I have a 96 accord, and I need to have the VSS or speed sensor changed. I don't really want to have to take it to a shop, so I was wondering how difficult it was to do on my own. I know that it is attached to the transmission, but that's about all i know. Would it be easy to get to?

10/26/2005 2:46:38 PM

Reasonably easy to get to...probably only retained by a bolt and a retainer clip, maybe two bolts.

10/26/2005 4:00:40 PM

under the hood, whats the general area i would be looking for?

10/26/2005 4:27:50 PM

this is for a '95 accord (and the disclaimer goes only up to that year) but it might be what you need. there was no guide for '96

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/0d/0c/3b/0900823d800d0c3b.jsp

10/26/2005 4:43:06 PM

it should be sticking straight out of the top of the tranny... probably towards the back near the firewall. there will be a stiff wire running out of it into the firewall somewhere. like zxappeal said... there's probably a retainer clip under the rubber boot and either 1 or 2 10mm (i think) bolts holding the actual sensor to the tranny casing.

10/26/2005 6:40:00 PM

Actually, it depends on which sensor you are actually needing to replace, there is a wheelspeed or output shaft sensor as well as a mainshaft speed sensor on that vehicle. I have changed a few mainshaft sensors on 96 accords specifically.

10/26/2005 7:48:23 PM

uh huh huh... main shaft sensor... huh huh

10/26/2005 11:13:57 PM

this is the right part correct?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/94-97-ACCORD-SPEED-SENSOR-honda-vehicle-LIFE-WARRANTY_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ46104QQitemZ8009781742QQrdZ1

10/27/2005 10:51:47 AM

Quote :

" I have changed a few mainshaft sensors on 96 accords specifically."

Yep, it's a defect.

Honda will replace the sensor and CV joint for free on that side (maybe both).

They did it for my friend in under 30 mins.

10/27/2005 11:12:41 AM

honda will replace the part I need for free?

10/27/2005 11:42:50 AM

well my friend with a 96 EX went in for a sensor problem and they replaced the sensor (somehow a few of the teeth went missing on the sensor where it touches the CV shaft) so they replaced the sensor and the axle for free.

so it never hurts to ask.

YMMV

[Edited on October 27, 2005 at 11:55 AM. Reason : eh]

10/27/2005 11:55:12 AM

is that ebay part the one i need?

10/28/2005 12:10:07 PM

doesn't look like it. my civic's speed sensor sticks right out of the top of the tranny. very easy to get to and pull off. has 1 (or 2) bolts holding it in. there should be teeth on the vss. i dont know wtf that ebay thing is.

10/28/2005 5:37:19 PM

wow hunter, didnt know you were running a '96 accord transmission in your turbo civic

that eBay auction DOES appear to be for the correct part, confirmed by 3 minutes on http://www.partsamerica.com (advance auto online):

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList.aspx?PartType=1179&PTSet=A&SearchFor=Speed%20Sensor

10/28/2005 7:23:06 PM

ebay is a lot cheaper than anything else i've found...amazing how much cheaper, is that just how much places rip you off?

10/31/2005 3:45:08 PM

an actual store has overhead. ebay sellers often do not.

10/31/2005 4:17:31 PM

^bingo. phishbfm...running a parts business requires a fair amount of overhead, same as many retail businesses.

Take the store I work at for example: The rent alone costs almost $4k a month. Electricity usually runs $1500 or more. We have four phone lines. We have AT LEAST $8k a month in payroll expenses...and we require somewhat skilled parts counter help. And we also run a parts delivery truck.

Now, on average, we try to maintain at least a 30% profit margin, but this often does not occur. You tell me...is there a reason why folks selling shit outta their garage at home at their leisure or out of a small warehouse with no storefront and with no counter people can sell stuff at a reduced rate?

They can also sell at a reduced margin, as they usually concentrate on higher volumes.

10/31/2005 6:40:23 PM

makes sense to me...im sure stores aren't thrilled about ebay...

10/31/2005 10:59:28 PM

^^^^^a honda is a honda. lots of honda/acura parts are interchangeable independent of motor, like water pumps, vtack solenoids, suspension parts, throttle bodies (diff. diameter sizes, but still works) to name a few. and since this thing is only a sensor, i figured it would atleast have a similar configuration to mine, but apparently not. that thing doesn't have any ridges for gearing like mine does.

anywho, vss's are easy as cake to change.

11/1/2005 12:08:43 PM

blah blah blah, title of the thread is "Ever changed a Speed Sensor(VSS) in an Accord?" if you dont fit the bill sit down and shut up.

11/1/2005 1:34:17 PM

well, i just ordered one for 39.95 and will try and install it myself

11/1/2005 1:36:54 PM