98 Pathfinder VSS aftermarket solution

[missionstreet]

Hey all, someone please save me a trip to the junkyard on this cold December day and tell me there's an easier way!

My speed sensor just failed (P0500) and after soaking it I was so fortunate to be able to get it out of the transfer case without much fuss. Looks like the shaft siezed and allowed the gear to get chewed up.

My question is, is there a cheap aftermarket part? What was in there looked to have been already replaced but whatever it is looks EXACTLY like the "frontier" or older R50 VSS I see on ebay. A cheap knock off, not OEM.

Is it possible the frontier VSS works if you splice the harness?

I need the low down on it, Thanks!

[VStar650CL]

There are three different p/n's listed for the '98 Pathy. Two are discontinued by Nissan, but two of the three look to be available from either eBay or Rock Auto. If you want to shoot me your VIN, I can run it through FAST and see which one your ride is supposed to use. They're all 2-wire inductive and all look to fit in the same hole, but that means there's probably a different connector, different internal gearing, different number of magnets, etc. There are also three different pinions used, but they're all still available from Nissan and other sources. Same deal, only your VIN will tell which one is right.

[missionstreet]

Pm sent

[VStar650CL]

FAST shows you using a 25010-0W100 sensor, which is the one still available from Nissan. NissanParts deal has them for $182 or RockAuto for $157. Ebay has some for $99 in a Nissan box, but they may be gray market or clones. Your pinion p/n is 32743-74P19 and the E-lock is 32744-35F00, they're around $30 combined at NissanPartsDeal. The pinion is 19-tooth.

[missionstreet]

I guess I have a clone. Just pulled one from JY. Came out rather easy in 35°. Teeth look excellent. The first one i tried just broke, was in alot tighter maybe it was oem, both 98s.


No nissan symbol and just "OMO"
Looks exactly like the one I took off mine and it was 15$... plus I got a small heat shield I was missing for free.

[VStar650CL]

Cool beans. I don't think there's any part number stamp on the genuine part, so your guess is as good as mine. If it works for you, color both of us happy.

[missionstreet]

Yes thank you for the lookup again. How tight should the shaft be for a new sensor? I assume not free spinning but some resistance.

[VStar650CL]

There's a seal on it so a small amount of resistance is normal. It shouldn't be much.

[missionstreet]

All is working great! Thanks

Transfer case was also pretty low from a very very slow rear output seal leak that didn't seem obviously discernable to me from road grease...Glad I pulled the plug (and checked fluid level) with the intention to replace only what was lost from removing the broken sensor!