Drive DTC
Sign in Get Drive DTC

Trouble code libraryIdle, speed and cruise

P0500 No vehicle speed signal

Generic SAE definitionVehicle speed sensor A

Drive gentlyYou can drive it, but take it easy and get it looked at soon – waiting usually makes the repair bigger.

Check this first

Note whether the speedometer and cruise control still work – that tells the shop where to look.

What usually fixes it

In the order a good shop checks them. Typical total: $140–$424 at $130 an hour.

  1. Vehicle speed or wheel speed sensor

    $155–$375

    A failed sensor takes out the speed signal, cruise and sometimes ABS.

  2. Wiring to the sensor

    $171–$394

    Chafed wiring near the wheel or gearbox.

Code titles are the generic SAE definitions. Prices are typical US parts and labor for a common car or light truck – a guide for judging a quote, not a quote. Always confirm a repair against the vehicle in front of you.

Drive DTC

See what your vehicle says about P0500

A stored code is a headline, not the story. The vehicle also holds the conditions from the moment the code set, how close each part is to the limit it fails at, what the fuel trims are doing, and whether the fault is still happening. Drive DTC reads all of it with a USB adapter and a Windows PC – read-only by design.

  • Free to start
  • Codes in plain English
  • One-time purchases, no subscription
Get Drive DTC Check a VIN for recalls
Diagnose · Trouble codes
The Trouble codes screen in Drive DTC: stored, pending and permanent counts, then C0040-13 explained in plain English with what to check first, likely fixes in order and typical cost ranges

More in Idle, speed and cruise

All 7 codes in this group
P0506Idle air control system RPM lower than expected P0507Idle air control system RPM higher than expected P0520Engine oil pressure sensor/switch A circuit P0562System voltage low P0563System voltage high P0571Brake switch A circuit