Toyota Celica P0500: VSS – Circuit Malfunction

P0500 OBDII Trouble Code that can affect the Toyota Celica‘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.

For many vehicle functions, the Celica uses this signal. This signal controls transmission shifts and ABS. It also helps to control cruise control, speedometer, ABS, and other vehicle functions. It should be fixed as soon as possible.

Toyota Celica P0500 Symptoms

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.

• 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. It's the The Odometer This may cause problems.
• 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 You might notice a shift that is different from what you are used to.
• Anti-Lock Brakes– The Celica’s ABS may not work or could be compromised. VSS is one part of a more complex set of sensors which prevent the wheels from locking at high break pressure.

Toyota Celica: P0500 Causes

• Bad VSS– More often than not, when P0500 is thrown, replacing the Vehicle Speed Sensor will remedy the problem. These are It's also quite affordable.
• 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, the Celica won't be able determine the VSS readings. It would be great to take a good look at your harness. It should be plugged in every step. 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.

These P0500 reasons will be why the code was thrown the majority of the times. 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.

Fix P0500

The Wiring Harness should be inspected first. If it looks great, then take a closer look at 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

It can be difficult to diagnose P0500 problems in the Toyota Celica. Don’t skip checking the wiring harness first. Have fun!