75 cruiser

Anyone know where I can buy a VSS for the 1st Gen, 3.2TL without spending a fortune? So far I have found two locations. Acura, for $150 and an online place for $120. For some reason the TL sensor is much more expensive than other Acura models. The sensor for Honda's and other Acura's, including the 2nd gen TL, are much less than $100. If I knew for sure that the VSS was the cause, I would probably pay the $120.

The Acura P/N is 78410SL4003. The 78410SV4003 model, used on Honda's, is available on EBAY for only $30. Which seems to be the going rate from other vendors.

My speedo and cruise control don't work and I am getting a 1791 trouble code. So, according to the speedometer, I am going nowhere and getting lousy gas mileage.

Thanks.

TexasHonda

I found same situation for my 97 2.5TL. I ordered the accord unit and transferred the parts to the frame of my original defective unit. there is only a rotating element and coil easily removed w/ screwdriver. There may be a thin washer shim that may/may not be needed. You could use the rotor from your unit and only the pickup coil from the new unit. Pickup coil is what fails, due to heat.

BTW, the frame of my 2.5TL was similar but slightly different due to mounting position, so the parts were not interchangeable. Your's may be the same part as 2.5TL, but I don't know.

good luck

Go90go

I have 78410-SZ3-003 available, but I've found a 78410-SL4-003 for $111.90 before shipping. The part is the same for the Vigor, so it should be the same for a 2.5.

~Cheers~

75 cruiser

Thanks TexasHonda. I have found that the sensor unit is the same for the 2.5 and 3.2. The Both use P/N 78410SL4003. The metal drive unit though, going into the Transmission, is different. I have found a used sensor on ebay, which hopefully is still good, but I would prefer to buy a new unit if the price isn't too bad. The Accord sensors are much cheeper. So, which Accord sensor did you use. Did you simply swap the internal parts from the Accord sensor body to your 2.5 sensor body?

Thanks

75 cruiser

Thanks Go90Go. I've also found an SL4 for $109 plus shipping. But still too much to pay on the chance that the sensor is the cause. As I told TexasHonda, I've found a used part on ebay, so I'll try that first.
Are you saying that the SZ3 is the same as an SL4?

Thanks.

Go90go

SZ3 was for $88 plus shipping brand new, used for $60 plus shipping. The $119 stated above, and the $88 for the SZ3 were from Delray Acura, not eBay or any other 3rd party. To answer your question, the positioning of the ATF lines is somewhat different, but I believe that they *might* work. The bolts lined up and the harness matched, but I'm not sure of the inner gear fitment.

~Cheers~

TexasHonda

I believe I used a 94-97 Accord Sensor, but I couldn't find the records to confirm. Looking at the pics, I think all the Honda/Acura sensors are basically identical electrically, but have different mounting frames.

good luck

75 cruiser

Hey. Thanks to both of you for the help. I have a used SL4 (for $25) coming in from ebay. If that doesn't work, I'll buy a 97 Accord part. They sell for approz. $12 also on ebay, new. The only difference in the marking is SV4 instead of SL4. Even thought the sensor body might be different (although it looks the same) it's hard to believe that the guts are same. Something has to justify the price difference.

I'll post a message with the result. It might help someone else in future.

TexasHonda

The difference on the sensor bodies is subtle and difficult to see in pictures. I thought they were the same when I ordered and came up w/ the parts swap-out strategy after I received the Accord sensor.

On the Accord body the height of the mounting lugs is same on both sides of the body. On the 2.5TL body, the mounting lugs are staggered w/ one higher than other.

good luck

75 cruiser

The used VSS arrived this morning and took only a few minutes to install. It fixed the problem. My speedometer and cruise now work fine.

Interestingly, I checked the Acura service manual for cruise control troubleshooting, to see if it also pointed to the VSS, but the VSS is not listed as a cause for the cruise control not working. It only list the VSS if the cruise speed is not stable.

75 cruiser

Forgot to thank you guys for the help. THANKS.

vvpatel12

Hey guys, I have the same problem where my speedometer is not working and transmission is hard in shifting between 1st and 2nd gear. I think it is VSS. However, my part number for VSS is 78410-SL4-003 but it is very expensive ($120). I see that you guys said i could use honda or other VSS. Can you please let me know which VSS i could use instead of above. I saw 97 honda accord vss for $18 on ebay (78410-SV4-003). I was wondering if I can use this? Thanks for your help.

TexasHonda

Read this thread closely. We don't say you can substitute an Accord VSS for the Acura VSS. Rather you can swap the "guts" from the Accord sensor to the Acura body. That's what I did for my 2.5TL. Only have to remove three screws from body to remove internal parts and swap.

Any 94-97 Accord VSS should be a donor. Note, I said "should be". You're on your own when you do stuff like this.

good luck

vvpatel12

Hey, Thanks Texashonda.

jmb106

thanks to everyone who posted this information.I used a vss off a 96 RL part # 78410-SZ3-003 on my 98TL 3.2. works great and it is a little different design to the electronic part(the guts). the body is exactly the same.