GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Holden 🢒 2009 🢒 Captiva 🢒 Driver Information and Entertainment 🢒 Cellular, Entertainment, and Navigation 🢒 DTC P0500, P0502, or P0503

Diagnostic Instructions
    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptors

DTC P0500: Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) Circuit

DTC P0500 08: Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) Circuit Signal Invalid

DTC P0500 11: Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) Circuit Above Maximum Threshold

DTC P0500 71: Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) Circuit Invalid Serial Data Received

DTC P0502: Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) Circuit Low Frequency

DTC P0503: Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) Circuit Intermittent

Circuit/System Description

The transmission control module (TCM) provides the engine control module (ECM) vehicle speed information through the high-speed communications on the controller area network (CAN). Vehicle speed is produced by the AC current generated through the transmission output shaft speed (OSS) sensor as the output shaft rotates. The ECM continuously monitors the vehicle speed signal supplied by the TCM.

Conditions for Running the DTC
    • The engine is running.
    • The DTCs run continuously once the above condition is met.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

P0500 08 or P0502

The ECM detects the vehicle speed is less than 1 km/h for greater than 5 seconds.

P0500 11 or P0503

The ECM detects the vehicle speed is greater than 300 km/h for greater than 1 second.

P0500 71

The ECM detects the CAN signal is not valid for greater than 2 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

DTCs P0500, P0502, and P0503 are Type B DTCs.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

DTCs P0500, P0502, and P0503 are Type B DTCs.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification
  1. Ignition On, observe the DTC information with a scan tool. Verify no TCM or communication DTCs are set.
    2. ⇒If any TCM or communication DTCs are set, refer to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle for further diagnosis.
  2. Raise the drive wheels.

    3. Caution: Support the lower control arms in the normal horizontal position in order to avoid damage to the drive axles. Do not operate the vehicle in gear with the wheels hanging down at full travel.

  3. Support the lower control arms so that the drive axles are in a horizontal position.
  4. Engine running, place the transmission into 2nd gear.
  5. Observe the scan tool VSS parameter. The following should display a vehicle speed once the drive wheels are at a speed above 2 km/h:
    6. • The VSS parameter
    • The speedometer
  6. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC to verify the DTC does not reset. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data.

Circuit/System Testing
  1. Ignition OFF, test the High Speed CAN terminal 84 and the Low Speed CAN terminal 83 between the ECM and the TCM for an open, short to ground, or a short to voltage.
  2. If all circuits test normal, replace the ECM.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

Control Module References for engine control module replacement, setup, and programming