Recently, my car speedometer became erratic

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!

5 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

What trouble codes are you getting? We need the codes, not description.

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Saturday, November 3rd, 2012 AT 1:44 PM

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.

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Saturday, November 3rd, 2012 AT 1:57 PM

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.

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+1

Saturday, November 3rd, 2012 AT 2:12 PM

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!

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Tuesday, November 6th, 2012 AT 1:36 AM

KHLOW2008