Vehicle Speed Sensor Replaced but still 0500 Code.

[jgh98055]

Hello,

I received a fault code of 0500 (VSS malfunction) and the transmission began shifting erratically.

I combed through a ton of threads on this site and found similar issues that were corrected by simply replacing the VSS on my 97 Explorer XLT with 114K miles.

I replaced it with an original Motorcraft part as the replacement from NAPA did not fit. OEM measured 22.0mm while the replacement from NAPA (made in Taiwan) measured 22.1mm.

Anyhow, test drove the vehicle and everything was fine. Now twenty miles later, the check engine light is back on with the same fault code of 0500 and the tranny is shifting goofy again.

Even with the check engine light on, everything else is working perfectly like the speedo and cruise control - it's just shifting weird.

What else can it be?

Thanks for your help!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the EEC-V section. Disconnect the bulkhead of the PCM, and test the wiring going to the VSS. It's possible that there might be a break in a wire or an intermittent short to a grounded exhaust pipe.

 

[jgh98055]

Thanks for the suggestion and moving my thread

I'm somewhat of a novice mechanic.

Where might I find the PCM and what am I checking for?

Continuity? Resistance? Should I hook up to my multimeter?

What do you recommend the next steps to be in a bit more detail.

Thank you in advance for your help and I am thrilled to have found this forum.

 

[BrooklynBay]

A continuity check is from one end of the wire to the next end (computer to the VSS). A resistance check is on both wires connected the computer's connector to get a reading of the VSS.

 

[4X4 Explorer]

Erratic speedometer

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the EEC-V section. Disconnect the bulkhead of the PCM, and test the wiring going to the VSS. It's possible that there might be a break in a wire or an intermittent short to a grounded exhaust pipe.

How do I test wiring? Ohm meter?
Replaced the sensor twice,,,,,,,,,,,,works erratically briefly then only at highway speed or accelerating (but still jumpy)

Trans shop said all gears ok, no missing teeth or chips

 

[BrooklynBay]

Post # 4 says to do a continuity check from point to point.

 

[4X4 Explorer]

Thanks for the advice...........getting conflicting info from mechanics.....will give it a try....any possibility speedometer is faulty?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Check the wiring in the steering column for cracks around the area of the tilt mechanism.