What Codes Will This Page Cover?
- P0501: Vehicle Speed Sensor “A” Range/Performance
- P0502: Vehicle Speed Sensor “A” Circuit Low
- P0503: Vehicle Speed Sensor “A” Intermittent/Erratic/High
- P0504: Brake Switch “A”/”B” Correlation
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What Is the P0501 Code?
Symptoms
Causes
Seriousness
Can I Still Drive?
Diagnose
Difficulty of Inspecting
Get Additional Help
These codes all have to do with the vehicle speed sensor (VSS), which basically tells the powertrain control module (PCM) how fast the vehicle is going. That information is then shared with onboard sensors such as the speedometer as well as other systems, which may include the transmission and power steering process. If you’re experiencing issues with this system, then it can cause a variety of problems, which are expressed largely through these codes.
You may also be interested in P0571 Brake Switch A Circuit.
More About the P0501, P0502, P0503, and P0504 Codes
These four codes all indicate different problems with the VSS and associated systems.
- P0501: Vehicle Speed Sensor “A” Range/Performance
- P0502: Vehicle Speed Sensor “A” Circuit Low
- P0503: Vehicle Speed Sensor “A” Intermittent/Erratic/High
- P0504: Brake Switch “A”/”B” Correlation
Codes P0501, P0502, and P0503 are all directly related to the VSS. P0501 indicates that the input is out of range or somehow otherwise not what the system was expecting. P0502 indicates that the circuit is low. P0503 indicates that the input is either very intermittent, sometimes providing the correct voltage and sometimes completely out of range, or that the circuit is high. P0504 is the “odd one out” here, indicating that the brake light circuit has malfunctioned in some way, either the brake light itself or circuits that work with the brake light, including the cruise control system.
What Are the Symptoms of a P0501 Code?
The symptoms of the P0501, P0502, P0503, and P0504 codes can vary fairly dramatically. The check engine light will generally come on in all of these codes. Then, depending on whether the VSS signal is too low or too high, your vehicle may shift transmissions either too fast or too slow, your speedometer may jump up and down randomly, and the engine may also have low power.
What Are Some Causes of a P0501 Code?
Generally, the P0501, P0502, P0503, and P0504 codes occur because of a defective VSS or speedometer, although it may also occur if the wiring or connector for the VSS isn’t completed effectively. In some situations, the ECM or controller area network (CAN) bus may be defective, but this is very uncommon.
How Serious Is the P0501 Code?
These codes are incredibly serious; if you’re going the wrong speed on the road in your vehicle, then you open yourself up to legal action, even if you genuinely thought that you were going the right speed. Additionally, these codes can cause issues with the transmission, which can lead to engine issues in the future.
Can I Still Drive with a P0501 Code?
The P0501, P0502, P0503, and P0504 codes don’t generally cause no-start conditions, which means you can technically still drive with the codes most of the time. However, it’s not a good idea to drive with these codes regularly. The codes indicate a serious problem in your vehicle that you should get fixed as soon as possible, not a problem that you can just ignore.
How Easy Is It to Diagnose a P0501 Code?
The diagnostic process generally requires you to figure out the precise part of your vehicle that is having issues, then replace it. That can be fairly difficult when there are multiple parts that can trigger this code. If you’re not especially well-versed in the wiring process for your vehicle, then it’s probably best to allow an expert to help with this option.
How Difficult Is It to Inspect a P0501 Code?
The inspection process for P0501, P0502, P0503, and P0504 codes will usually require you to open up your car a little bit and really delve into the wiring. This can be incredibly worrying for someone without a lot of experience, and doing something incorrectly can create more problems in the future. If you’re not confident in your ability to do this yourself, then talk to an expert instead to get a fix.
Need Additional Help with Your P0501 Code?
Most people who deal with the P0501, P0502, P0503, and P0504 codes end up requesting expert assistance to fix them. These problems can be very frustrating to deal with on your own, so an expert’s touch can really help.
The first step is to find the best expert in your area. You can do this with KBB, which can help you find a local repair shop to entrust your vehicle to. If you need specific types of help, then this can help you narrow down your options.
Additionally, if you’re a DIYer who wants to get more insight into the problems you’re experiencing with your vehicle, check out the OBD-II database. This database provides all kinds of information regarding OBD codes, including these codes and plenty of others.
P0501 Q&A
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