I've been doing a lot of Google searches on how to replace the VSS on my 98 CL but all I find is information about how to swap the VSS for a CL with an automatic transmission. My car is manual and I'm having an issue removing the part.

Some background: The speedometer/odometer isn't working and the car is running really rough. I get a code which is basically pointing at the VSS (0500) and so I picked up a new part from autozone. I figure a part being held in with one bolt and an electrical connector can't be that bad to change, right? Wrong.. I can get to the part, get the bolt out, but I can't pull the part out. Is there some trick to getting this thing out?

 

I had to replace mine. And yes it was just one bolt and it came out. With a plug on one end, a gear on the other end. Not having a working VSS will make your car run in limp mode because in order for vtec to kick in (yo!) it has to sense speed and oil pressure. Just try pulling on it harder. Straight up and out.

 

Thanks for getting back to me. For a few reasons I wasn't able to get back to trying to get the part out, so I took it in to the dealer to get their take (I was worried about other things as well).

They say it isn't the VSS but it's the PCM ><

So, where would I get a PCM for my car? How do I know I'm getting the right one?

 

PCM like ecu/car computer? I had to replace that in my car as well. Haha. There is a number on your stock PCM, on a little sticker w a bar code. It's vehicle specific. You can find it under the right side carpet, where the passengers front feet would be. Pull the carpet back and you'll see the ecu inside a housing. I think it's a couple 10mm nuts or bolts to take out. Once you get it out you'll be able to pull it from the metal housing and should be able to locate the sticker with the Ecu/PCM number. When you change it out just make sure your battery is unhooked. Then unplug the ecu and plug in the new one. Also you can just type your car info into google like this "1999 acura CL 2.3 5 speed ecu number". I found mine on eBay for like $75 shipped. Luckily it worked. Once I changed it I noticed the stumble was gone and the car ran a lot better. But that was just the tip of the iceberg for my car. Post on here if you have anymore questions. I'm not an ace mechanic but I've done just about all the r&r to my car myself.

 

Thanks a lot! I really appreciate the help.

I managed to do a little digging on this and have a question. Am I going to have to worry about an immobilizer when I swap out the PCM? Like, if i disconnect my current one, and put in the new one, will I be able to start the car without reprogramming it? What about the current PCM? If something goes wrong, can I just drop my current one back in or will settings be lost?

As for right now, is there any chance that driving the car as it is will harm it further? I mean, she runs like crap now and I feel like it's about to die everytime I stop at a light... but I'm not sure if it's still "safe" to drive or if there's a chance that I could end up damaging something else.

Thanks again for your help.

 

Yes. When I swapped out the PCM I took the new one to the honda dealership. I told them I need the new one plugged in and the immobilizer fixed or swapped it whatever it is they do. They knew exactly what I needed. I had everything ready for them to plug the new one in so all they had to do was plug it in and reset/reprogram the immobilizer. I think it cost about $70-$80 for them to do that.

 

As far as driving it the way it is-I would recommend getting a new PCM as soon as you can. Your car is probably running rich or lean and can cause a variety of issues later down the road. I had my car for about 3 months before I changed out the PCM and noticed a huge difference in the way it ran.