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VSS and lockup

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Rosewood

Makin Z's
Joined
Sep 8, 2008
Messages
32
my convertor doesn't lock up. i get a VSS code when i dump the codes from the ECU - (i have the stock ecu and chip). i checked the brake switch and it works fine, i have 12v going to the trans - can the VSS cause the convertor to not lock up, or do i have to replace the TCC solenoid in the trans?

thanks in advance for the help!!

PS: my speedo acts totally strange - only reads below 5mph, when i go over 5, it drops to 0, it reads fine when at speed and i put it in Neutral, as soon as i put it back in D the needle drops to 0 again! very weird!!
 
On a G body Cutlass the sensor for the VSS is part of the speedo cluster. The sensor is connected to a signal transducer in a separeate box than provides a signal for the ECM. I'm not sure about a G body Regal but if they work on the same principle, your issue is that your speedometer is not working correctly.
 
Cool - thanks - Can anybody confirm that the VSS is for the TR is the same as 84SFIGN describes it?
 
Cool - thanks - Can anybody confirm that the VSS is for the TR is the same as 84SFIGN describes it?

84 is correct. There is a an optical sensor bolted to the back of the speedo that connects to a buffer box. From there the signal goes to the computer. If there is no VSS signal going to the computer the converter will not lock. Does the converter lock if you connect "A" to "F" on the ALDL connector?
 
PS: my speedo acts totally strange - only reads below 5mph, when i go over 5, it drops to 0, it reads fine when at speed and i put it in Neutral, as soon as i put it back in D the needle drops to 0 again! very weird!!

Check the speedometer drive gear in the trans. It may be worn or there is an issue with the governor gear.
 
i have tried that previously with the ALDL (before the speedo was doing what it does now) and it did not make the convertor lock up.

does the VSS have the optical sensor built in, does the buffer box? or are they seperate? are they still available from GM?
 
Check the speedometer drive gear in the trans. It may be worn or there is an issue with the governor gear.

i thought of that as well - wasn't going to check it until i knew i had to replace the TCC solenoid, you know, get 2 birds stoned at once - but its -21 C in the garage and i'm really hoping this can be done from in the car...

thanks again - i really appreciate it.
 
If it doesn't lock when you tie "A" to "F" you may have an electrical problem. Do you have 12 volts on pin "F" on the ALDL? You could have a problem with the brake switch or a connection problem somewhere.
 
does the VSS have the optical sensor built in, does the buffer box? or are they seperate? are they still available from GM?

The optical sensor is hardwired into the buffer box so they are a unit. The buffer box plugs into the wiring harness. I don't know if it is still available from GM. There is probably nothing wrong with it. You are probably getting the VSS code because of the speedometer problem. The lockup problem may be a different issue.
 
Tcc

As an aside, TCC will not lock up unless engine temp is up.... had problems using a 150 thermostat (would not lock up).
 
i think that the temp is ok - i took out the 160 stat a few years ago, but good point. where is the VSS? can i test it?

I checked the switch on brake pedal and its Ok - i will check for 12V at the ALDL - i never did that - but i did dump the codes off the ALDL 2 days ago and i think thats using F...but i have to check again...getting old!
 
i think that the temp is ok - i took out the 160 stat a few years ago, but good point. where is the VSS? can i test it?
I checked the switch on brake pedal and its Ok - i will check for 12V at the ALDL - i never did that - but i did dump the codes off the ALDL 2 days ago and i think thats using F...but i have to check again...getting old!

It can be tested if you have an oscilloscope. The buffer puts out a square wave signal to the computer. If you have a scan tool you can look at the speed reading when the speedometer is reading.

If you don't have 12V at pin "F" you have an open somewhere in the wiring including the TCC solenoid. If you do then the TCC solenoid could be bad.
 
i have 12V at D and F, when grounded at A or the chassis. my brother has an O-scope, but niether one of us can use it with any accuracy!!

so it looks like i gotta drop $124.23 at the GM dealer for a new TCC solenoid! and wait for 2 weeks to get it.

any ideas on the speedo wackyness?
 
so it looks like i gotta drop $124.23 at the GM dealer for a new TCC solenoid! and wait for 2 weeks to get it.
any ideas on the speedo wackyness?

$124.23 :eek: You should be able to get one at any tranmission parts house for $20-$30. As far as the speedo goes start at the tranmission speedo drive gears
 
i'll call a couple tranny shops and see if they can supply one - good idea. i thought they were $45-$50 - i was surprized at the price from the dealer as well.

just in case somebody is searching the forum for the TCC Solenoid Part Number, this is the GM number 8639900

i'll have a look at the speedo gear when i'm down there.

thanks again!
 
i'll have a look at the speedo gear when i'm down there.

thanks again!

Rosewood, just an FYI, the early 200R4's had a plastic speedo bullet that wore out and caused slop in the driven gear. Looks like your TR is an 86 or 87 so that may not apply but just wanted to pass that along. I had to upgrade my OZ code trans with a steel bullet to fix my speedo issues.
 
thanks for the heads up - its an 86, and i haven't checked the speedo gear yet - i'll do that when the TCC solenoid arrives. i'm leaning more towards the bad driven gear for the speedo problems.

where is the letter code on the trans? i guess i should have checked years ago - but in 01 i had the trans done and the builder said the case was no good and couldn't get another one locally and had to get it from montreal - i meant to check the case to verify that is the right one, but i never did. i have put on 20K kms on it since then, but that number is suspect since the speedo problems started last summer!
 
The letter code is on the right rear side of the trans near the tail shaft. If the case was changed it probably doesn't have the correct code (BRF). All the cases are pretty much the same so it doesn't really make any difference as long as the internals are correct...valvebody, governor, spacer plate, servo.
 
Does your scanmaster show a MPH reading going down the road? If so your VSS should be working.
 
Does your scanmaster show a MPH reading going down the road? If so your VSS should be working.

yeah - i really gotta get a scan tool of some sort! - but its always $250 that i need for something else!
 
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