I have an 89 trans am with a 305 TPI and auto trans. While installing my new BMR torque arm I might have pushed it too far forward and broke the electric plug on the VSS. I used a zip tie at first just to hold it on to test the car after all of my new suspenion and brake upgrades. But because it broke the clip part of the sensor it was not making the best contact so my speedo would be sporadic and then my transmission would not shift. I thought oh well because I have a good parts car same year make, model, engine, transmission and even exterior color at work with a known good trans that I could steal it from. Immediately when looking at the parts car VSS I could tell it was different. I thought maybe it was just an updated one since I have paperwork on the trans in that car being rebuilt. So I removed it, took it home and carefully drained and saved all my fresh new B&M trans fluid and removed my broken one.

Here is where I got lost. The one in my car has an electric plug but a gear drive in the transmission like a hybrid mix of old and new. The parts car that I have is identical to mine but tan interior and no tops it has a differnt style plug and uses a magnetic pick up. So I thought well maybe that is because the transmission was rebuilt and was changed. So I jump online and all I could find for pretty much any 700R4 trans vss was either strait cable like the earlier models or the magnetic pickup style like my parts car has. After lots of searching and using litterally every year and gm vehicle filter I could think of until put in for an 84-90 corvette and bam there is my VSS that my car needs. Then I seen the prices on some of the used ones on ebay for like $250. I found an updated version of it new from gm with a new sub harness for $150.

I did my best to search here on the forums for anything similar and could not find anything. Has anyone else had or run into this style of hybrid VSS on thier car?

 

Post an Image of what you have, and what you think you want.

I'll try to help you find something.

 

a picture is worth 1000 words

 

That is exactly what I have in my transmission. Like I said when putting my new BMR torque in a pushed it too far forward and broke the electrical connector on mine so it would not stay plugged in. I was able to find an updated version of it that comes with an updated jumper harness.

 

top retrofit or bottom
stock ?

 

sorry I have the bottom one with the electrical connector and the gear.

 

https://ebay.us/m/FC1cOR

May have to post a ad in the classifieds. Two different housings were used i think based off driven gear tooth count.
the eBay is for reference but way to expensive

 

The "bottom one" is the early GM version of the electric VSS used for the 84-86 Berlinetta + 86-89 Firebird that used a rounded plug style. As Brian described,.. there were 2 versions that were 'driven' gear tooth count dependent.




Beginning in 1990 Both the Camaro and the Firebird started using a redesigned electric VSS that had a more squared-off plug. & again, as Brian described,.. there were 2 versions that were 'driven' gear tooth count dependent. All 84-92 electric VSSs used the same/compatible 'driven' speedometer gears; electric VSS 'driven' gears are not compatible with Cable VSSs.




BE SURE to look at the color of the speedometer DRIVE gear that's mounted on the tranny tailshaft. BE SURE that you know what your rear end gears are. Once those 2 things are confirmed you can determine exactly what VSS and what speedo 'driven' gear you need for an accurate/working Speedometer. I've got some spare speedo gears and sensors,... so LMK if don't have everything you need.

 

Obviously the Two well educated gentlemen above beat me to it!


OP, you're in good hands!

 

John knew all the details

 

I already found the solution to the problem with the newer updated VSS that comes with the jumper harness and all is well now. My post was to just see how many others have seen or experienced the style of VSS my car came with and how even in the same year car with the same engine and transmission could have the newer magnetic pickup style.

I do appreciate all the help though.

 

Yup!
We are Definitely very familiar with the different Versions/ Designs of the VSS used, as well as the different mating Electrical Connectors that correspond.

Many people have had to change from one type to another.

 

@scottycamaroz28

What's important to know is that you need to check your replacement VSS to be sure that it's going to work for the Driven gear you have. I see that you've got one - just be sure it's the RIGHT one.