'95 960 Auto Transmission Fault (Dreaded W S E flashing lights, P0500 fault). New speed sensor?

[rossbaynham]

Hi guys,

Having a headache with my 1995 960 2.5L Auto...

Problem/symptoms:

- Flashing orange up arrow on dash
- Flashing W S E beside gear selector
- Speedo works intermittently (goes on and off randomly, usually off)
- When speedo cuts out, the car shifts up about 500-1k too late (3-3.5k) and engine feels strained during shifts, I believe this is either winter or limp mode but the car is still pretty drivable.
- When I take my foot off the accelerator, after a few seconds I feel a fairly subtle almost pulse-like braking (hard to tell is this is engine breaking or the abs/some kind of electronic breaking!? I believe the ABS sensor is the same as the speed sensor..
- Today on the motorway, the car would rev up and down like clockwork without me pressing the throttle, as if the auto box was trying to change down a gear every 2 seconds or so. That happened for 10 miles then stopped once I got onto lower speed roads..

Basically all of this points to the Vehicle Speed Sensor on the transmission, but the deeper I get into the forums, the more people say these don't actually break very often? Should I replace it and see? Could it be the wiring?

I plugged in a machine and it gave me the P0500 VSS code..

I have already had the PNP/Neutral Safety Switch replaced as it wouldn't let me turn the car on in park, so it's not that.

Any help much appreciated, but I suppose I should just replace this damn VSS and see what happens...

[TripleThreat719]

I am experiencing the same issue with my 1996 960 Sedan. I have replaced the speed sensor on the rear of the differential, along with the electrical connector to the sensor. Additionally, I have repair damage to the two conductor wire that runs into the trunk and connects, via a plastic connector inside a plastic box in the drivers side rear wheel area in the trunk. I made the wiring repairs with a soldering iron and have everything covered in heat shrink tubing where any repairs were made. I have also verified continuity of the wire between the sensor and the connector in the trunk. I've inspected the electrical connections on the ABS module on the passenger side of the engine compartment and all connections are clean, dry and show no signs of corrosion. This car was purchased by my father, brand new for my mother, and I am the second owner.

I will inspect the wiring to the front wheel speed sensors today to see if there are any issues with the wiring to either of those sensor. How easy is the VSS to get to on top of the transmission? Can it be reached without having to drop the transmission?