speed sensor help

[JLHollowX13]

i got a new (used) sensor for my svx, but it doesnt seem to work. is it just broken, or could i be doing something wrong? it went in easily, no problems, but my heart sank as my speedo stayed at 0 as i pulled down my driveway. if anyone can give me tips or things to try ill be willing to try most anything. its the sensor on the tranny, and im 100% sure this is the one thats broke. i got codes for that one from both the tcu and ecu. ill be (hopefully) getting another used one to try soon. if it doesnt work either ill have to go with a brand new one, which i really dont wanna have to do.

[Trevor]

There are two sensors. You may have replaced the wrong one.

My car is ex Japan, so is different from yours. Therefore you will have to hope someone else comes in and advisers you exactly where each of yours is situated. Take heart, you do not have a major problem on your hands.

[YourConfused]

From what I have read here and seen on my 92, there are 2 vss's. Both of which are on the trans. One by the front diff and the other at the rear of the trans.
I am not 100% on this, but I believe the one at the front is the one that will give you some speedo action.
You didn't say what codes you are getting btw.

[TomsSVX]

yes the front sensor gives you speedo action... There are two ways to get a code for the speed sensor and the speedo not working....

1. Your sensor is bad (which is actually very common)

2. Your speed sensor pick-up inside the front diff has seized and broken (Not all that uncommon and definately NOT something I like to see happen)

The way to troubleshoot # 2 is to remove the speed sensor from its hole. Take a large flat blade screwdriver and insert it into the slot that the speed sensor driver goes into. LIGHTLY(make note not to use a lot of pressure here) try to turn the drive inside the front diff. If you can turn it, your small plastic gears inside have worn down or broken off. This really sucks because you need to remove the front differential from the housing to get to it. So, start with troubleshooting it first and get back to us

Tom

[JLHollowX13]

ill try the screwdriver trick today. i didnt post the codes because i know its the sensor on the differential, im getting both codes for it from my tcu and ecu (34). hopefully i just got a bad sensor, as it was used and could possibly be the problem. thanks for the help, hopefully i dont have to get at the differential, that would really suck.

[JLHollowX13]

i tried the screwdriver trick. the pick-up spun a little and then caught, does this mean its done? how much am i looking at in repairs? and how hard is it to do if i do it myself? how much are the parts and where can i get them? the speed sensor i just bought is being shipped back and its gonna get tested for me to confirm that it doesnt work. any help with this is appreciated so thanks.

[TomsSVX]

subaruparts.com is your friend

Tom

[JLHollowX13]

i wanted to update on some stuff too that might narrow the problem. when i first got my car the speedo would work every once in a while, just jumping maybe once a day for a few seconds, and my check engine light was not always on. now my check engine light is constantly on and the speedo hasnt jumped at all. the whole reason im worried about it is because my awd isnt working and i want to get it fixed. it did work before though (when my speedo worked intermittently.) i also think i posted the wrong codes, it is the code for the vss on the front diff. last thing, will i have to drop the tranny to get at the differential? or can it be removed with the tranny still in the car? if its affordable to have someone else do it and the parts are fairly cheap ill go that route, but i dont have lots of money. thanks again.
Edit
ive looked at subaruparts.com, but im not sure what parts i would be needing to get. also, am i only needing parts for the diff, or the transfer case also? any help on pointing out which parts i need to get and such, or even part #s if someone has them would be much appreciated. i want to take care of this car and get her up to speed on everything she needs. she is definitely a keeper!

[TomsSVX]

The trans must come out

The front diff needs to come off the trans and be disassembled. The plastic gears probably stripped out so they will need to be replaced. Also check to make sure the drive shaft for the speedo is not seized or too tight to turn easily.

Tom

[JLHollowX13]

would i just be better off doing an entire tranny swap? i really dont have a way to pull the tranny so i would have to take it in, and i have no idea how much that would cost me. i want to go the cheapest route, and my trans isnt bad, but if buying a trans and paying to have it put in would be cheaper then i would do that. i guess ill have to call some local shops and see how much it would be for them to do the labor, since i can get the parts.
also, can anyone give me a rough estimate on how much i can be looking at? the guy i bought my svx from may help me out if i talk to him since he has a spot in a european garage. i just dont know if i can do it without jacking my car up on a shop type jack. i just want to know what some of you think about how much it could cost because i know when i call the shops they are gonna be like, whats an svx? and itll be hard to explain exactly what needs to be done to it. i dont really have the funds for any surprises if you know what i mean. i would rather do it all myself, but time and means are limited. i have practically every tool needed, a pretty good variety of tools available, but like i said, no shop jack and idk if just using a plain floor jack will be enough. i just want to know how much i can be looking at before i waste time calling around and trying to explain what i need.

[TomsSVX]

Yeah, that may be the cheapest option

Tom

[JLHollowX13]

ok thanks, well maybe since i have to drop the trans anyway ill try it on my own, if i cant do it ill just replace the entire trans and just get a 4.44. itll be cheaper if i take the trans out anyway, just get it towed to the shop i guess.

[JLHollowX13]

so the two sensors i had got tested, and the verdict is, they both are perfectly fine. i do have another problem somewhere and im still hoping its not my differential. ill be running some tests as soon as i get the working sensor back. too bad it just wasnt the sensors, oh well, nothing i can do about it but find out the exact problem and fix it.

[Trevor]

Originally Posted by JLHollowX13

i tried the screwdriver trick. the pick-up spun a little and then caught, does this mean its done?
.

It would appear that your test was inconclusive and the drive could be your problem rather than a sensor as such. I suggest that you again visit this issue.

[JLHollowX13]

i was just wondering, if it ends up being my differential, is it hurting anything to drive it how it is? i dont really have the time/money/resources to fix it now so id have to wait until summer. can i damage anything by doing this? i suspect i really cant, but i may be wrong, which is why im asking, theres lots of people that know more about it then me. so thanks, i just dont wanna mess anything up.