Hey all. Just a confirmation before I drop $300.

The speedometer on my 94 4runner goes out intermittently. Usually when first starting it won't wwork at all for at least 20 minutes then it spits in and out for the remainder of the time.

The transmission slips out of gear (drops from 3rd to 2nd)occasionally and the car needs to be restarted to get it to work again. From what we can tell it rarely slips while the speedo is working.

I got a code of 42 when I took it to the shop. I believe that is the Vehicle speed sensor (VSS) located on the transfer case on the front of the car. The $300 one. I wanted to make sure this was the one to replace and NOT the transmission speed sensor which is much, much cheaper.

Any input?

 

That's the one......on the transfer case. I'll be making some replies in boogieboarders thread on the speed sensor, if you're interested.

 

OK, I've looked over all of the info. Thanks so much for the archival research. What I'm not sure of is if on a code:42 I shopuld be checking the cluster sensor first or whether with my particular issue is is surely the transfer case sensor.

Given I'm not a mechanic and do not have a shop, how do you test the cluster terminals to assure continuity 4 times per speedometer revolution?

 

Not sure on that. Never had to do it. But, the procedure's in the FSM online. I'll post this link for you to search through. If you simply can't find the needed procedure, though, I'll help you find it.

http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b...autotrans.html

I will say your symptoms point to the sensor on the t-case. Why not test it first, anyway? It's much easier to do.

 

Could this sensor be the culprit for my car dying while on the road? It just stop running while doing 40mph and will not start. Gonna check the common possibilities but could this be a factor?

 

THook and I have had this discussion: the procedure in the FSM for testing the Speed Sensor is, I believe, for the Pickups that have a speedo cable. I assume you've got the electronic sensor on the transfer case, and NO cable.

When you have a cable, the sensor is just a reed relay in the instrument cluster. An ohmmeter can check it; it is just a switch, open or closed.

The unit on your truck is a 3-terminal device, and I don't believe that it can be checked with an ohmmeter (I haven't convinced Thook). When I had this problem, I checked in the other direction by simulating the sensor output to see if the speedo worked; that told me that the sensor had to be bad.

But your symptoms are very similar to mine. I didn't have the engine effects, but I had a speedo that would occasionally drop to zero, then pop back up. When it dropped, it took out the cruise control too. A new sensor fixed it.

 

Nope....not convinced, yet....hehehe.

When my speed sensor was bad, it didn't cause the vehicle to stall. It just had problems accelerating and shifting. As well, speedo, odo, trip meter, and CC didn't work. It could be a factor in your case, though. Maybe you're flooding out or something....I don't know. I'd have to do more research on my part to find out what all the VSS affects. Remind me, please.......do you have an automatic?

 

Yeah, it's an automatic. After analysis today I'm convinced this is other than a VSS issue. In fact, I'm leaning more toward the ECM.

 

Okay. So, what makes you think it's the ECM?

 

Apologies, my threads are becoming convoluted and probably confusing. The VSS is the reason for the problem with the speedo and trans issue as far as I'm concerned.

I had started commenting in this thread about the car dying and the vss possibly being part of the problem. I now feel it isn't and am using a separate thread regarding the car dying incident. Make sense?

So for this thread, in answer to your question, it's an automatic.

 

Yeah, I had just noticed your other thread. Thanks.

Speedo = VSS.

 

Speedo=VSS?

 

Lol......yeah, speedometer. Vehicle speed sensor controls it. If the speedo's not working, it's usually the sensor.

And, you probably thought speedo = very super sexy??? I guess I could see you in a speedo.

 

Only a Tuxspeedo my friend.

I thought you meant the Speedo was the same as the VSS.....so I was confused.

 

I had the same symptoms described above... In my case, the problem was in the connector, the prongs had actually rusted off the sensor, and into the connector.

 

Ooo-la-la! Classy! Swank, swank, sauve.....!!!!!! What do you do for a lapel pin, though?

Wait.....don't answer that.....

I figured that's what you were confused about. I'll try harder to confuse you more often....

 

Having the same problem so bump

 

Yeah....bump...

Do you know how to read, man? If you're having the same problem, then the suggestions have already been made. Follow them.

 

reading? Wait, that requires comprehension skill.

 

Bahahahahahaha!!!!!











Oh yeah.....right.


Swing loooowww........sweet banhammeeeerrrrr!