Dodge Ram P0500: VSS – Circuit Malfunction

P0500 This OBDII code is used to troubleshoot the Dodge Ram‘s Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS). The VSS sends a signal to the engine’s computer letting it know how fast that the vehicle is going.

This signal is used by Ram for many functions. This helps to control the transmission shifts as well as ABS and cruise control. Repairing this should be a top priority.

Dodge Ram P0500 Signs

The symptoms will differ depending on which model year you are using and any other circumstances. These are some of the most frequent symptoms for P0500.

• Failed speedometer– Without a properly working vehicles speed sensor, the speedometer will not register any speed. It’ll just sit at 0 MPH while you are driving. It's the The Odometer It may not be possible.
• Cruise Control failure– When a vehicle is not getting a signal from the VSS, it’ll not let the cruise control engage. This makes sense since it can’t control the speed when it doesn’t know how fast it is going.
• Harsh Shifts It is possible for the transmission to shift in a different way than usual.
• Anti-Lock Brakes– The Ram’s ABS may not work or could be compromised. VSS is just one of many sensors in a complex system that prevents the wheels from locking when there's heavy breaking pressure.

Dodge Ram P0500 Causes

• Bad VSS– More often than not, when P0500 is thrown, replacing the Vehicle Speed Sensor will remedy the problem. They're Also, quite reasonable.
• Trouble with the wiring– Due to the location of the VSS, the wiring harness going from the vehicles computer to it can often become damaged and open/short out. If this happens, Ram won't be able determine the VSS readings. It would be safe to look at your harness. You must make sure it is properly plugged. You can then check to make sure that no frayed wiring exists. Here’s How to Check for a Short (YouTube).
• Tires– On some vehicles, P0500 can be thrown if the tires have been swapped to a size that is different from the factory setting.

P0500 is the main reason that the code has been thrown almost all the time. There is a possibility that your ECM/PCM may have gone wrong. It is important to not look at the first place, but instead the second.

Because of their location, it is possible for the wiring harness connecting to them to fail. It is a bad idea to replace it without checking it.

Fixed Price: P0500

The Wiring Harness should be inspected first. If everything looks fine, you can then inspect the VSS. Is there any visible damage to the VSS?

After you do that, (or before, if necessary), Useful scan tool) it’s time to test the sensor and see if the VSS signal goes up and down with the vehicle speed. If it doesn’t, replacing the sensor could fix the problem. If it does, you’ll have to test the rest of the circuit.

Conclusion

P0500 can be difficult to identify in a Dodge Ram. Don’t skip checking the wiring harness first. Have fun!