DTC P0500: Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) Malfunction

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 32 other vehicles, including the 2005 Mercury Sable, 2005 Mercury Mountaineer, 2005 Mercury Monterey, 2005 Mercury Montego, and 2005 Mercury Mariner. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

P0500 - VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR (VSS) MALFUNCTION

Description:	Indicates the powertrain control module (PCM) detected an error in the vehicle speed information. 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. If the engine RPM is above the torque converter stall speed (automatic transmission) and the engine load is high, it can be inferred that the vehicle must be moving. If there is insufficient vehicle speed data input, a malfunction is indicated and a DTC is set. On most vehicle applications the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is triggered when this DTC is set.
Possible Causes:	Open in the VSS+/VSS- harness circuit Open in the TCSS signal or the TCSS signal return harness circuit Short to GND in the VSS harness circuit Short to GND in the TCSS harness circuit Short to PWR in the VSS harness circuit Short to PWR in the TCSS harness circuit Damaged drive mechanism for VSS or TCSS Damaged VSS or TCSS Damaged wheel speed sensors Damaged wheel speed sensor harness circuits Damage in the module(s) connected to the VSC/VSS circuit Open or short in the vehicle speed circuit VSS signal between the ABS VSS signal output and the VSS signal inputs to the PCM and other models - Excursion and F-Super Duty only
Diagnostic Aids:	Monitor the VSS PID while driving the vehicle. This DTC is set when the PCM detects a sudden loss of vehicle speed signal over a period of time. If vehicle speed data is lost, check the source of the vehicle speed input: VSS, TCSS or ABS. Note: On some manual shift-on-the-fly (MSOF) applications, VSS and TCSS PID can be monitored. However if no TCSS PID is available and VSS PID is zero, TCSS circuitry frequency must be checked for loss of sensor signal. If another vehicle electronic module has generated the P0500 and the vehicle does not receive its vehicle speed input from the VSS, TCSS or ABS, check the PCM for output shaft speed (OSS) sensor DTCs. On OSS applications the PCM uses the OSS to calculate the vehicle speed. If no OSS DTCs are found check for correct PCM configuration, tire size and axle ratio.
Application	Key On Engine Off	Key On Engine Running	Continuous Memory
Excursion, F-Super Duty	GO to DF: Vehicle Speed Circuit (VSC) Check STEP DF1.
Vehicles with a manual transfer case	GO to DP: Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS)/Transfer Case Speed Sensor (TCSS) STEP DP15.
Vehicles with an automatic transmission and output shaft speed (OSS) sensor DTCs	Refer to AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION .
All others	GO to DP: Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS)/Transfer Case Speed Sensor (TCSS) STEP DP1.