Possible VSS failure?

[CrashCarson]

So I was driving home from school today and as I was going out of the parking lot I didn't notice, but as I went on the highway I realized that the truck wouldn't shift gears (I was in Drive). The speedometer was a zero the whole time (this really freaked me out since I was taking a friend home) but the abs light was on also. Finally it changed gears, speedo stared moving, and the abs light went off.

I drove later today to see what was working and if it would do it again. I drove out of the driveway, wouldn't switch gears, abs light on and speedo was at zero. Then I pulled over, turned the truck off and back on (whole time in D)- every thing was fine as a backed out and drove for about 10 sec...then the speedo dropped to zero and the abs light came on. Drove for a little and pulled into a gas station. PRN all work and this time I turned it off, started it and put it in 3. Stayed it 3 but wouldn't shift to 2, 1, or D to upshift. Not entirely sure what this is...It's a 97 k1500 5.7 Just got it back running recently so there's still a few problems (leaking water, weird squeaking sound when driving slow)

Help? Is this VSS failure? (I don't know a whole lot about cars)
How would I fix this?
Thanks

 

[bow61509]

that what it sounds like,to me the vss went out on my 96 before, and I had all the same symptoms minus shifting since mine was a manual. it's super easy to fix though it's only got one bolt holding it in,and a pig tail that plugs into it. mine was on the drivers side closer to the tail of the Trans but I'm not sure on yours being auto, hope this helps some

Sent from my static android

 

[1997chevydriver]

it's on the tcase. same description that dean said just a little farther back. also if you can start the vehicle in any gear besides park or neutral the neutral safety switch is bad too.....

 

[bow61509]

thanks for that p1 I didn't even catch he had a 4x4

Sent from my static android

 

[CrashCarson]

Thanks I'll try fixing it this weekend. I'll also try starting it in something other than P or N didn't know about that.

 

[1997chevydriver]

Only reason i mentioned the safety switch is because you said you started it in 3rd. That switch won't have anything to do with the vss. Issue

 

[chevy-92]

If your abs light is coming on than you may have a wheel speed sensor that is bad or you have a bad wheel bearing.

 

[bow61509]

that's the reason the abs light is coming on the vss gets the rear wheel speed and if it's going out not only will the speedo not work but I won't know how fast the rear wheels are turning resulting in an abs light

Sent from my static android

 

[Fallsey]

so did that VSS sensor change fix it? I also have a 97 K1500 5.7L and the same thing just started happening to mine. happened a couple times in the past few weeks and now almost daily.