I have a 4L60E behind an LT1 which is in a 4WD setup. When doing the conversion to 4WD you need to move the VSS from the tailhousing into the transmission case. A reluctor wheel is bolted onto the shaft. I've had this setup running for about 8 years with no issues but I had some transmission work done recently and I started getting error code 97 - VSS Circuit Fault. So I figure the sensor has finally gone bad. I pull the sensor which is just a little below the shaft and well above the pan. And tranny fluid starts coming out of the hole.

1) Should there be any transmission fluid in that back part of the tranny?
2) If so should the level be that high?
3) Are reluctor rings and VSS sensors meant to operate with a coating of tranny fluid on them?

Thanks,
Whit

 

Hi,
It sounds like you have the Stealth Conversions reluctor ring, which is a part I designed and manufacture.
http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Spe..._Reluctor.html
There is always oil in the back part of the transmission -- an oil spray hole in the back of the case sprays oil onto the yoke for 2wd applications. In your application, the oil will lubricate the seal at the transfer case.
The reluctor ring and sensor are designed to operate with transmission fluid on them.
Most likely, since you had no problems in eight years, the sensor or wiring got damaged when the transmission work was recently performed.
The resistance across the sensor is normally about 1.2 k ohm. If it is too low, it probably has a short, if it is too high, it may have an open. If it is ok, then it is possible the wiring between the sensor and the ecm is the problem.
VSS sensors do occassionally fail in all sorts of applications, but in your case, it is not from the oil.

 

Yes it is the Stealth conversion. I met the guy when he first started the business, he even came down and took a bunch of pictures of my vehicle. The transmission work was pretty minor, they just replaced the filter. I was concerened that they overfilled the tranny but but the dipstick read fine and the tranny ran fine. Great tip on the the resistance, it checks out at 1.32 Ohms. Is that in the ball park or too high?

Thanks,
Whit