Subaru Outback P0500: VSS – Circuit Malfunction

P0500 This OBDII code is used to troubleshoot the Subaru Outback‘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 the Outback for many functions. This signal controls transmission shifts and ABS. It also regulates cruise control, speedometer, ABS, and other vehicle functions. It should be fixed as soon as possible.

Subaru Outback P0500 Symptoms

Your symptoms may vary depending upon the year of your vehicle and other factors. However, these are the most prevalent symptoms of P0500.

• Tempoometer failure– 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. You can see 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 Outback’s ABS may not work or could be compromised. VSS is only one part of the complex set of sensors which prevent the wheels locking under high break pressure.

Subaru Outback - P0500 Causes

• Bad VSS– More often than not, when P0500 is thrown, replacing the Vehicle Speed Sensor will remedy the problem. These are Also, quite reasonable.
• The Wiring Problem– 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, Outback won't be able determine the VSS readings. You can look at the harness from a safe distance. It should be plugged in every step. You can then check to make sure that no frayed wiring exists. Here’s What to do if you have a problem? (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 was not thrown 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.

The wiring harness that leads to VSS can sometimes fail due to its location. It is a bad idea to replace it without checking it.

Fix P0500

You should inspect the Wiring Harness first. If everything is in order, you can then inspect the VSS. Is there any visible damage to the VSS?

If you've done it before, or even earlier if you are lucky), you can go back to work. Good 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

The Subaru Outback's P0500 problem can be tricky to identify. Don’t skip checking the wiring harness first. Have fun!