QuestionI was driving along when all of the sudden the speedometer I noticed wasn't working, and when I pulled up to the stop light it died and the engine light came on.. I was able to start it again, and I also noticed that it didn't seem to be shifting, nor did the automatic locks lock the car doors at 15mph like they are supposed to. The Check engine light is still on, and still no speedometer. Still not shifting.. Any ideas about what this could possibly be.. ??? We need help as soon as possible?
Thanks,
Jamie & Mark Spurlock
AnswerHi Mark and Jamie,
It sounds to me like the sensor on the transmission that detects the output speed has stopped working. It gives the signal that runs the speedo, the shifting, and the door lock function. It is located on the driver's side of the transmission, at the very rear of the powertrain. It screws into the side of the transmission and has a wire connector on its tip (lift tab to remove). It has a "mate" input sensor just forward of the trans dipstick tube, just for reference that you have found the output sensor that look quite similar.
You can replace that yourself if it is reachable. You might also verify this diagnosis by turning the ignition key: on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the odometer window to see if any 4-digit numbers appear. That sensor's fault code is 0500.
If you don't get any readout, then go to an Autozone parts store where they will do a readout or lend you a reader that plugs into a socket under the dash near the steering column which will get the fault code that is stored in the memory of the powertrain computer.
That is my best suggestion for now. Let me know what fault code comes out and we can go from there, or ask at the parts store if time is short.
Roland
