Is there a speed sensor on the transmission?
The vehicle speed sensor (VSS) is also commonly referred to as a transmission speed sensor or output shaft speed sensor. It is a small device—typically mounted somewhere on the transmission—that determines how fast your vehicle is going by measuring the rotation of a toothed wheel on a shaft inside the transmission.
Can you clean a transmission speed sensor?
Speed sensors are part of a vehicle’s anti-lock braking system (ABS). The various components of the speed sensors can gather dirt from the road and from the dust that is generated by constant sharp braking. Speed sensors need to be cleaned on a regular basis to avoid damaging the anti-lock braking system.
What is the name of the transmission speed sensor?
There are generally two speed sensors that work in conjunction to provide accurate transmission data to the vehicle’s powertrain control module. The first is known as the input shaft speed (ISS) sensor. As described, this sensor is used to monitor the speed of the transmission’s input shaft. The other sensor is the output shaft speed (OSS) sensor.
What happens if the transmission speed sensor is not working?
If those sensors aren’t working properly, the transmission may shift roughly or sluggishly, cruise control may not work, or the speedometer may malfunction. Diagnosing a faulty transmission speed sensor is pretty straightforward, as is replacing it, but to diagnose a problem fully, you’ll need to be comfortable using a multimeter to check voltage.
What does a fluctuating transmission speedometer mean?
A fluctuating speedometer may be a sign of a faulty transmission sensor. If you have a truck or SUV with enough ground clearance, you won’t need to jack up your car.
What happens if the speedometer does not register?
If you operate a vehicle and the speedometer does not register anything, or if the speedometer begins to move after the vehicle is in motion, then the transmission speed sensor has failed. If the magnet comes off the speed sensor, it will lodge itself into the transmission making a grinding noise.