Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Speedo out - VSS ?

Does the same Vehicle Speed Sensor send information to the speedometer and automatic transmission?

My speedo quit working, then the transmission immediately started acting up, shifting out of gear several times while accelerating from a stop.
Any chance that the VSS could cause both problems? Also, where do I find the VSS, do I have to take apart the transmission?

Thanks,
Dave

I've fixed this and will share what I've learned for the record. The answer is yes, a broken Vehicle Speed Sensor can knock out the speedometer and confuse the ATX. Transmission symptoms were: no overdrive engagement, hard shifts, and very random shifts when accelerating from zero. If shifted by hand it drove fine and would stay in 3rd gear at highway speeds.

The speedometer cable passes through the vehicle speed sensor, at the bottom of the VSS a plastic shaft fits into a spline on the speedometer gear. Mine was sheared off at this connection, so the VSS and speedo cable weren't spinning. The replacement part has a metal shaft (duh), cost $60 from dealer, and is easy to swap out in an hour or so. Just let the car cool off for a while because you have to lie under the car with your face in the oilpan.

FYI
[edit 6/3 per suggestion below, this information pertains to 95 Contour GL, Zetec/ ATX ]

Sorry I didn't catch your first post, glad you were able to solve problem and advise members.
Your car info would help 'cause later models don't have speedo cable.

You're lucky yours came out that easy. I had to wait 'til I had the tranny torn apart before it was replaced.

Hi pangloss and all. The shaft on the VSS in my 95 Duratec (with MTX) also broke off into the transaxle. I'm not able to install the new VSS though because the bit broken off the old VSS shaft is still in the transaxle. How can I remove it? Can it be pushed through?

Thanks.