My check engine light is on and when I went to AutoZone to have it coded,vehicle speed sensor came up.I have a 1996 Max and sometime while driving the speedometer just drops down to 0mph but 30 seconds later it up and running again.I called the deal to order one but they told me that nissan stop putting speed sensor on in 1994.Can someone let me know if this is true and what could cause my speedometer to do this.Thanks in advance.

 

I imagine you may get more help if you post this in fourth gen rather than the local forum.

 

Did they give you a code #, if so get that then order based on the code.

 

Thanks for your respnds.Now I just need to see how to move this thread to the 4th Gen site.Thanks again.

 

You can't but a moderator can.

 

Is there anyone with experience in this repair who can comment on it's level of difficulty? Easy, moderate, or take it to a shop?

 

The VSS just sits on the tranny housing - should be easy to swap out.

 

If your cruise control works a new gauge cluster is what you need, if you don't have cruise a speed sensor is the right part. Usually it is the cluster, how many miles do you have? You can roll foward not back, consider that when buying one. Easiest way is to find one with the same or a little more mileage then you have and switch. It takes patience but the whole dash comes apart pretty much, not hard though, just time consuming. In the stickies somewhere.

 

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

 

what the hell were they talking about.......not on since 94????

 

The speed sensor is on the transmission. If you are auto there are two sensors. You want the one on the output shaft. Should be on the top rear of the tranny. If you are manual there is only one sensor. Good luck, ask for a different parts guy or call another dealer.

 

I've had the VSS code for about 6 months now...the only thing that is affected is cruise control. Now instead of accelerating while having the cruise set, and then resetting the cruise at a higher speed, I have to press cancel and then do it. Not much of inconvenience if you ask me, especially not for the $180 sensor.
On a side note, I got a ride to a party on Saturday in my friend's 99 A4 1.8T, and his speedo is effed up, so the speed would never go down - it would just keep increasing. Pretty funny when you're cruising in third a 3k rpms and doing just over 100 mph according the speedo.

 

speed sensor is on the tranni as stated above....its an easy fix.

 

Well my speedo just suddenly died last week and then Sunday tried to spring to life for a minute then bit it again. I checked and the cruise is completely dead too so it looks like it may be time for the sensor replacement. While I wholeheartedly endorse resurrected parts for the salvage yard, I'm guessing that I should just go ahead and buy a new OEM part instead of try to be cheap about this one.

EDIT: Yes, it's easy to get to if you lift the car up on stands. I did this and found out the overpriced "professional" grease monkey taht I paid a lot of money to swap my engine simply neglected to put in the one bolt that holds it in place. And one af my tranny pan bolts. And one of the rear valve cover bolts. Quality workmanshp seems to be a fantasy these days.