OK, so I took the truck out for the first time in the snow yesterday (we had snow for thanksgiving, but took the wife's car). I was driving down the highway, and my speedometer suddenly went nuts, and then died. When I got home, I crawled underneath, pulled the VSS off and cleaned it. Here are my questions:

1. Could this be a sign that my VSS is dying, or does it just get road crud in it sometimes?

2. It wasn't really bolted on or anything, just pulled off (although not real easily). Is this normal, or should the part that is bolted onto the transfer case be attached to the VSS?

Either way, at least for now, my speedo is working right again.

 

The VSS has a big nut that should screw onto the threaded "nubbin" on the transfer case. Mine cruds up every 6 months or so. It seems that the little amount that my transmission does leak all ends up inside the VSS! I clean it with some contact cleaner and all is good for another 6 months!