Vehicle Speed Sensor???
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New User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Here
Vehicle Speed Sensor???
If anyone can give me any info on this I'd appreciate it. I have a 2000 F-350 4WD V10 AT. Had the truck for about 5 months with no problems of any sort.
Got in it to go home yesterday and the ABS light stayed on. Checked everything out the best I could and started on home. As I pulled out onto the road the "service engine soon" light came on. Then I noticed the overdrive turn off light was blinking and the speedometer doesn't start working until you're going about 35 or so. Everything seems to work fine, shifts fine, etc., so I went on home.
Went by autozone this morning and they plugged their little analyzer in and it said code PO500 - Vehicle Speed Sensor.
I don't have a book yet on this truck and they didn't have any in stock and they don't sell this sensor and couldn't tell me exactly where it's at.
Which leads me to a couple of questions. Where is it? Can it be replaced without pulling the tranny? (asssuming it's on the tranny). The way I understand it this truck doesn't have a speedometer cable. It's the sensor that works all that. Could it going bad make the ABS light come on? The brakes feel the same as they have been. Could it possible be a "it needs cleaning" thing or simply a replacement job?
Any ideas? Suggestions?
Thanks in advance!
Got in it to go home yesterday and the ABS light stayed on. Checked everything out the best I could and started on home. As I pulled out onto the road the "service engine soon" light came on. Then I noticed the overdrive turn off light was blinking and the speedometer doesn't start working until you're going about 35 or so. Everything seems to work fine, shifts fine, etc., so I went on home.
Went by autozone this morning and they plugged their little analyzer in and it said code PO500 - Vehicle Speed Sensor.
I don't have a book yet on this truck and they didn't have any in stock and they don't sell this sensor and couldn't tell me exactly where it's at.
Which leads me to a couple of questions. Where is it? Can it be replaced without pulling the tranny? (asssuming it's on the tranny). The way I understand it this truck doesn't have a speedometer cable. It's the sensor that works all that. Could it going bad make the ABS light come on? The brakes feel the same as they have been. Could it possible be a "it needs cleaning" thing or simply a replacement job?
Any ideas? Suggestions?
Thanks in advance!
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 6
From: Jacksonville, FL
Vehicle Speed Sensor???
Try this post - sounds like the same problem. I think the sensors are magnetic and over time they pick up too much of the metal shavings and stop working as designed. Hopefully a good cleaning will help you out.
See https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...hreadid=125230
See https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...hreadid=125230
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 11
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From: Here
Vehicle Speed Sensor???
Thanks for the info folks! I have been looking on the net for a picture of it so I would be sure to have the right thing. Guess I'll have to go to the city to get a book, (podunk town doesn't have squat but peace and quiet).
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,955
Likes: 50
From: Mesa
Vehicle Speed Sensor???
Book?? You don't need no stinkin book! 
Seriously tho, it's on top of the rear dif. Go at it from the front driver's side. It takes one bolt and it pulls out of the dif. Easy..
Seriously tho, it's on top of the rear dif. Go at it from the front driver's side. It takes one bolt and it pulls out of the dif. Easy..
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 3
Vehicle Speed Sensor???
Before just replacing the sensor, remove the sensor and inspect it closly, if you find any damage to the face of the sensor then with the wheels off the ground, crawl under and rotate the rear end very slowly and with a flashlight look at the teeth on the reluctor in the differential. If you notice any damaged teeth on the reluctor remove the cover and look for what caused the damaged sensor or reluctor. Occasionally an ear from the clutch plate will break off and go around in the rear end til it gets caught between the sensor and reluctor causing damage and then no speed sensor signal.
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New User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Here
Vehicle Speed Sensor???
You folks are great! Put the new sensor in and just about everything is back to normal. Speedometer works, abs light is off, OD off light doesn't blink.
However, the "service engine soon" light is staying on. Is there something special you have to do to make if go off? Is it a memory thing that needs resetting? I searched through the archives and couldn't find anything on that.
I can go back and get the analyzer on it again, but the other day the VSS problem was the only thing that came up and now it's fixed. Everything else if fine. Somehow I get the feeling it's a computer memory thing.
Sometimes I miss the old days when all a big block needed was a hot wire going to the dist. LOL.....
Any ideas?? and again....thanks for the info!
However, the "service engine soon" light is staying on. Is there something special you have to do to make if go off? Is it a memory thing that needs resetting? I searched through the archives and couldn't find anything on that.
I can go back and get the analyzer on it again, but the other day the VSS problem was the only thing that came up and now it's fixed. Everything else if fine. Somehow I get the feeling it's a computer memory thing.
Sometimes I miss the old days when all a big block needed was a hot wire going to the dist. LOL.....
Any ideas?? and again....thanks for the info!
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Cumming, GA USA
Vehicle Speed Sensor???
Disconnect the negative cable of the battery for at least 30 minutes. Reconnect the cable and start the truck and see if the light is still on. If so, there is another problem that AutoZone will scan for you for free. If not, then you are good to go!
Best regards,
Jeff
Best regards,
Jeff
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Brett Foote
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 450
Likes: 2
From: Dallas, GA
Vehicle Speed Sensor???
If you don't want to disconnect the battery, AutoZone will clear the code for free... Even though the problem has been fixed, the computer still needs to have the error code cleared.