1996 Civic 5Sp. Ok, I've been working on my speedometer issues for quite a while now and am just really confused now. It does the normal thing where it will work sometimes and then quit???

I've replaced the VSS, replaced the Guage cluster with one that has 50K, I've cleaned the connection at the VSS. I've reseated all sorts of cables.

What I think I need to know is, what do the three wires coming off the VSS do...

I know the black one is ground.

The Blue/Wht one, does it go directly to the Speedometer???does it go to a computer first or what?

The Blck/ylw, does it supply 5V to the sensor? If so, from where.

I think What I need to do is, just maybe run separate wires from the sensor to it's finaly destination...

Let me know what you think.

 

Is the CEL ON? Sounds like a bad wire. Does fuse 15 under the dash blow? Read this TSB.

Yes, the Blk wire is ground.

The Blk/Yel wire supplies the VSS with a reference 5V, which comes from the circuit protected by fuse 15.

The Blu/Wht wire eventually branches to the speedometer, ECU/PCM, and the cruise control.

 

Yes, CEL is on. The Amp doesn't blow, it's good...

So, if I have the key on, I should read 5V from the Blk/Yel wire, correct?
Also, Is it possible to cut the Blu/Wht wire near the VSS and run it directly to the Speedometer? I don't have cruise control...

 

What CEL codes do you retrieve from the ECU (see CEL link in my signature)?

I don't think you want to do that. The VSS signal is needed not only for the speedometer but also for the ECU to make decisions about engine performance.

Actually that wire has battery voltage. Here's how to troubleshoot the circuit:

 

listen to RonJ he has great info. This sounds like the same exact thing as mine. Fuse 15 may not be blown...mine wasn't. But the fuse came out really easy. I would say look at all the wires under your fuse box. You will probably see a black/yellow wire that is melted a little bit(mine didn't look too bad till i started ripping it out). Replace that wire (you may also need a new fuse box) and make sure all the wires by your alternator, vss, and o2's are not rubbing on any metal. Your VSS and your cluster are perfectly fine. I have been messing with this problem for a while and I finally found the connector to the fuse box is messed up so i may have to do some extra work. Feel free to PM me with any questions. I can take some pics too if you need any.

 

Ok, I've checked, and it's pulsing at the speedometer itself... The only difference I see is that it's pulsing 12V and not 5V. Is that the problem? I bought another Speedometer cluster on Ebay with 50K miles on it, and of course it doesn't work, either? Could I have 2 bad clusters, 12V too much?

 

Is your cluster getting power -- Do the gas gauge, temperature gauge, and warning lights work? What was the ECU code?

 

Ok, I think I've got it. I put the new Cluster in, and it didn't work. I tried checking the ground on the speedometer while it was plugged it, AND...........found that the screw was missing that held the Ground portion of the circuit board to the speedo... I put in a screw from the old cluster and the speedometer is working!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I put in the old cluster, it didn't work, put in the new one again and it's working. I'll have to drive it around for a bit to see if it is for sure fixed. Thanks everyone for their help....

Now on to changing the O2 sensor.. Any tips or suggestions for me before I dive into that???