EKdude

My question is would a defective VSS cause my vehicle not to start? Or would it likely be my battery or alternator?

Problems & symptoms:

Engine light on
Codes:
17
41
65

1. speedo goes outta wack
2. bad gas mileage
3. ideling isn't normal
4. finally my car is dead

I'm going to try to clean the ground terminal tho there isn't any appearnt residue bulidup...

I think there could be an issue with a bad battery tho.. any suggestions? Well i'm going to boost my car and see if it'll start if it does would this mean a bad battery?

The driving condition i was in when the engine light came on was(Raining Hard) I was on the Highway driving when this happened..

kwasley

do you have a cold air intake?

bdotdan

Engine light on
Codes:
17 - VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor) defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor
41 - Primary Oxygen Sensor - Heater circuit malfunction
65 - Oxygen Sensor Heater (Secondary) malfunctioning or defective oxygen sensor heater

wacko speedo is due to the VSS
i would assume the bad gas mileage and irregular idle would be caused by the oxygen sensors

EKdude

thanks guys.... i just went and replaced my battery .. so at least my car is running now...

what is more important to replace first?
VSS
O2sensor
O2sensor (secondary)

I'm guessing O2 Sensor? since it's killing my gas? what do you guys think?

EKdude

No i have hot air intake (aka short ram)

DumbasSi

The VSS on my 98Si was throwing a code for about a week before I changed it. The speedo would work on and off, but the car ran fine.

The sensor from Honda is over $100. Try to hit up a shop that does swaps or even a TCC person who recently did a swap and might have a sensor to spare.

imported_kIeRaN

also, the connector for your VSS may also just be dirty and not geting a proper signal

chris_si98

I would change the o2's first. Then the vss. From my understanding the VSS being defective won't too that much harm (if any) to your engine (atleast I think)

EKdude

thanks for the heads up, i'll check out these places...Honda is always over priced...

EKdude

I've also checked for this but it seems to be fine... there's no visable dirt buildup or moisture...

EKdude

Ya thats what I think too... i'll change the o2 sensor first then.. thanks

imported_Team Rukus

wow 3 people posted about the same problem days apart.
there is another thread called
ELECTRIAL PROBLEMS or something check that.
the anwer to it has been replied by Rajun Cajun

EKdude

okay after i changed my battery my car was running for about 1 day... i drove it to work in the morning and when i got off work while i was driving my car died... i grabbed my DMM and checked the voltage on the battery... it read zero (0) and i just waited for about 10min and tried to start my car again.. i started so i went a head and read the voltage on the alternator... it read 8.5v or so.. So i think my alternator is ****'ed as well as my battery...

imported_Cablerat

the car running with the alternator should output around 14.4Vs.

When car is off it should be like 12-12.85V

EKdude

OK!
well these are the things that i have done... I've changed to a new and fully charged battery, and also installed a new alternator... now I drove my car to get fillup then stopped by a buddies place..as a few hours past by I was on my way home.. then my car died again...

question: Does anybody have any other clue as to why this is happening? Could it by my main relay?

EKdude

maybe it's something to do with the charging system?

EKdude

there doesn't seem to be anything draining my battery.. it's really weired... i haven't a clue to why my battery is always.. dead even when i put in a new alt. and batt.

EKdude

i forgot to mention that right after i installed the new alt. and fired up my car.. it was reading 12.6V while on idle which means it's a bad alt? but how can this be when i just put in a brand new one? and also with my battery brand new.. just doesn't make any sense??? it's gotta be something else...