I have a 1987 GTA Trans AM. The previous owner swapped the instrument cluster with a firebird cluster, not sure the year. The speedometer has not worked, however it looks like all the other gauges work. I am at a loss???? Any ideas.. Thanks.

 

Well I was hoping for a reply of some kind...
I'm looking for any hints or ideas.

 

Welcome to TGO. The VSS is often the culprit. A search will provide much more info.

JamesC

 

Thanks for the start... I'll do some searching on the VSS. I'm not familiar with it, but I have a feeling I will get acquainted.

 

Okay, I have found some great info about the VSS and away to test the speedo. However, is there an instrument cluster wiring diagram on this site anywhere?

 

You "might" find something in the following link:

http://www.austinthirdgen.org/index.php?pid=19

JamesC

 

I have found that the VSS that connect to the back of the instrument cluster is missing. The instrument cluster is not stock and my be from a newer model Firebird. So once again I'm lost. I'm planning a trip to the salvage yard to see what I can find.

Here is a few pics of what I have...

 

On the electric versions, the VSS is located on the tailshaft of the trans, IIRC.

JamesC

 

I believe only the 85 clusters with a cable driven speedometer had the vss on the back of the cluster. (I have one and it doesn't look like that )

Like they said your VSS will be in the transmission, you do have a buffer mounted on the passenger side of the dash....it's a yellow plastic box.

Looks like someone tried to add white face guages.....you "can" damage the guage prying off the needle.

These gauges are a dime a dozen on ebay, it would be worth your while to pick one up correct for your year model car. I bought an electric speedo cluster (120 mph) for around $30 shipped. I would at least try that too.

 

Ok I have a yellow box on the passenger side... and I have a 2 wire connector that connects to nothing right below it that is yellow and purple the same color as what I would guess is the vss is on the tranny.

Is the speedo connected through either of the two connectors on the instrument cluster?

Thanks for all the help!!

 

If memory serves me correctly there are two brown wires coming off the VSS buffer box, one goes to the ecm and the other runs up to the speedometer.

I just remembered this link, it's for doing retrofit but gives you details on the wiring.

http://www.hioutput.com/tech/speedo.html