AutoCodes – Saturn – P0500 Saturn

P0500 Saturn Code - Vehicle Speed Sensor Circuit

Quick Answer

A toothed wheel mounted on the output shaft of the transmission generates an AC voltage pulse as it moves past the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS). Common causes include Faulty Vehicle Speed Sensor, Vehicle speed sensor harness or connectors is open or shorted, Vehicle speed sensor circuit poor electrical connection. Severity is High - diagnose this code as soon as possible. Driving is not recommended if the warning light is flashing, the engine runs poorly, or safety-related symptoms are present.

What it means: P0500 Saturn indicates Vehicle Speed Sensor Circuit.
Common causes: Common causes include Faulty Vehicle Speed Sensor, Vehicle speed sensor harness or connectors is open or shorted, Vehicle speed sensor circuit poor electrical connection.
Severity: High - diagnose this code as soon as possible.
Can I drive?: Driving is not recommended if the warning light is flashing, the engine runs poorly, or safety-related symptoms are present.

Save to My Repairs Step-by-Step Diagnostic Guide My Repairs

AI answers can be wrong. Verify repairs with testing. Open full chat

Code Popularity 8,925

How popular is this code, among other codes? Low

Repair Importance Level

Urgent (Diagnose now) (3 / 3)

Repair Difficulty Level

Intermediate (2 / 3)

What is this?

Table of contents Created and updated by William Orellana on Jun 14, 2020

Description
Step-by-Step Diagnostic Guide
Possible Causes
How To Fix
Cost to Diagnose
Comments
Add Comment

💬 Need more help? Ask Coddy for instant answers — it's free!

Code P0500 Saturn Description

A toothed wheel mounted on the output shaft of the transmission generates an AC voltage pulse as it moves past the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS). The VSS contains a permanent magnet surrounded by a coil of wire, which produces a magnetic field. The toothed wheel interrupts the magnetic field this generates an AC voltage pulse. As the vehicle speed increases the AC voltage pulse rate also increases. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) determines the vehicle speed based on the frequency of these pulse signals.

OBDII Code P0500 Saturn - Vehicle Speed Sensor Circuit - AutoCodes.com — P0500 Saturn Code - Vehicle Speed Sensor Circuit

What does this mean?

What are the Possible Causes of the DTC P0500 Saturn?

Faulty Vehicle Speed Sensor
Vehicle speed sensor harness or connectors is open or shorted
Vehicle speed sensor circuit poor electrical connection
Faulty Powertrain Control Module (PCM)

How to Fix the DTC P0500 Saturn?

Review the 'Possible Causes' above and visually examine the corresponding wiring harness and connectors. Check for damaged components and inspect connector pins for signs of being broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded.

What is the Cost to Diagnose the Code?

Labor: 1.0

To diagnose the P0500 Saturn code, it typically requires 1.0 hour of labor. Rates vary by location, vehicle, and shop. Many shops charge between $80–$150 per hour; dealerships and metro areas may be higher, independents may be lower.

Need more information about the P0500 Saturn code?

Need more information on how to fix the P0500 Saturn code? Get Access to Factory Service Manuals

Need Help with the Code?

Get the P0500 Saturn code diagnosed by a professional: Find a repair shop in your area

About the author: William Orellana is a Master Mechanic and Mechanical Engineer with over 30 years of experience diagnosing and repairing vehicles. Learn more about his background.