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GTECH Calibration
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P0500

Defective Vehicle Speed Sensor, Defective Speedometer, Vehicle Speed Sensor wiring or connector, Communication (CAN) bus problems, Defective transmission or differential Vehicle Speed Sensor drive gear.

  • Audi
  • Powertrain
  • Generic code
  • Medium severity

How this code is built

P
SystemPowertrain
0
Defined bySAE, the same on every car
5
AreaVehicle speed, idle control and auxiliary inputs
00
FaultThe specific fault in that area

What it means

P0500 on an Audi means the engine control unit is not getting a believable vehicle speed signal. It may see no signal, an erratic one, or a speed that disagrees with other data such as engine speed, load and wheel speed information on the CAN bus. On many Audi models the speed comes from a transmission output speed sensor or the ABS wheel speed sensors rather than a single dedicated sensor, so the source depends on the model and gearbox.

Symptoms

  • Speedometer reading erratic, stuck at zero or not working
  • Engine management light on, possibly with ABS or traction control warnings
  • Gearbox shifting harshly, hunting or stuck in one gear on automatic or DSG cars
  • Cruise control or speed limiter not working
  • Idle quality poor or engine stalling when coming to a stop
  • Start-stop or other speed-dependent functions disabled

Possible causes

  • Faulty or contaminated vehicle speed sensor, transmission output speed sensor or ABS wheel speed sensor (depends on model)likely
  • Damaged wiring or corroded, loose or water-affected connector at the speed sensorlikely
  • Faulty ABS wheel speed sensor or damaged tone ring supplying the speed signal over the CAN buspossible
  • CAN bus communication fault or a fault in the ABS, instrument cluster or gateway modulepossible
  • Worn or damaged sensor drive gear or pulse wheel in the transmission or differentialrare
  • Internal fault or software problem in the engine or transmission control unitrare

How to diagnose

  1. Read all stored codes in every module, not just the engine unit, and note any ABS, gearbox, gateway or CAN communication faults
  2. Check freeze frame data and compare live vehicle speed with actual road speed and individual wheel speeds
  3. Inspect the speed sensor and wheel speed sensor wiring and connectors for chafing, corrosion, water ingress and security
  4. Check the sensors for metal debris, damage or incorrect fitting, and inspect the tone rings for damage or dirt
  5. Check the sensor supply, signal and earth with a multimeter or oscilloscope against the model's wiring diagram
  6. Check the CAN bus for faults, using the manufacturer's procedure for that model
  7. Inspect the transmission or differential drive gear or pulse wheel if the sensor and wiring test good (procedure varies by gearbox)
  8. Check whether a software update applies to the control units for that model and fault

How to fix

  • Replace the faulty speed sensor or wheel speed sensor once testing has confirmed it
  • Repair or replace damaged wiring and clean or renew corroded connectors
  • Replace a damaged tone ring or wheel bearing unit with an integrated encoder, as applicable
  • Repair the CAN bus wiring or the faulty module found during testing
  • Repair or replace the worn drive gear or pulse wheel in the transmission or differential
  • Update the control unit software only where an outdated version is a known cause for that vehicle

Can I keep driving?

Medium severity

The car can usually be driven short-term, but speedometer, gearbox and ABS functions may be affected, so have it checked soon. Avoid long journeys if the gearbox is shifting badly or the ABS warning light is on.

Guide written by AI from the code's definition. Confirm with a diagnosis before replacing parts.

This code for other makes

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