On MK1 cars, so 98-04, MTX75 gearbox only.

Does it just work off a trigger wheel of some kind? What kind of output does it give?

 

I'm guessing the VSS is some kind of magnetic switch triggered by the one of the gears.

I do know that it's a pain in the arse to change!

 

This is what I was wondering. Luckily if I have to remove it, I can do it before the gearbox is fitted!

Effectively, I'm fitting a Focus type MTX75 into an older car (MK5 Escort) so was wondering if I could use the VSS output to feed into a digitial dash (this is to be custom made/programmed so will be fairly adaptable).

I was just interested to know how it worked and what kind of output it gave to see if it was possible, as I assume the Focus gearbox can't be made to use a more traditional cable drive as found on the base car, and it gives me a nice excuse to fit a fancy dash!

 

I've literally just finished changing my mk4 fiesta to a mtx75 gearbox, and had the same issue. I got around it by wiring in a mk5 fiesta instrument panel (I think fits into mk5 escort?) and that uses the pwm signal for the speed calculation.

Just a case of using the 2 wiring diagrams (one for your car and one for the car the instrument panel comes from) and solder the new plug into the car.

The vss uses an ignition live, earth, and then a signal wire.

Matt

 

does it not work the same as a cps?
the spinny bit from the cable turns a little metal thing which simply counts revolutions and turns them into electrica signals?

 

My intention is to make a custom dash (well, someone will be making it for me!), so I was hoping it would be something as simple as an outlook signal that could be read by something else. Wasn't sure if it might be some voodoo Ford only business.

That's my hope but, as I've never really looked at one before, I wasn't sure!

 

from my experience it's just a signal wire with a 3 pin plug on the end of it

it all depends on what it needs to feed though as some will do the ecu and dash and speedo and trip computer and all sorts while some older ones just tell the car it's moving or stationary

 

3 wire is typically hall effect and produce a square wave signal.

ie off/on/off/on/off/on

Voltage thresholds for that off on will depend on the sensor and it's power supply. So could be anything from 5v to 12v.

2 wire is typically magnetic and will produce a sine wave of sorts with voltage rising with speed

Your dash may only be able to accommodate one type of signal. Although you could buy a convertor thingy that would change the signal.
Jaycar do a speedo convertor kit that does that and also allows you to re-calibrate the signal too so the output pulse is +/- 100% compared to the input.