Speed and idle control
P0500 — Vehicle Speed Sensor A
The ECU receives no valid vehicle speed signal or a signal that disagrees with other data. Speed-dependent functions such as shifting, cruise control and the speedometer may not work correctly.
Common causes
- Faulty vehicle speed sensor
- Damaged wiring or connector
- Faulty ABS wheel speed sensor or ABS module (when used for speed)
- Damaged tone ring or reluctor
- Transmission output speed sensor fault
Symptoms
- Speedometer not working or erratic
- Cruise control not working
- Harsh or abnormal shifting
- Check engine light, possibly ABS light
How to check
- Check the sensor connector and wiring
- Compare vehicle speed on the scan tool with real speed
- Check ABS wheel-speed signals and the output speed sensor
- Inspect the tone ring and replace the sensor if needed
Can you keep driving?
Drivable, but without a speedometer or with abnormal shifting it can be unsafe or illegal. Repair it soon.
Related codes
Frequently asked questions
- What does P0500 mean?
- The ECU gets no valid or plausible vehicle speed signal.
- Why does P0500 affect shifting?
- Automatic transmissions use vehicle speed to decide when to shift.
General reference information. It does not replace a diagnosis on your own vehicle. The same code can have different causes depending on make, model year and engine; check the manufacturer's documentation or ask a technician with a scan tool.