91 Sunbird LE speedometer not working

T

Toolman_Tom

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The speedometer on my daughter's 91 Sunbird LE convertible stopped working. It's got the 3.1L V6 automatic in it. All the other gauges appear to be working just fine. I've done some research on it but haven't found a whole lot. It seems that it has a speed sensor on the transaxle that sends a signal to the gauge or is that for the cruise control. I'm not exactly sure what that thing does or exactly where it's located. Not sure how to test the speedometer to see if it's working either.
 
The speedometer is probably fine, the most likely cause is either a bad connection to the VSS ( Vehicle speed Sensor ) or a bad sensor.

However if the speed sensor is not working normally it will trigger a MIL ( malfunction indicator light ) If the MIL was on prior to the speedometer quitting working your daughter wouldn't have noticed a new light appear.

So I have to ask is the MIL on? if so take it to AutoZone and get the codes read and write them down and post them here.

If you have a code for the Speed sensor you will need to check the electrical connection at the sensor.

If it is good you could follow the diagnostic chart in a factory service manual for the trouble code or codes you have.

Or you can just buy a new part at about $140.00 from Napa or possibly less elsewhere, and hope it fixes your problem.

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...Vehicle-Speed-Sensor/_/R-ECHVSS209_0161695757

There is a difference if the car has a manual transaxle the one I showed you is for the Automatic.
 

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Autozone cannt read codes prior to 95 and 95 can be iffy.
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Well guys, I took a sensor off another car....no dice. The speedometer just kinda jumps around 5mph and under. The wiring to the sensor looked good, no obvious breaks in it. It wasn't touching anything metallic to short out. I guess I'm going to have to check the instrument cluster plug. I guess I'm looking for broken contacts, loose or broken wires, right?
 
http://www.v6z24.com/jbodyforum/cra...sh-swap-t116055,highlight,analog+digital.html

Tom, this has some pics of the plug (C 1) even though its a different model with 2 plugs , just make sure the plug terminals are clean and shiny and the back of the cluster where it plugs into also.

Mine were copper so they will corrode worse than the brass ones shown. if the back of the cluster is falling apart (plastic over copper strips) it might be time for a new cluster.

Doug in P.R.:cool:
 
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