Speedo Down/Speed Sensor(s) on 94 L400 Space Gear

AZDELICA

AZDELICA

New Member
Speedo down, problems shifting and A/T flashing intermittently after having a little too much fun in the mud perhaps... I've checked out a few of the threads on this, but a little confusing/conflicting, and wondering if there is some recent wisdom. Realize I probably need a new speed sensor. My plan/questions:

1. Checking all the fuses/wiring for a simple fix. Any thoughts?
2. Found the sensor on the driver side of the case (with two wires) and will check that/the connections. Questions: Does that pop/pry off? Is there a second sensor, where is that, and which one would cause the symptoms do you think? I think maybe there is a speedo sensor and an overdrive sensor further back...wasn't clear if that was in this model or just later models.

Any other comments/pictures/tips appreciated. Thanks!

jb
 
Sounds like you need to replace your speed sensor available on Amazon with Prime delivery. (or cheaper on eBay if you want to wait.)

But let's check a few things first...

Let's look at the blink codes, by doing the steps in this post on delica.ca...

When I did it, I got two codes...
  • "11 - Defective TP Sensor Or TP Sensor Circuit"
  • "38 Open No. 2 Speed Sensor Circuit"
So, then I went and had to
  • Check the ELC4 fuse (this is the fuse that controls A LOT of things)
  • Take the Dash out and inspect/clean the connections (sometimes it's just the speedometer connection in the back)
  • Check the VSS sensor on the transfer case via the diagnostics on page 54-24 in PWEE9410_54_CHASSIS_ELECTRICAL
Or just replace it, by....

On the left side of the transmission there is a speed sensor that has the wiring connector hold on by a metal clip.
Speedsensor.jpg​

Find the ends of the metal clip and hook them out, removing the metal part entirely.

You can then unplug the connector easily, then you can unscrew the old sensor and screw in the new one.

For reassembly, Install the metal clip into the plug before pushing it back onto the sensor.

This is what worked for me.
 
AZDELICA said:
Found the sensor on the driver side of the case (with two wires) and will check that/the connections. Questions: Does that pop/pry off? Is there a second sensor, where is that, and which one would cause the symptoms do you think? I think maybe there is a speedo sensor and an overdrive sensor further back...wasn't clear if that was in this model or just later models.
Click to expand...

That REALLY sounds like my issue... Look on the passenger (left) side of the transmission case... That is the other sensor and is MUCH cheaper to replace. :)
 
sck_nogas said:
That REALLY sounds like my issue... Look on the passenger (left) side of the transmission case... That is the other sensor and is MUCH cheaper to replace. :)
Click to expand...
Thanks so much! The clearest answers I've seen! Last question - I will search the part #, but is the VSS sensor on the left side available on Amazon? :)
 
The right is only available on Ayamama (sp?) and it’s not likely the issue.
 
Last edited:
That was it! $16 AND it shifts sharper/better. Thanks again! Next up, probably check/replace turbo and cheap method of cleaning fuel injectors...oh and need to tap my blanking plate for the PLX/EGR temp guage.
 
So glad to find this post! I had the same problem start last week (no speedo, blinking AT light, poor shifting). I ordered the new speed sensor and swapped it quickly. Took it for a test drive (10 min) and the problem was the same. Parked it overnight, then crawled underneath to jiggle and reseat wires before driving to AutoZone to get fault codes read...it worked on that trip! Hoping the problem is actually fixed and not just sleeping. Any reason why a well connected sensor would take some time to start reading correctly, or is it more likely it was a loose connection?

Only code they could read was a faulty catalytic converter. That said, the closest car they could reference was a 95 Montero. I haven't tried the manual method referenced on other threads.
 
Sthaddeus said:
Any reason why a well connected sensor would take some time to start reading correctly, or is it more likely it was a loose connection?
Click to expand...

If you didn't check your "blink codes", when you had the issue, then you may still have "problems"...

But, what I think happened, is that the sensor has a keyed pin that needs to seat into the transmission, if you just screwed it in without seating the keyed pin then it may nto have "engaged"... But, when you drove it (then jiggled), the transmission side spun around and when you stopped it was close enough for the keyed pin to slip in and engage.
 
Thanks. Yeah, I'm concerned about not reading the blink codes while the issue was occuring. I fit the pin into the transmission side before screwing on the sensor, in order to make sure the key was in the slot. But you're right that something may not have been seated--good thought.
 
Well, my fear was confirmed. Problem is back. Speedo not working. This time was on a slightly longer trip, so I had to drive it maybe 20 minutes. No speedo, shifting off (won't get out of 3rd gear I think). This time the sport light started blinking too. I checked the blink codes and came up with the following:

A/T blink: 38 (No. 2 Speed sensor)
Sport blink: 24 (unknown)
Engine blink: constant

@sck_nogas , you mentioned also checking a fuse and taking apart the dash. Are you able to direct me to a resource for where that fuse is? If the speedo isn't working AND its impacting shifting, it seems unlikely that a connection in the dash is the problem, would you agree?
 
Sthaddeus said:
@sck_nogas , you mentioned also checking a fuse and taking apart the dash. Are you able to direct me to a resource for where that fuse is? If the speedo isn't working AND its impacting shifting, it seems unlikely that a connection in the dash is the problem, would you agree?
Click to expand...
The ELC4 fuse on the L400 is the 4th fuse down on the left side of the Fuse block under the dashboard (it's a 10am fuse). For taking the dash apart, that is to clean the contacts that connect the speed sensor to the speedometer (since it's all electronic). Use contact cleaner to clean the contacts and ensure a solid connection. However, if you are having trouble shifting then it does sound like the speed sensor is not telling the transmission to shift.

Now one possibility is MAYBE your OD switch has shorted out and thus it can blow the ELC4 fuse, and also keep you in 3rd?
 
Update if it's helpful for folks with the same problem down the road:
- Was not the ELC4 Fuse
- Pulled dash instrument panel and cleaned all contacts. Not it, but not as scary as it seemed.
- I recently installed new speakers, for which I had the glove box out. During this process, the only wires I intentionally messed with were the speaker wires themselves (cutting them to install new plugs). However, I did root around under both seats looking to see if there was an amplifier. I revisited all those locations, pulled every wiring harness I could access, cleaned with contact cleaner, and re-seated.
- Pulled the speed sensor for the 4th or 5th time, cleaned the contacts AGAIN, and reinstalled.

It's now working. Given the timing, I suspect it was a wiring harness related to this system somewhere that got jiggled and had a bad connection. I could have been more scientific, but I got tired of test driving after every cleaning. Thanks @sck_nogas for the help with this.
 
Hello guys, let's see who can help me, I own a Delica Space Gear turbo diesel, I live in FL and I am an amateur mechanic.
The fact is that I bought this Delica and like all the cars I buy, they always have something to entertain me and give me headaches lol,
This 1994 Delica has the cluster like a Christmas tree, I have the lights flashing: A/T, the front wheels, the sport mode.
After reading so much, the first thing I did was get the code resulting in 11 speed sensor, I checked the cables underneath and nothing, I bought a new one and it is still intermittent, I thought it would be because of the 4wd one, I hope I get the valve that goes under the fuse box to change it and see if they are removed at once.
The sport mode I read was because they upgraded the suspension but I want to remove that light as well, does anyone have any idea about my problem?
I almost forgot, this vehicle had a radio changed and some clocks installed on top of the dashboard, I'm going to check what they did, they removed the clock and I see 2 cables cut above the glove compartment, one black and one grey, apart from that I see that when they put The key in the swish and you turn it to ON mode activates the A/C and I turn it off then I start the car and the A/C turns on again. I have no idea what they did to that car.
 
1999 Delica L400- I ran into an issue with my Speedometer and Odometer not working. No noticeable issues with shifting except for one time that the "N" light flashed while in drive. I found the speed sensor on Amazon and it was a super easy install and so far the speedo and odometer are working great. Link below.

 
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