Speed Sensor Failure

[Elfenstar]

*Grumbles*

 

Yeap, that happened to my 4mth old Demio. Was on the TPE from Woodlands to Siglap when it happened.

 

Anyway I figured that I should make a mention of the symptoms just in-case this happens to anyone else. Please note that your car is still 100% driveable (imagine you're driving an AE86 ), just make sure you exercise due caution.

 

If you have electric power steering (EPS) or Variable Assist Steering (VAS)

1) The steering wheel with the exclamation mark will come on.

2) The steering will become heavy since the EPS and VAS cannot tell what speed you are at and gives minimal assistance (please remember that it will be easier to turn if the car is in motion).

 

The generic symptoms

1) ABS light will come on (The ABS computer will not be able to tell if the wheels are locking up as there is no proper speed reading and thus will not work).

2) The "check engine" light will come on as the ECU will detect a malfunction in its data logging.

3) The exclamation mark (fault detected) light will come on.

3) The speedo will stop working along with the odometer, trip meter(s), and fuel consumption computer (if any).

4) Automatic/self-shifting manual cars may not shift as well as normal.

 

I'm hoping its just loose wiring, however the good news is that my warranty workshop (outsourced) doesn't care. They said "bring it in whenever you want" as every fault in the first year they're charging to Mazda Japan. 2nd and 3rd year onwards its their cost, but they also said its alright as the amount of faulty vehicles vs what my PI pays them means they still make money.

 

Here are two pics to show you what my dash looks like with the fault:

Edited April 21, 2009 by Elfenstar