1992 Civic HB VSS & Tranny Question

Hello,

Spent some time on the net doing some research on some questions I have, and
I still am unsure about a few things, so could you please help clarify some
things. I have a 1992 Honda Civic Hatchback DX Model with a 1995 1.5L
engine in it.


1) My Speedometer doesn't work. The check engine light comes on.

Are there supposed to be three wires connected to the connector from the
wiring harness that connects to the VSS? Mine only has two connected both
at the extremeties of the connector and there is a third one that isn't
attached. Also, does the VSS itself have three prongs in the connector
mounted on top of tit or is there only two? I have only two. I took a look
at a few other honda's, not hatchbacks and I saw that they have all three
wires at the connector and three prongs (is that what you call them) in the
connector from the VSS. With that I will be able to fix my problem.


2) My tranny grinds when I shift into 3rd gear.

My question is can I just replace the synchors for the 3rd gear, or do I
need to buy an entire new transmission? Better to get a new one or used one
if that is the case? This is my second (used) transmission in the car that
I bought with slight grinding since the 3rd and 4th gear were completely
shot on the old one when I bought the car and it's all I could afford. What
would be the cheaper route to take? I would rather avoid spending too much
money unless it is really necessary.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Andy wrote:

<snip>

 > 1) My Speedometer doesn't work. The check engine light comes on.
 >
 > Are there supposed to be three wires connected to the connector from the
 > wiring harness that connects to the VSS? Mine only has two connected both
 > at the extremeties of the connector and there is a third one that isn't
 > attached. Also, does the VSS itself have three prongs in the connector
 > mounted on top of tit or is there only two?

There should be three wires. Ground (Black), power (Ywllow/Blue) and
signal (Yellow white). Perhaps what you found is not the VSS but the
reverse switch for the backup lights? It has two wires, Yellow and
Green/Black. All wire colors from '94 Civic service manual.

Check <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.geocities.com/ng_randolph/Civic/vss_loc.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.geocities.com/ng_randolph/Civic/vss_loc.jpg</a> for what
should be a photo of the tranny on your generation Civic. A close-up is
at <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.geocities.com/ng_randolph/Civic/vss_loc2.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.geocities.com/ng_randolph/Civic/vss_loc2.jpg</a>


<snip>


 > 2) My tranny grinds when I shift into 3rd gear.
 >
 > My question is can I just replace the synchors for the 3rd gear, or do I
 > need to buy an entire new transmission?

<snip>

I am no transmission expert, but I believe that replacing the 3rd gear
synchro is all that is needed (start the flames if I am wrong!). If you
can do this yourself, great. If not, the labor involved may well make it
cheaper to put in a remanufactured tranny.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->