that the VSS is broken, but could also be a short in wiring to it.
Are you running with a blown fuse #15, or did the last one you put in
last? You could try disconnecting the wires to the VSS at the
differential and see if it still blows fuses. If it does, you have a
witing problem, if not the VSS is probably bad.
> I couldn't check the
> check-engine trouble code yet. Can anyone tell me how to do this for
> this particular model? (I tried to find the service check connector
> under the glove compartment, but there are 3 big connectors and I
> don't know on which one to put a jumper).
The service connector is behind the carpet on the right side of the
passenger footwell. Send me an e-mail at bho...@yahoo.com if you want
scans from the service manual.
Leo Fegaras
From the service bulletins for civic'96:
http://www.alldata.tsb.com/TSB/24/96241689.html
I found the following:
35. 99-029 APR 99 Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) ON With Blow Fuse 15
I downloaded the instructions from:
http://www.hondalac.com/service/Bulletins/x99-029e.pdf
and I fixed it.
Thank you for your help,
Leo