Electronics Need help wiring something up? Thinking of adding an electrical component to your car? Need help troubleshooting that wiring glitch?

Need to Know How to Test an Optical VSS

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-26-2012, 06:26 PM
  #1  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
mrogers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Holly, MI
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: '87 Camaro
Engine: 4.3L V6
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Need to Know How to Test an Optical VSS

I've been living without the VSS working for 5 years and I wanted to figure out what was wrong, so used this procedure to test it (but just with a voltmeter, not oscilloscope):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR_vdU1b1rs

Positive on top, negative, signal on bottom. I spun it and I only saw an increase of a half a volt on the signaling phase instead of 12. I have a used spare that I just got off ebay that claimed to be good and it acts exactly the same.

What am I missing here? Is my procedure wrong or am I just lucky enough to have two dead VSS units?

By the way, for some reason I had 12v at the ECM end of the harness for the VSS whether the vehicle was moving or not. I checked again with the cluster out and it's at 0. Continuity is good between the cluster connection and the ECM end of the harness.
Old 03-29-2012, 10:26 AM
  #2  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
mrogers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Holly, MI
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: '87 Camaro
Engine: 4.3L V6
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Need to Know How to Test an Optical VSS

Update: I probed every wire that has to do with the VSS on the cluster and on the main harness and everything seems fine, but what I don't understand is why I still have a constant 12V on the signal wire going to the ECM with the cluster installed. It seems like it should be the crappy 0 - 0.5v signal I get when I test the VSS on the bench.

I'm out of ideas for testing this besides buying a new optical VSS for almost $100.
Old 04-21-2012, 11:10 AM
  #3  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
mrogers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Holly, MI
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: '87 Camaro
Engine: 4.3L V6
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Need to Know How to Test an Optical VSS

Well, this seems to be the proper operation for the VSS. I have a wiring issue on the body wiring somewhere. I've bypassed the wiring with some test leads and I'm reading proper speed input on the scanner.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Linson
Auto Detailing and Appearance
25
09-25-2021 07:55 PM
InfernalVortex
Electronics
10
04-20-2021 11:31 AM
RedLeader289
Tech / General Engine
10
05-28-2019 01:47 PM
$750 L98
LTX and LSX
6
11-07-2015 02:26 PM
TMZIrocZ350
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
1
10-07-2015 12:09 PM



Quick Reply: Need to Know How to Test an Optical VSS



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:54 AM.