Recently, my car speedometer became erratic

Tiny
VANDROME
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 93,000 MILES
Recently, my car speedometer became erratic. When it works, car transmission shifts well; when it doesn't transmission wouldn't shift out of the first gear. After scan, Crankshaft sensors Bank 1 and 2; intermediate shaft speed sensor and vehicle speed sensor were said to need replacement. The problem is that there is no Toyota spot around here (somewhere in Nigeria) and local mechanics can't tell where the Vehicle speed sensor/speedometer sensor (not the transmission speed sensor) and Intermediate speed sensors are located. It is a Camry 2003 V6 3.0L engine. Pls help, car has totally packed up! Attached is a pic of what the vehicle speed sensor shld look like, got it off the internet. Thank U!
Saturday, November 3rd, 2012 AT 4:20 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
What trouble codes are you getting? We need the codes, not description.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, November 3rd, 2012 AT 1:44 PM
Tiny
VANDROME
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The code was P0500: Vehicle Speed Sensor Malfunction.

I think I should mention this as well: earlier today, an electrician cut off the left wheel abs/wheel sensor and attached a new sensor/head to the wire and the speedometer sprang back to life + transmission started changing gears. But after an hour or so of driving the car; the whole problem started all over again. I'm wondering what the abs has to do with speedometer and transmission.

Thanks so much KHLow. Counting on yous to help me out of this one.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, November 3rd, 2012 AT 1:57 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
The ABS wheel sensors are the VSS for your vehicle. Refer to diagram.

DTC P0500: VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR "A"

Detecting condition of DTCs is when there is no vehicle speed sensor signal to the ECM under the following conditions: (2 trip detection logic)

l Vehicle is being driven.
L Clutch or brake slips or gear is broken (2 trip detection logic).

Possible Causes

l Defective combination meter.
L Open or short in speed sensor circuit.
L Defective vehicle speed sensor.
L Defective ECM.
L Defective skid control computer assembly.
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Saturday, November 3rd, 2012 AT 2:12 PM
Tiny
VANDROME
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
KHLow, you are a life saver! Now I'm sure where my car's VSS are!

It also discovered that on the ABS + TRC + VSC Control Module, a connecting set of cables and plug got burnt. This, I was told, is the actual culprit.

I am to blame though 'cos I misjudged it over a month ago when I first perceived the smell of burning rubber. Thought it had to do with the AC.

I'd replace the control module tomorrow and hope for the best. My only concern is I can't figure why it got burnt at the first place. My electrician can only guess.

Thanks once more KHLow!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, November 6th, 2012 AT 1:36 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
You're welcome.

Good luck.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, November 6th, 2012 AT 1:45 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Transmission Vehicle Speed Sensor Location Content

VIEW MORE