Is a Broken Speed Sensor Serious?

[AnastasiaFitz]

1. A broken speed sensor is serious and can have the following impacts on the vehicle: 1. The engine malfunction light will illuminate. 2. When starting the vehicle or slowing down to stop while driving, there may be momentary stalling or engine shutdown. 3. The engine's acceleration performance will decline. 4. The speed displayed on the dashboard will be inaccurate. 5. It can cause unstable engine idling, among other issues. 2. Here is some additional information: 1. Name and Classification: The speed sensor is fully named the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) and can be categorized into three types: magnetic, Hall-effect, and optical. 2. Function: It detects the speed of electronically controlled vehicles. The engine control unit (ECU) uses this input signal to manage engine idle speed, torque converter lock-up in automatic transmissions, automatic transmission shifting, engine cooling fan operation, cruise control, and other functions.

[SerenityFitz]

A faulty speed sensor is absolutely a major issue, and I've personally experienced it. I remember one time when my car's sensor malfunctioned, the speedometer completely stopped working. Driving on the road without knowing my speed was nerve-wracking, as I was constantly worried about getting a speeding ticket. Even worse, the anti-lock braking system (ABS) stopped functioning due to the lack of signal, making it nearly impossible to brake on wet and slippery roads during rain—I almost rear-ended another car, and it was downright terrifying. Additionally, the engine control unit couldn't receive accurate data, causing the power output to behave oddly—it felt like the car was struggling to accelerate. The most annoying part was that the cruise control also failed, making long-distance driving exhausting. My advice is: if you notice similar issues, don’t delay—get it checked at a repair shop immediately. This isn’t just about convenience; it directly affects driving safety. If an accident happens on the highway, the consequences could be unimaginable.

[LaOscar]

My car's speed sensor has failed twice, and each time it was incredibly annoying! First, the speedometer needle would get stuck, making driving feel like groping in the dark—guessing the speed by feel, which was nerve-wracking. Then, the cruise control stopped working, forcing me to keep my foot on the gas during long trips, leaving my leg sore and numb. Later, I realized it was affecting the transmission, causing noticeable jerks during gear shifts and making the car lurch. While it wasn’t an immediate crash risk, driving became uncomfortable, and if the ABS stopped working, braking distances would increase in emergencies, posing a real danger. I spent a bit to replace the part, and everything went back to normal. Now, I regularly check the wiring under the chassis to prevent aging. Don’t stress too much, but I’d recommend fixing it ASAP to avoid further issues.

[DiAbel]

When the vehicle speed sensor fails, many systems can be affected. It's typically a small component installed near the wheels, detecting wheel speed data and sending signals to the dashboard, engine control module, and systems like ABS. If it malfunctions, the speedometer may freeze or fluctuate erratically, while ABS and electronic stability control systems could fail, increasing the risk of skidding during turns or hard braking. Without speed data, the engine control module may inaccurately adjust fuel injection, leading to increased fuel consumption or sluggish acceleration. While not an immediate safety hazard, delaying repairs might cause damage to related components, such as overworking the ABS module, resulting in higher repair costs. A simple diagnostic can be performed using an OBD scanner.