P0500 on Chevrolet
Vehicle Speed Sensor Malfunction
P0500 on Chevrolet vehicles indicates vehicle speed sensor malfunction. Au7o has documented this code across 1 Chevrolet model — most commonly on C/K 1500. This code indicates the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) signal is missing, erratic, or out of range. The speed sensor reports how fast the vehicle is moving, and the computer uses that input for the speedometer, transmission shift timing, cruise control, ABS coordination, and other functions. When the expected speed signal isn't present or doesn't match other data, P0500 sets. Symptoms can include an inoperative or erratic speedometer, harsh or delayed shifts, and cruise control that won't engage. Typical repair costs on Chevrolet range from $20 to $300, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P0500
- •Failed vehicle speed sensor
- •Corroded or loose speed sensor connector
- •Damaged, open, or shorted sensor wiring
- •Damaged sensor tone/reluctor ring
- •Faulty ABS wheel speed sensor (on systems that derive speed from ABS)
- •Poor sensor power or ground
- •Blown fuse in the sensor circuit
- •Faulty PCM/ECM or instrument cluster (rare)
P0500 on Chevrolet by Model
Chevrolet C/K 1500(1 issue)
- Speedometer Cable and Drive Gear Failure1988-1995
The speedometer on 1988-1995 C/K trucks uses a mechanical cable and nylon drive gear that wears out. The nylon gear teeth round off or the retaining clip falls off, causing the gear to freewheel. Later models (1992+) with electronic speedometers suffer from Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) and DRAC module failures causing intermittent or dead speedometer readings.
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View P0500 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0500 mean on Chevrolet?▼
P0500 stands for "Vehicle Speed Sensor Malfunction." This code indicates the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) signal is missing, erratic, or out of range. The speed sensor reports how fast the vehicle is moving, and the computer uses that input for the speedometer, transmission shift timing, cruise control, ABS coordination, and other functions. When the expected speed signal isn't present or doesn't match other data, P0500 sets. Symptoms can include an inoperative or erratic speedometer, harsh or delayed shifts, and cruise control that won't engage. On Chevrolet specifically, this code is documented across 1 model.
What causes P0500 on Chevrolet vehicles?▼
Common causes on Chevrolet: Failed vehicle speed sensor, Corroded or loose speed sensor connector, Damaged, open, or shorted sensor wiring, Damaged sensor tone/reluctor ring, Faulty ABS wheel speed sensor (on systems that derive speed from ABS). Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0500 on a Chevrolet?▼
Repair costs on Chevrolet range from $20 to $300, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Chevrolet models have P0500 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0500 on 1 Chevrolet model: C/K 1500.