454 engine vss

[raveson]

I am looking for the vss (variable speed sensor) lead on my 1989 345 454 engine to install a new electronic cruise control. Hopefully there is one?

[klattu]

Bad news...
Your 89 may be on a 88 frame.

Good news...
Most aftermarket Cruse Controls have a way of sensing speed from driveshaft.

Yours could have one if a 'late' 88

[overlander63]

Are you sure the VSS isdn't the Vehucle Speed Sensor? Goes in the tailshaft of the transmission, and supplies signals for the speedometer, cruise control, and rear ABS if equipped.

[scottanlily]

Terry is correct ,its a vehical speed sensor .typically on the speedo cable
assembly on early truck with two wires coming from it .Its round and normally greyish silver in color .Most aftermarket (non original ) cruise control units do
in fact use the drive shaft for attaching a magnet that will rotate with the shaft to give rotation counts to the pickup piece that also come in the kit.
should your rig not have a VSS originally.Some may pick up the signal the
other way around ,where the rotational piece attached to the driveshaft
is sensed by the magnetic pickup thats fixed near the rotating shaft.In any
event ,thats whats going on there.you can get the VSS aftermarket
to go in between the speedo cable and the trans output with the two wires
if you need that type .

Scott

[Howard Lefkowitz]

Originally Posted by raveson

I am looking for the vss (variable speed sensor) lead on my 1989 345 454 engine to install a new electronic cruise control. Hopefully there is one?

I have a 1990 (1989 chassis) 345, 454 engine in which the sensor locked up and had to be replaced. It is a plug in and is located between a short cable from the transmission and the long speedometer cable. Unless, you have a "Gear Vendors" unit. My sensor locked up and destroyed the transmission pick-up gear. If you need one let me know and I will provide the company and part number. The new sensor was $20. The cruise control was a DANA. Your year Classic was all mechanical with maybe an option for electronic. In 1991 they went to an electronic unit vss. The electronic vss was attached to the back of the speedometer head (yes behind the dash) if you purchased this option. I have never run into an electronic system before 1991.