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Subaru EJ25 Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS)

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Jenny Officially Full-On Dubber

352 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#450589
Another vehicle speed sensor alternative - maybe.

I'm tacking this on here to keep the VSS info together. I notice that the links on page 1 of this thread to the other VSS threads no longer work!

Anyway, I have been experimenting with some inductive gear tooth sensors, Turk part numbers Ni12U-M18-AN4X and Bi5-M18-AN6X. These were freebies, so not sure what they'd cost, but an equivalent by Automation Direct is the Centsable inductive proximity sensor type AK1-AN-2A, which retails for about $50.
These are open collector NPN output types. My idea is to mount the sensor so that it triggers off the hex cap bolt heads on the CV joint. They seem to work OK on the bench but I have not tried them on the car yet. the Ni12U can be mounted up to 8mm away from the bolt and still trigger, while the Bi5 must be mounted withing 5mm.
Like I said, I haven't tried it on the car. One thing to note is that the Subaru VSS expects to see 4 pulse/wheel revolution. Using the CV joint cap screws will give 6 pulses/rev. Not sure how well that will work, but I thought someone said the COR VDO part that goes between the speedo cable and speedo actually puts out more that 4 pulses/rev and that works fine.
OK, found it here - VDo part = 6 pulses http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=32115&page=1#pid272497


[ Edited on 25-1-2006 by Jenny ]

[ Edited on 25-1-2006 by Jenny ]

Transparu Seriously Crusin Dubber

154 posts · joined Feb 2003 ·

#451036
In my EJ22 I found the ECU is happy with 2 pulses per wheel revolution and has been running happily that way for maybe a year. Didn't try it with 6 though.
FWIW

Dave

robertocarlos Casual Dubber

44 posts · joined Sep 2009 ·

#793335
Hi all

Well it's my turn to have a crack at the vss issue. Now I know the ecru needs a vss so it doesn't flip out but I actually need a proper and correct signal as I am keeping my electronic subaru liberty dash. I know I can use a correction box to fine tune the final product, but how do i get the right signal the subaru ecru is looking for? Is 4ish the correct number or is it just good enough? So which of the following would be better?

1) use the setup seagull has used with a plat mounted to the outer cv and have hall effect sensor as per this post (by the way seagull what are your thoughts on this system now?)

2) attach a pulse generator to the end of the speedo cable and hope for the best?
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C12%2DV340%2D000

Thanks for your time and help

rocknrob Insano Dub Head

844 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#793340
if you are using the subaru instrument panel connect the speedo up as well...i made an adapter out of metal brake line and the ECU is happy. been that way for a couple of years. speedo reads too slow but its close enough to 2/3rds so if it reads 100 i'm doing 150...😁...one of these days i'll make a little stepup box...or maybe i won't😉

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#793343
My $25 DIY proxmity sensor VSS has been working flawlessly for the last 5000kms, and same setup is working in elconcreto too

speed is accurate upto 300mph 😂
and the computer doesnt have a tissy on the dyno cos the speed sensor isnt turning cos it runs off the back wheels

robertocarlos Casual Dubber

44 posts · joined Sep 2009 ·

#793360
So you have connected the vss to a digital speedo?

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#793390
Nope, I still run a stock speedo, but its just 5 pulses per wheel revolution same as stock subi VSS

It works off the axle so its 100% accurate

Hutcho Wolfsburg Wizard

528 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#793424
Could you guys that have functioning VSS setups please post some pics?

Cheers
Steve

gazman Seriously Crusin Dubber

101 posts · joined Jun 2007 ·

#793446
This is the one in our V6 lowlight -

We asked Pat Gardner at V6 conversions nicely, sent him an old speedo cable, and he made us this sensor. It screws onto the back of the speedo and then the stock cable screws onto the sensor. Has been working fine for a couple of years now....
The V6 Lowlight, see the build at - http://osp.metrohosting.info/kombiv6.html

Bugaru03 Commited Dubber

70 posts · joined Mar 2008 ·

#793461
gazman wrote:This is the one in our V6 lowlight -

We asked Pat Gardner at V6 conversions nicely, sent him an old speedo cable, and he made us this sensor. It screws onto the back of the speedo and then the stock cable screws onto the sensor. Has been working fine for a couple of years now....
I have the same sensor but different branch and it works fine to me for the last 15000kms!
...always there is someone faster than you...

www.bugaru.gr

robertocarlos Casual Dubber

44 posts · joined Sep 2009 ·

#793536
Question for Joel - where did you find that 5 pulses per revolution is the right number for the ecu? from what i've read most people run 4.

i'm having so much fun at the moment...hahahaha

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#793758
Maybe its 4 for the later engines but all my research for 90s engines like mine said 5 pulses and my donor Libertys speed sensor certainly gave 5 pulses per wheel revolution.

With the earlier ones it doesnt really matter, just as long as the ECU knows that the car is moving or not, Some people just run with 2 pulses,
Later ones use the vehicles speed to dictate what speed the rad fans run at.

Either way I feel its better than a pulse generator which makes the ECU think the car is permantly moving.

Heres my setup,
Its an inductive proxmity sensor, basically a metal detector.
I could run a speedo off it if need be but stock speedo aint broke



robertocarlos Casual Dubber

44 posts · joined Sep 2009 ·

#798264
Just another question about the type of pulses the ecru is expecting. Square wave? Amplitude? Length of each pulse? As mentioned previously I need to replicate the signal perfectly so the electronic subaru speedo doesn't flip out.

Cheers

ratbug aka toddy101

439 posts · joined Jan 2003 ·

#798290
robertocarlos wrote:Just another question about the type of pulses the ecru is expecting. Square wave? Amplitude? Length of each pulse? As mentioned previously I need to replicate the signal perfectly so the electronic subaru speedo doesn't flip out.

Cheers
By the success of all the different setups it looks like it doesnt matter too much. It wants a square wave, from GND to about 12V. Length or duty cycle probably doesnt matter, it probably works by counting the edge rise/or fall from 0 to 12V.
Sharbuilt Beach buggy with Subaru 2L Turbo
Thunderanch Riot with Subaru 2L Turbo
Manxter with FA20turbo
Click here for wiring looms

Hutcho Wolfsburg Wizard

528 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#798322
Joel,

Do you know if your prox switch is NPN or PNP? I've installed an NPN (ECU speed signal wire switches to ground, PNP output switches to 12 V) as I thought this is what the ECU should see as per the rest of devices in the wiring circuit.
Just interested to see what you're running.

Cheers,
Steve

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#798326
Hi Steve, its an NPN

is it the same looking unit as mine?
one of my mates in the US has just got one for his and its got all the same wiring, brown, black and blue

mines setup up brown is ignition power, blue is earth and black is ECU signal

pete wood 23 Windows of Awesome

6,828 posts · joined Jan 2004 ·

#798340
Bugaru03 wrote:
gazman wrote:This is the one in our V6 lowlight -

We asked Pat Gardner at V6 conversions nicely, sent him an old speedo cable, and he made us this sensor. It screws onto the back of the speedo and then the stock cable screws onto the sensor. Has been working fine for a couple of years now....
I have the same sensor but different branch and it works fine to me for the last 15000kms!
got one too. it runs on an EJ25 too. works great, no dramas
"stoopid is stronger than axles"
http://drivingnotpolishing.blogspot.com.au/

Mick058 Custom Title Time!

1,580 posts · joined Jan 2008 ·

#798404
pete wood wrote:
Bugaru03 wrote:
gazman wrote:This is the one in our V6 lowlight -

We asked Pat Gardner at V6 conversions nicely, sent him an old speedo cable, and he made us this sensor. It screws onto the back of the speedo and then the stock cable screws onto the sensor. Has been working fine for a couple of years now....
I have the same sensor but different branch and it works fine to me for the last 15000kms!
got one too. it runs on an EJ25 too. works great, no dramas
These gave me huge issues - the one that i had brought broke within a couple of hours. Got a new one, same thing happened. Looked the exact same. Not sure why mine kept failing.
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=67295 (myride)

Romans 10:9

robertocarlos Casual Dubber

44 posts · joined Sep 2009 ·

#799170
Hi all,

Thanks for everyones input. I've been doing some more research and according to a Subaru Diagnostics page the ideal siganl the ECU is looking for is 0V-5V with a length of approximately 100ms. Now its time to find something that will generate that kind of a signal.

flat_iv Seriously Crusin Dubber

107 posts · joined May 2005 ·

#799291
What I did and it works perfectly is to use a NPN prox switch and it reads off the front wheel studs. I drilled and tapped a hole in the front spindle. screwed in the prox. Been working for several years now. Using it with a 95 2.2 ECU.