Howdy,

I picked up a 98 XJ two months ago. I changed the ATF right away because it was dark red, but didn’t notice any contaminants at the time.

The speedo and odometer haven’t worked since I bought it, and I’m finally working on the issue. I just pulled the VSS and the pinion teeth were worn down to nubs. I’m replacing the pinion but I’m curious if those teeth could still be floating around in the ATF? They don’t look like they broke off so much as just ground down over time.

What are your opinions - could I have plastic debris sitting in my trans pan? And if this is possible, is it harmful to the trans? Do these teeth wind up in the pan, or up in the filter?
Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge.
Brett VSS 35-tooth Pinions. Left pinion missing gear teeth

From what I can see it looks like the splines are intact. Mounting location for VSS in AW4 automatic transmission. Helical gear at top right engages VSS pinion.

The junkyard sensor spins slightly “looser” than the one from my XJ so that’s the one I installed, as well as the J/Y pinion. I’m still debating whether to pull the pan and/or filter before I refill the trans fluid.

Thanks, Tech.

I decided to leave the transmission filter change for another day. Everything is back together and I finally have a working speedometer and odometer. I wasn’t expecting my cruise control to suddenly start working, but now I have that too. I guess it just needed a working speedo input.

I appreciate the help,
Brett