P0501: Vehicle speed sensor range/performance
The speed signal is there, but it does not match engine revs and the gear selected. Usually the sensor, the wiring or non-standard wheels.
| Code | P0501 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P05xx, Speed, idle and auxiliary inputs |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | With care |
What P0501 means
The ECU compares the speed signal with other data, such as engine revs, the gear selected and load. If the value is implausible or jumps about, it sets this code. Sometimes the cause is a change of wheel or tyre size, or a sensor that fails now and then.
Most common causes
- Dirty speed sensor or one failing intermittently
- Poor contact at the connector or a chafed wire
- Wheels or tyres of a different size from standard
- Fault in an ABS wheel sensor, where the speed comes from there
- ECU settings not matching the car after a repair
Symptoms
- Speedometer reading oddly or jumping
- Automatic gearbox with harsh or badly timed shifts
- Cruise control cutting out
- Engine warning light on
Can you drive with P0501?
With care You can drive with care, but do not trust the speedometer and the gearbox may misbehave. Get it checked soon.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
Record vehicle speed and engine revs on your scanner during a drive: if speed drops to zero or jumps while revs stay steady, the fault is in the sensor or its wiring.
How to read and clear P0501 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 P0501 with its description and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.
If the engine stores it over standard OBD, with FREE you read this code with its explanation for nothing and clear it. With PRO you also read the faults of every control unit and clear them in all of them.
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 an inspection. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in inspections and OBD.
Similar codes
- P0500 Vehicle speed sensor malfunction
- P0502 Vehicle speed sensor circuit low input
- P0503 Vehicle speed sensor intermittent, erratic or high
- P0504 Brake switch A/B correlation
- P0505 Idle control system malfunction
- P0506 Idle speed lower than expected
- P0507 Idle speed higher than expected
- P0513 Incorrect immobiliser key
- P0520 Oil pressure sensor/switch circuit malfunction
What does code P0501 mean?
The ECU compares the speed signal with other data, such as engine revs, the gear selected and load. If the value is implausible or jumps about, it sets this code. Sometimes the cause is a change of wheel or tyre size, or a sensor that fails now and then.
Can you drive with P0501?
You can drive with care, but do not trust the speedometer and the gearbox may misbehave. Get it checked soon.
How do you clear P0501?
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, P0501 comes back.
Read it on your car
Final OBD reads and clears engine faults through standard OBD for free, each one explained in plain English. With PRO it also reads the faults of every control unit, each make’s own codes included, and clears them in all of them.
