Powertrain, generic · Vehicle speed, idle control and auxiliary inputs

P0500 Vehicle Speed Sensor A Circuit

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleRequired
Limp modePossible

The vehicle speed signal A comes, depending on the maker, from a sensor on the gearbox, the transmission output speed, the wheel speeds via ABS/ESP or a CAN message; CARB explicitly names it as an input to be monitored. P0500 is the general code for this signal. Ford checks plausibility: the car must be moving (high load, positive torque), yet the signal stays below 1–5 mph for 5 s; Ford diesels flag a missing CAN message after 0.5 s. GM's Saturn ION of 2004 used high load with below 3 mph for 6.2 s (MIL after two trips); GM's 2018 tables use P0502/P0503 instead. Cruise control is then disabled and substitute values are used.

Likely causes

ABS/ESP module or wheel speed sensor faulty (signal source)
Output speed sensor or vehicle speed sensor faulty or dirty (metal debris on the magnet)
Wire or connector open or shorted, corrosion
CAN communication fault (message missing)
Wrong tyre or axle data programmed

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Speedometer dead or jumping
  • Cruise control not working
  • Automatic shifts harshly or wrongly

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumDIY possible
Parts and labour€60–350
Time0.5–2 h

Typical range across vehicles; the real cost depends on what the testing finds.

What to check first

  1. Check speed reading on a scan tool
  2. Inspect sensor wiring
  3. Check ABS codes

Parts involved

vehicle speed sensorabs modulesensor wiringengine control module

Related codes

P0501P0502P0503P0720P0715P0571

References: newtonnet.co.uk, fordservicecontent.com, fordservicecontent.com, gsi.ext.gm.com.