7 volts on Vehicle Speed Sensor VSS output wire

OK my speedometer quit working this winter, I checked all the connectors and cleaned all my grounds. I have also replaced the VSS sensor, I checked the VSS Pinion Gear and it is good as well. I checked the ground in my VSS, the input wire is reading 5V, but the VSS output wire is also reading 7Volts in! I checked it at the connector under the hood same result.

1) could a bad clockspring cause this? ( I ask because my horn quit working for about a week as well but came back... ) I really don't want to drop $120 for to eliminate the clockspring and it not be the issue.

2) any suggestions on where to look.

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

1995 Cherokee 2wd AW4 4.0

First guess would be a ground issue. there are likely multiple power sources grounding at the same point, if the ground is bad no telling how the power is going to flow.