QuestionThanks for your answer. I'm writing you back since you mentioned something about getting money back, and I seem to be in a loophole between two mechanics on that one. Thought I'd ask an independent party (you) about it.
I don't think I paid much if anything to the first mechanic who just took a look at it and checked the speed sensor, and the second one (in the city) says that I told them what part to get, they didn't diagnose the problem, so their labor cost is my problem. They also don't seem to want to buy the second speedo head back. Can I make them buy it back for the $145 they sold it to me for?
And who should I go to replace the speed sensor on the transmission? I've been quite frustrated with the city guys (second mechanic) through all this, but then the first one sent me off base to begin with. Also, did you mention that there are actually two speed sensors on this model? (I looked at some other postings on this site.) But if there are, you're sure it's the one on the tranny that's got to go on my car, right?
THANKS!
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Followup To
Question -
I have a 1995 Honda Accord DX, 4-door, at 100k miles. About two months ago, the speedometer started acting goofy - it works sometimes, but it doesn't register my speed at other times. When frozen, the needle shows 19 mph whether I'm driving 50 mph or stopped at a stop sign. The needle can shoot up and down while I'm driving continuously, showing an interruption in signal. The odometer is similarly affected at the same time. The tachometer, however, is independent, and works fine all along.
The first mechanic I took it to checked the speed sensor, which had a good signal, so he told me I needed a new speedometer head. He couldn't find a good used one available, so later I took it to a mechanic in a bigger town.
The city mechanic found a used speedometer head for $145 and put it in. The total bill was close to $300. Guess what? It worked for only a few hours, then started working intermittently again. Same deal as before, basically. I took it back to mechanic #2. They then checked the speed sensor (works) and the wiring in the harness, and didn't find any problem in the wiring. So they put the original speedometer head back in the car (because I didn't want the extra 79,000 miles to show on the speedometer display, from the used part, if it wasn't even solving the problem). Then they sent me home and told me they'd "think about it". That was a week ago, and not a peep. Probably not a priority for them, eh?
So now I'm exactly where I was at the beginning, but I'm out $300, and have an extra speedometer head sitting on the floor of my car.
What to do to get a working speedometer? And how much more is it likely to cost me, considering the previous $300 hasn't gotten me anywhere? Thanks so much.
Answer -
Betsy,
You should have checked with me first.
The answer to your problem is very simple.
You have a bad speed sensor. Period.
Even though it checked out ok AT THE TIME of testing, it is still bad.
Simply replace the speed sensor (the piece on top of the transmission) and your car will be fixed.
You should then return the speedo head and demand your $300 back!
Take care and thanks for the question.
Gene/ASE Master technician/Honda Platinum technician
AnswerBetsy,
If you indeed told the city mechanic what to replace, and he did as you wished, then I am sorry. You will have to eat the costs, although I feel they should have checked the part to see if it was really the problem. It may be hard to get your money back in that situation.
If they diagnosed your problem as a bad speedo head, and said it needed to be replaced, they they should buy the part back. It does not sound like that was the case though.
You need to replace the VSS (vechicle speed sensor). It is the one on top of the trans, towards the firewall.
I would recommend taking it to what ever mechanic you feel better about. I would also not diagnose it for them and tell them what you think the problem is. (VSS) Tell them you have a friend who had the same problem, and it was the speed sensor. This way just in case for some strange reason it is not the speed sensor, you will not have to eat the costs again. Don't put yourself in that position again. If they do not want to replace it for fear of not fixing the car, then take it somewhere else and tell them what you have been thru and what you suspect the problem is. Again, do not diagnose the car for them. Simply give them your thoughts on what the problem is.
Good luck and I wish I was there to help you out!
Gene/ASE Master technician/Honda Platinum technician
