hondadude,

My apologies, I am in error. After your last response regarding the speedometer. I read up a little on the VSS. I then moved my car from one parking area to another without allowing it to warm up. The speedometer did not move at all but the tach was working fine. I had not noticed before or it just stopped working. I don't know if the problem (speedometer) is intermittent or permanent. I know the speedometer has worked in the past. I'll watch it later when I go out. Then it is the VSS(speed senor) for sure.

The VSS sold by AutoZone comes without a warranty. Though the store I went to yesterday that provided me the printout says they'll replace it for a period of 3 months with receipt if it fails.

 

If your cruise control doesn't work when the speedometer isn't working, then suspect the VSS or the wiring.

 

Specifically, the wiring "upstream" from where it splits off to the ECU & the cruise & the speedometer.

 

I tested the car yesterday and today and definitely the speedometer isn't working properly. When I accelerate from a stop light the speedometer doesn't move at first then after a few seconds it starts to move. Also, it's not always accurate in showing the actual speed I'm traveling.

No I did not check the cruise control.

 

Update:

Last Thursday as I'm leaving work, I noticed as I started the car the CEL stays off after the car starts. I turn off the engine and turn the ignition to on to verify the CEL bulb was working and it was. As as today the CEL as not turned on as before. Though when I noticed the CEL was off I also noticed that the Maintenance light was on. The car had a tuneup from the previous owner about a year ago. I have the receipts though it didn't mention what exactly was done.

And yes, with the CEL not on the speedometer is working again. I'll keep an eye on things.

Thanks

 

I've a hunch that it works like this...

When you start the engine, the ECU is not 'aware' that the VSS is bad. It should still store the error from last time, but maybe doesn't immediately light up the CEL.

Then when you start driving, THAT's when the ECU 'learns' that the VSS is still bad.

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The maintenance reqd. lamp is just a coincidence. There's no actual measurement for that, it's just a simple reminder based on miles alone. Reset procedure...
Key OFF.
Press & hold the odometer reset button
Continue to hold the reset button while turning the key ON (no need to start the engine)
Continue holding the reset button forever - well maybe about 20 seconds or so
MAINT lamp will flash a few times then stay off DONE

 

An update

About a week ago the check engine light comes on and stays on as I start the car. I take the car to the auto store to have them check out the error. They come back with the same error as before, P0500 the vehicle speed sensor. Then in the last 2 days I notice a distinct difference in the cranking sound my car makes when I started it up. A much weaker sound as if the battery is weak.

I turn on th lights and start the car and the lights completely dim as I start then come back up when the cars starts. I took the car to the auto store to have the battery checked and was told one of the battery cells is bad. After I installed a new battery I notice while I driving home that the check engine light is off. After arriving home I start up the car several times, big difference in the sound of the starting sound and the engine light is still off. Could a dying battery have caused the CEL to come on and give the error? Or could it have be a coincidence and the VSS is intermittent?

 

is everything working well now? if it is, then i could have been just that...

 

Yes, everything is working well. I had also noticed prior to this but never paid it much mind that the car was taken 2 cranks to startup. Before it would just start up on one crank. It looks like the low voltage from a dying battery was causing ghosts in the machine.

Thanks