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Will missing VSS teeth damage my AW4 transmission?

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Old Jul 9, 2018 | 02:11 PM
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JTE Brett's Avatar
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Default Will missing VSS teeth damage my AW4 transmission?

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
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Old Jul 9, 2018 | 02:24 PM
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Have you checked the gear inside the trans that runs the speedo gear ? it also could be bad .
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Old Jul 9, 2018 | 03:32 PM
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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.
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Old Jul 9, 2018 | 06:38 PM
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Wow that looks real good , maybe they had installed it in the wrong position . or maybe the speed sensor is getting hard to turn .
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Old Jul 9, 2018 | 06:46 PM
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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.
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Old Jul 9, 2018 | 06:48 PM
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Disregard - Double post

Last edited by JTE Brett; Jul 9, 2018 at 09:24 PM.
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Old Jul 9, 2018 | 08:43 PM
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The filter will keep the plastic from getting into any of the valves in the trans .
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Old Jul 12, 2018 | 12:12 AM
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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
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Old Mar 2, 2020 | 12:53 AM
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hey, Your transmission is automatic ? 4x4 ? I have an 4x2 Aw4 transmission, and I don't know the stocked number of teeth and if is it fit an long or short version of pinion gear ? Thanks for your reply
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Old Mar 2, 2020 | 09:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Carlos Santiago
hey, Your transmission is automatic ? 4x4 ? I have an 4x2 Aw4 transmission, and I don't know the stocked number of teeth and if is it fit an long or short version of pinion gear ? Thanks for your reply

there you go.
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Old Mar 5, 2020 | 05:24 PM
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If i remember the speedo gear sits in the output shaft of the transfer case. A little plastic shouldn't hurt that but you can drain and refill if you want its a lot easier than a tranny drain and refill
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Old Mar 5, 2020 | 05:27 PM
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The cruise control cant work if it doesnt know how fast the car is going
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