[Shotimes] 94 ATX Vehicle Speed Sensor

[Kevin & Cheryl Airth]

Ryan:
 Get ready for some pain!! I have changed 2 and would not wish it on my
worse enemy. I have done the heater core and removed the ATX but rate this a
much more frustrating task! Two ways to get at it. Underneath or lay on top
of the engine and reach down. It only has one bolt but it's just so hard to
get to. The smaller your hands the better and plan on bleeding before you
are done. If you get a shop to do it be sure and inspect it afterwards. It
is mandatory to reinstall the aluminum heat shield PROPERLY or the exhaust
will fry the VSS in short order. I do not have a lift and that may allow
somewhat better access from below.

 Don't drive the car with a bad VSS it can and will take out the ATX.

With the speedo acting up, it sound more like a cable or mechanical problem
rather then the VSS. The speedo and the VSS are just mechanically driven by
the cable so if the speedo is erratic the cable is binding or even possibly
broken. Maybe the plastic gear is damaged? I would pull the entire VSS and
speedo cable/gear out of the transmission and have a look see. Has the
transmission ever been removed from the car? Do you have the exact code from
the car?
.
.



> I searched through the SHOtimes site but didn't find a walkthrough on what
> I'll need to know to change the VSS on Tara's 94 ATX.  Any help is greatly
> appreciated.  Car recently began having an erratic speedo, and in the past
two
> days seems to have forgotten how and when to shift while slowing down
until it
> gets to the point that it clunks back down into first gear right before
> stopping.  IIRC, these are all signs of the VSS giving up the ghost and it
is
> showing a code for Vehicle Speed Sensor as well.  Any other thoughts?  I
just
> need this tranny to make it until I get the 98 back on the road.  Really
> should get rid of the ATXs :o)  Thanks folks!
>
> Ryan Dudek
> 98 Black (dead ATX)
> 94 Opal Frost ATX (dying ATX)