Speedometer Sporadic & D4 Light Blinking - is this a VSS issue?

ericxv · 10-14-12, 01:03 AM

'94 Acura Legend LS with rebuilt JDM engine / original transmission (170k+ miles).

About two weeks ago while driving, I noticed my speedometer drop to zero, then back to normal speed. It did this maybe two or three more times the past two weeks. It did it again this evening but now the D4 light on the dash is blinking. The car seemed to be running and shifting rough during this time.

The temperature, trans fluid, coolant and reservoir levels are all fine. After reading a few forum posts, it sounds like the VSS needs to be replaced.

Can anyone offer an opinion?

Thanks,

Eric

L3GDKANG/JDMKANG · 10-14-12, 10:46 AM

Vss is more then likely your problem but some times it can be in the ecu wiring as well.

4HondaOwner · 10-14-12, 11:19 AM

I agree with Willy. VSS electronic component fix. I've had the problem myself. Most of us have had this issue come up at some point in time. About $100 part. I've never pulled one for a junkyard car...

ericxv · 10-14-12, 02:06 PM

Thanks for the advice. I can't do the repair myself, but will take it to my mechanic and hopefully point them in the right direction. Hopefully, I get a fair price.

Eric

NYTAHOE · 10-14-12, 06:02 PM

Actually you can, especially if you have wrenched on your ride before. Most of us that have done this before can supply instructions on how to.

ari_one · 10-14-12, 09:18 PM

Don't guess, pull the code for the D4 light blinking!! The reason the light blinks is to tell you there is a problem and that there is a code stored to tell you exactly what the problem is.

ericxv · 10-14-12, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ari_one

Don't guess, pull the code for the D4 light blinking!! The reason the light blinks is to tell you there is a problem and that there is a code stored to tell you exactly what the problem is.

The D4 is not longer blinking today. Is the code stored so it can be pulled?

Thanks,

Eric

ari_one · 10-15-12, 03:24 PM

It should be stored.

ericxv · 10-16-12, 03:02 PM

The mechanic pulled the code today and it is the VSS. They quoted me $147 for the OEM part and $100 labor. I wish I could have done the work myself, but I don't have the equipment to do so. I'm glad the problem will be resolved.

Thanks for everyone's advice!

Eric

4HondaOwner · 10-16-12, 03:14 PM

If you have junkyards close to you Eric, now would be a good time to find some Legends in them and learn as you go out there.

I was scared to death about many things related to my car until I learned from one of the best down in Florida. Now I have a mini-stockpile of parts for my car in my garage.

I bought my replacement VSS for less than $100. My then mechanic put it in for me for free. At the time my back was acting up and I wanted no part of doing the job myself...

ericxv · 10-16-12, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4HondaOwner

If you have junkyards close to you Eric, now would be a good time to find some Legends in them and learn as you go out there.

I was scared to death about many things related to my car until I learned from one of the best down in Florida. Now I have a mini-stockpile of parts for my car in my garage.

I bought my replacement VSS for less than $100. My then mechanic put it in for me for free. At the time my back was acting up and I wanted no part of doing the job myself...

Thanks for the advice! I may have to visit some junkyards. I'm okay with working on/above the car, but am not crazy about jacking up the car and working underneath it.

Thanks again,

Eric

Shalashaska016 · 01-04-13, 04:28 PM

I was reading through the conversations that you two were having and I see that I have the same issues going on with my 91 KA7. I'm a loaner of the vehicle and the origenal didn't take care of it. I wanted to know if either of you two know how to fix the VSS exactly and if it invloved me taking out the Transmission of the vehicle. Legend is in amazing shape for about 400,000+ miles Id say but everyone has warned me about doing anything to the tranny because it'd freeze up.

Shalashaska016 · 01-04-13, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4HondaOwner

If you have junkyards close to you Eric, now would be a good time to find some Legends in them and learn as you go out there.

I was scared to death about many things related to my car until I learned from one of the best down in Florida. Now I have a mini-stockpile of parts for my car in my garage.

I bought my replacement VSS for less than $100. My then mechanic put it in for me for free. At the time my back was acting up and I wanted no part of doing the job myself...

I was reading through the conversations that you two were having and I see that I have the same issues going on with my 91 KA7. I'm a loaner of the vehicle and the origenal didn't take care of it. I wanted to know if either of you two know how to fix the VSS exactly and if it invloved me taking out the Transmission of the vehicle. Legend is in amazing shape for about 400,000+ miles Id say but everyone has warned me about doing anything to the tranny because it'd freeze up. I travel with family so I know a few junk yards out of town where there is a Legend graveyard so it shouldn't be too hard for me to find the parts so long as the Trans doesn't has to be messed with.

ari_one · 01-04-13, 09:03 PM

There is a "fix" kit available from the dealer for under $100 (available via eBay at a good price). The instructions to replace are here: VSS (posted by lady6speed).

No transmission removal required, just the plastic splash shield for easier access. And whoever has told you those myths about transmissions, ignore them about any advice.