Vehicle speed sensor location for replacement

Tiny
JMICHIRA
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 1.5L
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,000 MILES
I recently imported a used Toyota Corolla Fielder 2007 model. However, the "check engine" light could come on as you drive. Sometimes, the car just revs on its own; like its engaging a lower gear. I took it for computerized diagnosis and the report indicated that the vehicle speed sensor had a problem and that the output speed sensor circuit had no signal. What could be the best way to handle this? What needs to be replaced; if at all; and how much is that likely to cost?
Friday, October 17th, 2014 AT 8:28 AM

17 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,165 POSTS
The first thing is to unplug the sensor and inspect the terminals, especially when the problem is intermittent. Look for the obvious corrosion, but also look for stretched terminals that aren't making good contact. They can usually be tweaked with a small pick to make them fit tighter. There's different designs of speed sensors. Yours has three wires which means there's electronic circuitry inside it. That is often intermittent and is going to cause a lot more failures than the simpler two-wire sensors that just generate a voltage pulse from a spinning internal magnet. Here is the VSS sensor in the diagrams below. #V1. VSS consists of individual wheel speed sensors (WSS) located on inside of each wheel.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Saturday, October 18th, 2014 AT 1:14 AM
Tiny
SOCRATESIA GUMANDAY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2005 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 165,000 MILES
On a Corolla XRS 1.8L 170hp 2ZZ 6spd engine, where is the location of the vehicle speed sensor? Can't find schematics.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, May 26th, 2021 AT 6:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,101 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

I have attached a picture indicating locations of the wheel speed sensors. On the transmission is a place for a gear driven speedometer gear but it has been replaced with a cover see picture 2.

Let me know if this helps.

Joe
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, May 26th, 2021 AT 6:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SOCRATESIA GUMANDAY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, May 26th, 2021 AT 6:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHAY7325
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1995 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 293,000 MILES
I have the car listed above Ae101, 5A engine. The car is not moving past first gear unless I press down on the gas pedal but then the engine sounds like it's straining. The speedometer stopped working as well and the o/d light is blinking. Mechanics here don't have the part and I'm not sure what to order online. They said it's the transmission speed sensor but there are different types. Input/output etc. Can someone please help me?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, May 26th, 2021 AT 6:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Hi Shay,

We can help point you in the best direction, but unfortunately they will need to provide the detail of which one they are looking for. You are correct that there are more than one, so there is no way to tell you which one you need without knowing what they found the problem to be.

There could be a code in the system that points to one or the other but we need that info to confirm.

This issue is usually the output sensor but again, this would be a guess. Let me know if they gave you more detail about the issue or if you can call them and find out the part they need, we can help find it. Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, May 26th, 2021 AT 6:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny
I've attached a picture below of what the VSS- vehicle speed sensor looks like on your Corolla. It's mounted in the case of your automatic transmission. This picture and part number is from AutoZone auto parts stores and the part number can be cross referenced from any other auto parts stores near you. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, May 26th, 2021 AT 6:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RBRIGMAN84
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1993 TOYOTA COROLLA
The speedometer in my 1993 corolla was working sporadically and recently quit completely. I was told to check the speed sensor. I unplugged it and reoved the bolt, but have been unable to get the sensor out. I have pried on it quite a bit and it is really stuck. Any suggestions?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, May 26th, 2021 AT 6:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
This is the 4 speed automatic?

Looks like one bolt holds it in: Althouth it does say there is a retaining plate that must be removed after bolt. I have no clear picture of it.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/108325_vss_1.jpg

Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+15
Wednesday, May 26th, 2021 AT 6:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TOMJ91507
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1993 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 289,000 MILES
My transmission starts slipping and jumping in and out of gear, while driving sometimes. When this happens the speedometer needle jumps up and down from zero to approximate actual speed of vehicle. I do not know why it does this. Added fluid seemed to help but has not solved problem. Please help!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, May 26th, 2021 AT 6:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,506 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like you have a VSS that is going out here is the location so you can replace it. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens. Cheers, Ken
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, May 26th, 2021 AT 6:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EETTHHAANN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Hello, entering the chat with similar intermittent P0500 issues in my 2010 corolla, 1.8 LE. Same as others, no speedo, no shifting, power steering in not calibrated, check engine. I replaced the input VSS on the top of the trans under the air filter. Did not resolve. Tried replacing the instrument cluster in case the problem was the signal not getting through there. It magically resolves itself sometimes - all lights, codes and problems gone - but then comes back. Next I want to find and replace the output speed sensor - looking for a diagram or description of where I will find that. Thanks for your help. What a pain in the butt!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 4th, 2024 AT 9:55 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,506 POSTS
So this car does not have a VSS sensor, it uses the ABS wheel speed sensor data from the ABS control module. Can I ask if you have an ABS warning light on?

The P0500 - Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) Malfunction code

Please let us know.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 4th, 2024 AT 10:45 AM
Tiny
EETTHHAANN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Interesting. the ABS light does come on along with the others. The couple mechanics I've talked with haven't mentioned the ABS though. I'm curious about this make not having a VSS.

https://www.standardbrand.com/en/ecatalog?year=2010

This is the part i replaced and from what I'm told there's the one top of the transmission, under the air filter, the input sensor and that there is another identical one on the final drive of the transmission which is the output. They said if one is bad or has a bad connection it can explain all these problems coming on and off intermittently. Thanks for your help!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 4th, 2024 AT 12:52 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,506 POSTS
There is a revolution sensor but not a VSS, here are the wiring diagrams and location of the sensor to help you see for yourself. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, December 5th, 2024 AT 1:03 PM
Tiny
EETTHHAANN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Hi Ken, thank you. I wonder if revolution/speed sensor are used interchangeably? Those diagrams definitely match what I've seen.
Whichever it's called I've been told there is an 'input' and an 'output' sensor. The one I've found and another identical one. Standard auto lists each but they're the same part no. Would you know where the second one is in case that is the problem?
I went back and looked for corrosion in the pins of the sensor and my instrument cluster and they're good.
I should mention that I've had VSC/traction control lights and no cruise control for years - making me think I've had bad wheel speed sensors for a while - but have never had this combo of check engine/speedo/shifting/power steering/ABS light/e-brake light issues until it all came on recently with the P0500 code.
Is it possible it's all due to a bad ABS module and if so, would it be intermittent like this?
It's a real head scratcher. Thinking of biting the bullet and taking it to the dealer to see if they can pinpoint it with a diagnostic.
Thanks for your help.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, December 5th, 2024 AT 2:30 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,506 POSTS
Yes, this can be all because of the ABS module, there is no output speed sensor. I would scan the ABS for codes to see if there are any wheel speed sensors that are out.

Please go over this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvooM1X2SDs&t

This is the part that needs to be replaced if there are no wheel speed sensor codes. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, December 6th, 2024 AT 9:26 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Transmission Vehicle Speed Sensor Replace/Remove Content

VIEW MORE