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Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS)


Object Number: 50171  Size: FS
Engine Controls Components
Information Sensors
4L80-E Transmission Controls (Solenoids)
Cruise Control Switch, Wastegate Solenoid, and APP Module
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice
.

Circuit Description

The speed sensor circuit consists of a magnetic induction type sensor, a vehicle speed sensor buffer module and wiring. The gear teeth pressed on the output shaft induces an alternating current in the sensor. This signal is transmitted to the buffer. The buffer compensates for various axle ratios and converts the signal into a square wave for use by the speedometer, the cruise control, the antilock brake and the PCM. The buffer sends two different signals to the PCM. This is a type D DTC.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The vehicle speed is greater than 20 mph.
    • The four wheel low is not selected.
    • The VSS buffer calculated speed is less than half of the transmission calculated speed.

or

    • The VSS buffer calculated speed is greater than the transmission calculated speed by 20 mph.
    • All of the conditions must be met for 2 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

No cruise control

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • A History DTC will clear after forty consecutive warm-up cycles during which the diagnostic does not fail (the coolant temperature has risen 5°C (40°F) from the start up coolant temperature and the engine coolant temperature exceeds 71°C (160°F) during that same ignition cycle).
    • Use of a Scan tool will clear the DTC codes.

Diagnostic Aids

Check the connections at the VSS buffer and the PCM. Refer to 4L80E Diagnostic Trouble Codes if DTC P0722 or DTC P0723 is also set.

Test Description

The number(s) below refer to number(s) on the Diagnostic Table.

  1. This tests for B+ at the VSS buffer.

  2. This tests for a proper ground path for the vehicle speed sensor signal buffer.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Important: Before clearing the DTCs, use the scan tool Capture Info in order to record the Freeze Frame and the failure records for reference, as the data will be lost when the Clear Info function is used.

Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

  1. Install the Scan Tool.
  2. Raise the drive wheels.
  3. Verify that the engine is operating.
  4. Verify that the transmission is in any drive range.

With the drive wheels rotating, does the vehicle speed increase with the drive wheel speed increase?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 3

3

  1. The transmission is in park.
  2. Back probe the VSS buffer module ignition feed circuit with a test light connected to ground.

Is the test light ON?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 8

4

Back probe the VSS buffer module ignition feed circuit to the ground circuit with a test light.

Is the test light ON?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 9

5

  1. Back probe the VSS buffer module at the VSS input circuit (C7) to the other VSS input circuit (C12) with a J 39200 on the AC scale.
  2. Place the transmission in any drive range with the drive wheels rotating.

Does the voltage increase on J 39200 with the drive wheel increase?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 10

6

Does the Scan tool display a trans output speed (MPH) increase with the drive wheel increase?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 13

7

The DTC is intermittent. If no additional DTCs are stored, refer to Diagnostic Aids. If any additional DTCs are stored, refer to those chart(s) first.

Are there any additional DTCs stored?

--

Go to the Applicable DTC Table

Go to Diagnostic Aids

8

Repair the open in the ignition feed circuit.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

--

9

Repair the open in the ground circuit.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

--

10

Check the complete VSS input circuit for an open or short to ground.

Was a repair performed?

--

Go to Step 15

--

11

Check the VSS output circuit for an open or short to ground.

Was a repair performed?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 12

12

Check the VSS output circuit for a poor connection at the buffer module and the PCM.

Was a repair performed?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 14

13

Replace the VSS Buffer module. Refer to Vehicle Speed Signal Buffer .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

--

14

Replace the PCM.

Important: If the PCM is malfunctioning, the new PCM must be programmed. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement/Programming .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

--

15

  1. Use the Scan Tool in order to select DTC, Clear Info.
  2. Start the engine. Allow the engine to idle at the normal operating temperature.
  3. Select DTC, Specific, then enter the DTC number which was set.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the conditions for setting this DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the Scan Tool indicate that this diagnostic Ran and Passed?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 2

16

Use the Scan Tool in order to select Capture Info, Review Info.

Are there any DTCs displayed that have not been diagnosed?

--

Go to the Applicable DTC Table

System OK