DTC P0500: Vehicle Speed Sensor "A": Description

Automatic Transmission Models: 

Vehicles, which are equipped with ABS (Anti-lock Brake System), detect the vehicle speed using the skid control ECU and wheel speed sensor. The wheel speed sensor monitors the wheel rotation speed and sends a signal to the skid control ECU. The skid control ECU converts the wheel speed signal into a 4-pulse signal and transmits it to the ECM via the combination meter. The ECM determines the vehicle speed based on the frequency of the pulse signal.

Fig 1: Identifying Wheel Speed Sensor Pulses (For Automatic Transmission Models)

Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

Manual Transmission Models: 

Vehicles, which are equipped with manual transmission, detect the vehicle speed using the No. 1 vehicle speed sensor. The No. 1 vehicle speed sensor transmits a 4-pulse signal for every revolution of the rotor shaft, which is rotated by the transmission or transfer output shaft via the driven gear. The 4-pulse signal is converted into a more precise rectangular waveform by the waveform shaping circuit inside the combination meter. The signal is then transmitted to the ECM. The ECM determines the vehicle speed based on the frequency of the pulse signal.

Fig 2: Identifying Wheel Speed Sensor Pulses (For Manual Transmission Models)

Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002