I was driving the other day when the speedometer dropped to 0

CUJO0123

MEMBER
1998 HONDA CIVIC
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
197,180 MILES

Hi. Thanks in advance for your response. I was driving the other day when the speedometer dropped to 0. After that it would stay at 20mph stopped (going to 0 when the car is turned off). When I start to move the car the needle flutters between 20-23mph till I get to roughly 30mph and then it sits still on 20mph. When I slow down below to about 30mph it flutters again till I stop the car. Then I noticed when the speedometer is not working the odometer and trip odometer doesn't work. But when the speedometer is working it works fine. What could be the cause?

1 Reply

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

Hello,

It sounds like an issue with the vehicle speed sensor (VSS).
The VSS is located on top of the transmission hosing (see diagram below).
It sends information about the rotation of the transmission shaft to the ECM and that gets translated to the speed at the gauge.
First make sure that the sensor is secured, and the connector is connected properly and clear of any corrosion or debris.

This sensor can also be tested. I have included the testing procedure below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

Please let me know of any questions.
Thank you.

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