I had a test done on my car because CEL was on and they told me it was the speed sensor. does anyone know where this is located and how much it would cost to fix.

 

When your speed sensor is bad your speedometer won't work either, or it will give erratic readings.

The sensor is mounted on top of the transmission, it is just one bolt and one plug to replace but it is about a $80.00 part last time I checked.

 

Yea that what they told me but my speedometer still works and works right so idk.

 

What year Civic do you have, is it manual or automatic, and what is the number trouble code from the computer?

Before 1992, the speedometer was mechanical, it was a different arrangement entirely.

I don't know much about the automatics but some of them might have another sensor that is reading a speed inside the transmission as well as the one that reads the road speed of the car.

Also is everything stock, or has the engine or transmission been swapped to a type that didn't come with the car? Using an ECU that doesn't match the transmission you have will often cause the speed sensor code.

 

its a 1998 civic ex, 5spd. i put a can of seafoam in the brake booster b4 i noticed the light was on. so i thought maybe it was o2 sensor or something. i had 2 have it serviced so i took it and told them everything i done and they plugged it up to there machine and then he told me it was my speed sensor so i really dont know what it is im just goin on what they say.

 

I agree with mk. I doesn't sound like the speed sensor is bad. Take the car to AutoZone where they will retrieve the CEL trouble codes free of charge. Alternatively, retrieve the code yourself at home using the jumper wire method detailed at the link in my signature. Post the codes to get more feedback.

 

ok well i got in my car yesterday afternoon and it was on. went to town got out then got in and the S.O.B was off so idk.

 

The code(s) should still be stored in the computer even though the light is off now. Take the car to autozone or most any other chain parts store and have them scan it (should be free). Write down the codes and numbers and then clear them. Do not buy any parts yet. If there is more than one code stored you need to see which one will reoccur, that one is more likely to correspond to a real problem rather than just a one-time event.

 

i dont mean to hijak this thread but i have a 91 honda civic dx sedan
that the CEL cam on i counted the flash's 17
but i have looked and looked it has a direct cable from the speedo to the tranny and i can find what other forums say the VSS should look like or be at
any help would be great thanks

 

I also have a '91 DX. I've gotten a couple of false code 17's over the years. The light did not stay on after starting the engine again so I didn't try to fix anything.

If it does it all the time so you need to check it out, the speed sensor on these is in the speedometer head. Though the speedometer and odometer are mechanical, there is also a magnetic switch in it that outputs pulses to the ECU.