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P0500: Vehicle speed sensor malfunction

The ECU is not getting a proper vehicle speed signal. Usually the sensor, its connector, the wiring or a problem with the ABS wheel sensors.

Code P0500 at a glance
CodeP0500
SystemEngine and transmission
GroupP05xx, Speed, idle and auxiliary inputs
TypeGeneric: it means the same on every make
Can you keep driving?With care

What P0500 means

The ECU needs to know road speed for idle control, the automatic gearbox, the speedometer and other functions. On some cars it comes from a sensor on the gearbox, on others from the ABS wheel sensors. This code means that signal is missing or invalid.

Most common causes

  • Loose or corroded speed sensor connector
  • Damaged wiring between sensor and ECU
  • Faulty speed sensor
  • Fault in the ABS wheel sensors or module, where the signal comes from there
  • Worn sensor drive gear in the gearbox

Symptoms

  • Speedometer not working or jumping
  • Automatic gearbox shifting badly or staying in one gear
  • Unstable idle or stalling when coming to a stop
  • Cruise control not working
  • Engine warning light on, sometimes with the ABS light

Can you drive with P0500?

With care You can drive with care, but without a reliable speedometer and with the gearbox or ABS possibly affected. Get it checked soon.

How to check it

Compare the scanner’s vehicle speed reading with the GPS speed on your phone while someone else drives. If it reads zero or jumps, also check for ABS fault codes.

How to read and clear P0500 with Final OBD

Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0500 with this same explanation and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.

With Free you read this code with its short description for nothing, and clear it if the engine stores it over standard OBD. With Pro you get the full explanation, how the car was running when it was logged (revs, temperature, load) and clearing in every control unit.

Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before the ITV. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in the ITV and OBD.

Similar codes

P0500 is a generic code, so it means the same on any make, for example on BMW, Citroën, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Volvo. See what Final OBD does on your car in makes and models.

What does code P0500 mean?

The ECU needs to know road speed for idle control, the automatic gearbox, the speedometer and other functions. On some cars it comes from a sensor on the gearbox, on others from the ABS wheel sensors. This code means that signal is missing or invalid.

Can you drive with P0500?

You can drive with care, but without a reliable speedometer and with the gearbox or ABS possibly affected. Get it checked soon.

How do you clear P0500?

With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P0500 comes back.