Vehicle speed sensor

What it means

The computer needs to know how fast the car is moving, for the speedometer, gear changes, cruise control and idle control. The signal comes from a sensor on the gearbox or from the ABS wheel sensors. These codes mean the speed signal is missing or unbelievable.

Codes in this group

Bank 1 is the side of the engine that has cylinder 1. Sensor 1 is before the catalytic converter and sensor 2 is after it. More terms explained.

What you may notice

• Speedometer not working or jumping
• Harsh or late automatic gear changes
• Cruise control not working
• ABS or traction warning lights at the same time

Common causes

Most likely first:

• A failed speed sensor
• Damaged wiring or connector
• A faulty ABS wheel sensor or ring, on cars that take speed from the ABS
• A worn drive gear on older gearboxes

What to check first

• Note whether the ABS light is on too: that points to a wheel sensor
• Drive with care: without a working speedometer you may break speed limits without knowing

Have a mechanic confirm. A fault code tells you which system reported a problem, not which part has failed. The same code can have several causes, and they differ between car models. Use this page to understand the code, then have a qualified mechanic test the car before any part is replaced.

After the repair

Once the cause is fixed, the code can be cleared with a scan tool, or the warning light goes out by itself after several trips without the fault. Clearing a code without fixing the cause only hides it for a while. More about clearing codes.

Related codes

Engine overheating or overspeed (P0217), Fuel level sensor (P0460), Radiator cooling fan circuit (P0480), Idle speed control (P0505), Brake pedal switch (P0504), Engine oil pressure sensor (P0520), Air conditioning pressure sensor (P0530), Battery and charging voltage (P0560). All codes.

Written in November 2026. These are generic OBD-II codes, the same on all makes. Causes and repair steps differ between models.