VS SS Commodore 1996 Speedo not working

[Julian1969]

Hi all,
Just wondering if anyone else has had the same Problem or have any Idea what's causing the problem.
I have a VS SS series 2 1996 commodores, I'm having a problem with my Speedo not working.

I removed the cluster myself many times repairing breaks in the Circuit plastic on the back with electric paint. Did not fix the problem,I then took it to an Auto electrician who got a specialist to repair the cluster properly, he tested it and said it wasn't working when brought in.

After that was done Speedo still didn't work, then replaced the Speed sensor, still doesn't work, then Auto electrician spent an hour checking the wiring.
Couldn't find anything wrong and said he believes the ECU could be faulty and be the reason Speedo isn't working. Has anyone ever had this issue or agree it could be ECU or something else, what else could it possibly be, cheers in advance.

 

[Immortality]

Auto or manual? other than the speedo not working is it doing any other weird stuff (stalling)?

If auto, does the transmission shift gears correctly?

It is possible the ecu isn't putting out the pulse signal but a good auto electrician should have been able to test this with a scope.

 

[Julian1969]

Auto or manual? other than the speedo not working is it doing any other weird stuff (stalling)?

If auto, does the transmission shift gears correctly?

It is possible the ecu isn't putting out the pulse signal but a good auto electrician should have been able to test this with a scope.

Automatic, it shifts great,
One thing I should have added is when he plugged his Fault scanner in it didn't work or recognise my car

 

[trel]

Yeah find a different auto elec.

 

[Immortality]

Automatic, it shifts great,

OK, the tells me the speed sensor and ecu is working as the ecu needs the speed sensor to know when the shift the transmission.

One thing I should have added is when he plugged his Fault scanner in it didn't work or recognise my car

That could indicate a fault but it could also be his scanner does not work on earlier model Commodores so that in itself isn't definitive. It is possible the ecu isn't passing through the VSS speed signal.

So the question becomes, spend money with a different auto electrician or a replacement ecu. Still doesn't rule out the dash cluster either unfortunately.

Know anyone else with the same model Commodore? Can you beg/borrow or steak a ecu to test with?

 

[Julian1969]

OK, the tells me the speed sensor and ecu is working as the ecu needs the speed sensor to know when the shift the transmission.


That could indicate a fault but it could also be his scanner does not work on earlier model Commodores so that in itself isn't definitive. It is possible the ecu isn't passing through the VSS speed signal.

So the question becomes, spend money with a different auto electrician or a replacement ecu. Still doesn't rule out the dash cluster either unfortunately.

Know anyone else with the same model Commodore? Can you beg/borrow or steak a ecu to test with?

Speedo cluster was bench tested and was working properly, guy in Adelaide who does it is the Only guy , he's good. The auto electrical however while he's done other work for me he's quite young. Perhaps finding someone with a better fault scanner and more experience is the next step.

Anyone know a good Auto electrician with experience with Older commodores in Adelaide lol?

 

[BlackVXGTS]

You said the guy's scanner didn't work. Are you getting a check engine light (CEL) on the dash? Does the CEL even work when you turn the ignition on and the lights all turn on for a short time? Use the link below to see if any error codes have been set.

Checking error codes VR/VS (Revised)

Checking your Computer for Faults (VR - VS) Locate the diagnostic connector under the the steering column on the drivers side. Grab a paper clip and bridge pins number 5 & 6 'black' and 'white with black stripes' respectively on the ALDL (Assembly Line Diagnostic Link) connected which are...

forums.justcommodores.com.au

 

[Julian1969]

You said the guy's scanner didn't work. Are you getting a check engine light (CEL) on the dash? Does the CEL even work when you turn the ignition on and the lights all turn on for a short time? Use the link below to see if any error codes have been set.

http://[URL]https://forums.justcommodores.com.au/threads/checking-error-codes-vr-vs-revised.22307/

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It comes on then goes off once Car is running after a few seconds,
I'll also say my alternator **** itself 6 months ago and was replaced.
All lights turn on for a short time yes,
This car although overall reliable has been an utter nightmare with some things lol

 

[07GTS]

there is a purple wire with white trace going to the cluster this is the speed signal wire, if u pop the panel under steering to the fuses the thick loom on the right should have it in there, the next step from there is the cluster so if anyone can test that for signal it would point to either a brake before that point or a not working cluster (poor connection at cluster itself), same at ecu color should have signal there, can even tap into there with signal generator to see if speedo works with key on, after those tests all u have to do is see where its telling u the fault is

 

[Fu Manchu]

Wasn’t it the plastic speedo cable connector or the little gear that would break in the cluster? Or was that VN-VR?