P0503: Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) Intermittent

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 30 other vehicles, including the 2004 Mercury Sable, 2004 Mercury Mountaineer, 2004 Mercury Monterey, 2004 Mercury Marauder, and 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

P0503 - VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR (VSS) INTERMITTENT

Description:	Indicates poor or noisy VSS performance. Vehicle speed data is received from either the vehicle speed sensor (VSS), the transfer case speed sensor (TCSS), or the anti-lock brake system (ABS) control module.
Possible Causes:	Noisy VSS/TCSS input signal from the radio frequency interference / electro-magnetic interference (RFI/EMI) external sources, such as ignition components or the charging circuit. Damaged VSS or driven gears. Damaged TCSS. Damaged wiring harness or connectors. Malfunction in the module (s) or circuit connected to the VSS/TCSS circuit. After market add-on.
Diagnostic Aids:	Monitor the VSS PID while driving the vehicle. Check for intermittent vehicle speed indication. Verify the ignition and charging system are functioning correctly.
Application	Key On Engine Off	Key On Engine Running	Continuous Memory
Excursion, F-Super Duty	-	-	GO to PINPOINT TEST DF: VEHICLE SPEED CIRCUIT CHECK Step 1.
Escape Manual	GO to PINPOINT TEST DP: VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR (VSS)/TRANSFER CASE SPEED SENSOR (TCSS) Step 6.	GO to PINPOINT TEST DP: VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR (VSS)/TRANSFER CASE SPEED SENSOR (TCSS) Step 6.	GO to PINPOINT TEST DP: VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR (VSS)/TRANSFER CASE SPEED SENSOR (TCSS) Step 6.
F-150 U/8500 4x4 MSOF, F-150 Heritage U/8500 4x4 MSOF	GO to PINPOINT TEST DP: VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR (VSS)/TRANSFER CASE SPEED SENSOR (TCSS) Step 9.	GO to PINPOINT TEST DP: VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR (VSS)/TRANSFER CASE SPEED SENSOR (TCSS) Step 9.	GO to PINPOINT TEST DP: VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR (VSS)/TRANSFER CASE SPEED SENSOR (TCSS) Step 9.
All others	Go to the appropriate AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION article.	Go to the appropriate AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION article.	Go to the appropriate AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION article.