P0500 means Vehicle Speed Sensor A Malfunction. The computer is not getting a valid vehicle speed signal. On many vehicles the speed signal comes from the transmission output speed sensor or the ABS wheel speed sensors. It is a generic OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on any make, but the most likely cause varies by engine; confirm with a scan tool and the service information for your vehicle before buying parts.
What P0500 means
Most engine sensors receive a 5-volt reference and return a signal between roughly 0 and 5 volts. Codes ending in circuit high or circuit low usually point to an electrical fault: an open circuit, a short or an unplugged connector. Range/performance codes mean a signal is present but disagrees with what the computer expects from the other sensors, which more often points to a dirty sensor, an air leak or a mechanical problem.
P0500 symptoms
- Speedometer not working or erratic
- Erratic shifting or no upshifts
- Cruise control not working
- ABS or traction warning lights on some vehicles
Common causes of P0500
- Failed vehicle speed sensor
- Wiring or connector damage
- Damaged tone ring
- ABS module faults on vehicles that share the signal
How to diagnose P0500
- Check whether the speedometer works
- Inspect the sensor and wiring
- Compare vehicle speed with wheel speed readings on a scan tool
Can you drive with P0500?
With caution: shifting, cruise control and the speedometer may be unreliable.
P0500 tips
On many vehicles the speed signal comes from the transmission output speed sensor, so P0500 often appears alongside erratic shifting. On others it is calculated from the ABS wheel speed sensors, and an ABS fault code points to the real cause.
Will P0500 clear itself?
If the fault stops, the computer turns off the check engine light by itself after several drive cycles without seeing it again, and the code stays in memory as history for a while. Clearing P0500 with a scan tool after a repair is fine, but if the cause is still there the code returns, sometimes within one drive. Disconnecting the battery also clears codes on most vehicles, but it erases learned fuel trims and idle settings as well.
Related codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P0720 | Output Speed Sensor Circuit |
| P0715 | Input/Turbine Speed Sensor A Circuit |
| P0700 | Transmission Control System Malfunction |
Guides that help
- wheel speed sensor
- ABS and traction control light
- transmission control module
- transmission solenoid symptoms
When it is more than a sensor
Sensor codes are usually fixed with a sensor, a connector, wiring or a leak repair rather than major parts. If testing turns up internal engine trouble instead, see how to tell if an engine is blown and compare engines by code on our engines page.
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