GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 GMC_Truck 🢒 2006 🢒 GMC T-Series Medium Duty Truck F6/F7/F8 🢒 DTC 🢒 DTC P0500

Circuit Description

The vehicle speed sensor (VSS) assembly provides vehicle speed information to the engine control module (ECM). The VSS assembly is a permanent magnet generator. The VSS produces alternating current (AC) as the rotor teeth on the output shaft of the transmission pass through the magnetic field of the sensor. The frequency and amplitude of the AC waveform, both, increase as vehicle speed increases.

If the ECM detects no vehicle speed, for a specified length of time, while other sensors indicate that the vehicle is moving, DTC P0500 sets. DTC P0500 is a type C DTC.

DTC Descriptor

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:

DTC P0500 Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) Circuit

Conditions for Running the DTC
    • No MAP sensor DTCs P0106, P0107 or P0108.
    • No ECT DTCs P0117 or P0118.
    • No TP sensor DTCs P0120 or P0220.
    • No idle system DTCs P0506, P0507, P1508 or P1509.
    • No IAC DTCs set.
    • The ECT is 35°C (95°F) or greater.
    • The TP sensor angle is 5-100 percent.
    • The engine speed is greater than 1,000 RPM.
    • The MAP is 40-100 kPa (6-15 psi) with A/C OFF.
    • The MAP is 45-100 kPa (7-15 psi) with A/C ON.
    • All of the above conditions are met for 2 seconds.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The ECM detects no vehicle speed for 50 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
    • The ECM does not illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL).
    • The ECM disables cruise control.
    • The ECM records the operating conditions when the Conditions for Setting the DTC are met. The ECM stores this information as Failure Records.
    • The ECM stores DTC P0500 in ECM history.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
    • A scan tool can clear the MIL/DTC.
    • The ECM clears the DTC from ECM history if the vehicle completes 40 warm-up cycles without a non-emission-related diagnostic fault occurring.
    • The ECM cancels the DTC default actions when the ignition switch is OFF long enough in order to power down the ECM.

Diagnostic Aids

Ensure the VSS is correctly torqued to the transmission housing.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. The resistance measurement will not change if either the VSS high signal circuit or the VSS low signal circuit, but not both, is shorted to ground. The vehicle speed detector in the ECM and the VSS are matched in such a way that an open or a short to ground in the VSS low signal circuit will not usually cause a loss of speed signal or a DTC P0500 to set.

    2.

  2. This step isolates the short between the VSS and the wiring.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Manual Transmission Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Manual Transmission Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

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Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2

    Notice: In order to avoid damage to the drive axles, support the lower control arms in the normal horizontal position. Do not run the vehicle in gear with the wheels hanging down at full travel.

  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition with the engine OFF.

    3. Important: Record the Failure Records before clearing the DTCs. Using the Clear Info function erases the Failure Records from the ECM.

  3. Clear the DTC.
  4. Raise the drive wheels.
  5. Start the engine.
  6. Allow the engine to idle in gear.

Does the scan tool display vehicle speed above the specified value?

0 km/h (0 mph)

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Turn ON the ignition with the engine OFF.
  3. Review the Freeze Frame data and note the parameters.
  4. Start the engine.
  5. Operate the vehicle within the Freeze Frame conditions and Conditions For Running The DTC.

Does the scan tool display vehicle speed above the specified value?

0 km/h (0 mph)

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the ECM.
  3. Measure the resistance between the VSS low signal and the VSS high signal circuits.

Is the resistance within the specified range?

1,680-3,160 ohms

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 5

5

Test the VSS high signal and VSS low signal circuits for the following conditions:

    • An open circuit or high resistance condition
    • VSS high signal and VSS low signal circuits shorted together

Refer to Circuit Testing .

Did you find and correct a condition?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 11

6

Measure the resistance between the VSS high signal circuit and ground.

Is the resistance greater than the specified value?

10 M ohms

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 8

7
  1. Disconnect the engine wiring harness from the VSS assembly.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. Test the VSS high signal circuit of the VSS assembly for a short to voltage. Refer to Testing for a Short to Voltage and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 10

8

  1. Leave the DMM connected between the VSS high signal circuit and ground.
  2. Disconnect the VSS.
  3. Measure the resistance between the VSS high signal circuit and ground.

Is the resistance greater than the specified value?

10 M ohms

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 9

9

Repair the short to ground in the VSS high signal circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 14

--

10
  1. Connect the ECM connector.
  2. Connect the DMM between the VSS low signal and the VSS high signal circuits.
  3. Measure the AC voltage with the DMM while rotating the drive wheels by hand.

Is the AC voltage equal to or greater than the specified value?

0.5 V

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 11

11
  1. Remove the VSS. Refer to Vehicle Speed Sensor Replacement .
  2. Inspect the VSS and the VSS rotor for the following conditions:
    3. • VSS damage
    • VSS rotor damage
    • Excessive air gap between the VSS rotor and the VSS
    • Incorrect alignment between the VSS and the VSS rotor
  3. Repair or replace any of the above items as necessary.

Did you find and correct a condition?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 12

12

Replace the VSS. Refer to Vehicle Speed Sensor Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 14

--

13

Replace the ECM. Refer to Control Module References for replacement, setup, and programming.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 14

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14

Perform the following procedure in order to verify the repair:

  1. Select DTC.
  2. Select Clear Info.
  3. Operate the vehicle in order to achieve a vehicle speed of greater than 3 km/h (2 mph) for 2 seconds.
  4. Select Specific DTC.
  5. Enter DTC P0500.

Has the test run and passed?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 2

15

With the scan tool, observe the stored information, capture info and DTC info.

Does the scan tool display any DTCs that you have not diagnosed?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle

System OK