I just want to clarify a few things......

As to product quality.....
I do feel that smallcar should test the polarity of their magnets on vss's as part of their manufacturing process and have reason to believe that they do so now with the second generation vss is available.

My testing revealed that one of these fixes corrected a limp home mode condition with my OBD2 engine.  Brian at smallcar DID admit that the magnets could be reversed and DID notify me that I should reverse the magnets position as needed.

I did 2 things to enhance the stock first generation smallcar vss:
       * correct magnet polarity
       * add stronger magnets


The magnets I added to the vss are called "rare earth" magnets and are small disk shaped magnets, about 3/16" (4.8mm) in diameter, and are strong as.  Any doubt I had over how strong they were was quickly overcome as I pulled the first package off of the rack and all 12 packages behind it came along for the ride!  I simply stuck the new magnet directly to the end of the old magnet (it should magnetically attract in that position) and added some epoxy around the base to secure it.  I readjusted my vss sensor and retested.

Testing your vss:
Probably the easiest way to accomplish testing of your vss is as follows:

Note: I'm not your mom, teacher, policeman, so please practice safe mechanicking by securing the vehicle from rolling first!

     1)  Jack up the wheel that drives the vss to enable free turning of your tire/wheel/axle
     2)  Take your vanagon out of gear 
     3)  Connect a voltage meter to the subaru ecu vss terminal connection & to a reliable ground
                         1990-94 EJ22 = B11
                         1998-99 EJ22 = B24
                         1998-99 EJ25 = 83
                         2000-02 EJ25 = B135/24
                         2003 EJ25 = B137/10

     4)  Turn the ignition on
     5)  Rotate the wheel and watch the meter.  
The vss terminal at the ecu should display either a solid voltage signal interrupted by a lack of voltage when the magnet passes the sensor pickup.  so, turn your wheel and watch the voltmeter needle/readout.  When you pass a magnet, I'd expect a drop to zero in the voltage.  If you do not see this, your vss is malfunctioning, you do not have power feeding the vss, or your wiring connections are dodgy.
     6)  To test your vss magnet polarity:  Pass a magnet across the end of each of your vss's magnets.  You should feel a magnetic attraction or repulsion.  They should all feel the same.  The very best/easiest way is to test polarity of your magnets is to save a boyscout compass in front of each of the magnets.  You expect the red needle (which usually points to magnetic north) to zero in on your magnet.  If not, you need to reverse the magnets position on your vss ring.
-- 
Brent Weide
Portland, Oregon
www.weidefamily.net/vanagon/