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Error Code P0500

22K views 35 replies 9 participants last post by  PoMan 
#1 · (Edited)
Symptoms: Odometer not working. Speedometer not working. Cruise control no longer works. ABS light on, Brake light on, SES light on. (ABS has been down for over a year.)

Had computer scanned at Autozone and got P0500 Error Code - Vehicle Speed Sensor, but no parts suggested.

Checked on Youtube and found this one . The guy warned that it is not CVT transmission sensor but should be the VSS sensor. However, he was using Nissan Sentra as an example.

Couldn't find videos or articles online about Versa VSS. Google has many pictures but they are very different from the part the guy in the Youtube Video was showing.

My questions are
1. Does Versa use a similar part to Sentra?
2. What parts need to be replaced in Versa to fix the P0500 problem?

Thanks much in advance!!!
 
#2 ·
Well, they dont really sell replacement parts. One option is to try a junkyard and remove various sensors to you see one like photo with a gear for your car. Most newer cars use the ABS sensors for cvt trannys to help regulate ratio for the cvt for power to the ground. This is why they say to unplug the abs unit to autocross or do a dyno pull. :surprise

ABS error could be various issues like a wheel sensor to the actual abs unit with the pumps and valves in it. Those normally do a self check when you start the car and check all the valves, pumps, etc before a code is generated. One reason you should religiously change your brake fluid in these newer cars.
 
#3 ·
If it is causing your ABS light to come on, it is more than likely a wheel speed sensor has gone bad as well. No idea what vehicle you drive but I would see if someone with a real scanner can pinpoint which wheel speed sensor it is. You can get them from $20-$60 online. Or, climb under the vehicle and see if one of the wires have been cut or whatnot.

Heres a link for other Nissans but im sure the versa is similar. If i had more time id check, but just go to a Nissan Parts website and find it for your vehicle.
https://www.youcanic.com/guide/nissan-cvt-transmission-speed-sensor-replacement
 
#5 ·
My car is 2007 versa. Last August I took it to a repair shop as the ABS light came on. They scanned the computer and found the driver side rear ABS sensor needed replacement. They replaced it, however, instead of making that sensor work, they brought my whole ABS module down saying no power to both rear ABS sensors and no ground to the left side. The ABS light has been on since them, but I didn't have other problems until last week. After searching online, I believe it is the speed sensor (VSS) that is causing all the lights to come on.

I looked up the VSS sensor that the guy shows in the video both on Auto Zone and Advanced Parts websites, but they both say it doesn't fit my car. I did find this output transmission speed sensor and both say it fits 2007 Nissan versa. So I've ordered it from carparts.com. I want to see if that is the problem. I'll give everyone an update no matter what the result is.
 
#6 ·
Just an update - as Autozone said that the part the guy uses in the attached video doesn't match 2007 Nissan Versa and I've unplugged all 4 ABS sensors, I think the reason that the speedometer and the odometer are not working must have to do with another speed sensor. That was why I ordered the transmission shaft output speed sensor as I said. The part arrived pretty quickly and I replaced the old one this afternoon. Unfortunately, that didn't bring turn off any lights or bring the speedometer/odometer back to life.
 
#9 ·
+1. Call around, some tire shops like Merchants do minor repairs like that or Midas mufflers.

Some out of work mechanics work for hire on craigs list if you use that.

Strange there are no other codes;

Brake lamp could be parking brake isnt fully released or low brake fluid.
SRS lamp, something with the air bag, module or connector.
Check engine lamp, thats a wild card could be anything from loose gas top.
ABS lamp, wheel sensor, module or actual pump module.
 
#10 ·
I'm the second owner and I bought it in 2013. I've added about 70k miles since I bought it. It has been running very well even until the ABS light came on about a year ago. The SES light and the Brake light just came on about 3 weeks ago along with the odometer and speedometer stopped working. A scan at Autozone gave P0500 and P0455. I replaced the suggested canister purge valve earlier. And then replaced the output speed sensor. Neither has helped to restore anything so far.
 
#11 ·
Stop going to Autozone, they do not have the tools to properly diagnose what is wrong.
They only read codes that are set by the ECM. That's it, nothing more.
AZ can't diagnose the issues you are having.

You need a shop, or dealer, to do a proper diagnosis of the many problems with your car.
Yes, they cost money, but most waive the fees if you get the repairs there.
 
#12 ·
I have a scangauge 2 and can clear codes. Better odb2 computers car read sub codes as well as pending codes and access other menus such as for transmissions and air bags. For your speed issue you should see the D on your dash blinking to indicate a problem with the cvt.
 
#14 ·
I took my car to Muffler Man Service Center, which I trust, hoping they have a better scanner and could find more errors. Unfortunately, they also caught 2 errors - P0500 and P455. As I'd replaced the Canister Purge Valve as suggested for P455 and the output shaft transmission speed sensor, they didn't know what to do, either. They called Nissan and was told it was not very common but Nissan did see some of those issues. Nevertheless, Nissan didn't have a straight solution. Actually, I had scheduled to take my car to Nissan next Monday for recall repairs. When I mentioned all the issues over the phone, Nissan didn't even offer to help. So, I cancelled my recall repairs.

I will pick up my Versa this evening from Muffler Man Service Center and will just drive the car for short trips until it dies, which may not happen soon as it drives and runs pretty well with all the lights on. We'll see how many more days I can still drive it.
 
#19 ·
What city and state do you live in? Maybe someone is near you can take a look?

Yes, my nissan dealer isnt too friendly. The last visit they were nicer, but between the way they behave and their high prices Im likely to never own a new nissan again.

Depending on your state you may get by with lights on your dash. Other than not knowing your speed all your brake related features should be disabled like traction control, skid, anti lock brake and force distribution. So basically you have regular brakes before computers were involved. You should notice the cvt behaves differently too as it uses the abs sensor to know wheel speed to better select the cvt ratio for speed, throttle, etc.

Some states stick a sensor up your tail pipe, others plug a computer into your computer port, others just check things.
 
#20 ·
I replaced all 4 wheel bearings and now I’m getting a P0500 A error code. Is there any way to tell which of the 4 wheels is generating the error? One of the bearings could have been put in backwards(if that makes a difference with the reading, I don’t know). I don’t want to have to press out each individual bearing to press it back in just to check if the code clears. Especially when I may be pressing out bearings that are fine. There was no indicators on the master pro bearings I pressed in to tell me if it was put in the right way. The previous bearings had rings. For all I know I could have damaged the speed sensor when pulling it apart. I’d like to at least focus on the problem wheel first, starting with the bearing and moving to the sensor. Does anyone have suggestions?
 
#21 ·
If the previous bearings had rings you commonly reuse them to read the ring, depends on the sensor design. If just the bearing you are supposed to pay attention to which side goes toward the sensor, the bearing shield color tells you. Black or dark gray is the side read by sensor.

The odds of getting a new bearing back out and back in again are not good, commonly destroyed removing it.
 
#26 ·
If the bearings are going to get destroyed at this point any way I’d rather just replace the part that contains the bearings instead of (the pain in the ass of)pressing it again. I don’t have the VOM or tools to connect directly to the speed sensor. Can you tell me the name of the part that the bearing is in? I already have to replace the control arm on one side any way because I tore the ball joint while trying to replace the bearings. I am a novice, I’m slowly learning from my mistakes.
 
#23 ·
(chuckling to self), doesn't just about everything on a car tie into cluster circuits?

If the wheel sensors are 2 wire you can test them by spinning wheel and wires hooked up to an old analog VOM if you have one lying around. Why I keep mine, good for reading crank and cam sensors too. Use VOM set at as low a d/c volt as it will go.

Problem is likely the work there if the problem showed up after. Not big on Master Pro bearings after getting ones that had zero grease in them. I only buy the upper end brands now at $50 each, those never fail, the cheap crap $25 ones will fail at a 50% rate. I prefer to install wheel bearings to never have to do it again.
 
#27 ·
Can't tell you spit without a model and year and options.

You should also know that when you buy the combined bearing plus this or that the bearing typically used in those is worst of the worst as far as quality goes. I used to sell them. One way to tell is to assume the bearing by itself at $25 for low quality one and $50 for high and work that against the price of the combined part, that gives you some clue.
 
#29 · (Edited)
Many choices are simply for bearing only and you have to have it pressed into the other part. I found one place listing a hub assembly for the front. The rear bearing presses into the drum if drum brake.

Car still new enough maybe all the choices have not matured into being yet, it can take up to 4 years to do that. The copyright of basic specs takes like 2 years to release to begin with before aftermarket can even begin to make it.
 
#31 ·
Any 'retainer' there more likely a circlip and bent can present a much greater issue than the sensor not reading. Clip comes out since not in fully due to bent and tears up stuff or even the bearing begins to move.

Your more direct answer = not likely. Bent means not in the groove and incompetent work if that was left like that.
 
#33 ·
When I was talking about a bent ring it was the circlip I was referring to(I went to the parts department at the dealership and they showed me a blown out view to identify the parts). The circlip was bent in a way that was having the opening closer together. The circlip sits flush down in to the knuckle but it has a little wiggle room. I asked if I needed a new circlip and he assured me it’s fine, it just keeps the bearing in. I bought the bearings from the dealership because maybe the master pro bearings can’t be read by the sensor or one/both of the bearings were put in backwards. There’s no way to tell from the error code checker. Both sides of the master pro bearings look the same and have the black ring. On the dealership bearings only one side shows the black ring and the other side is silver. They let me know that if I buy the knuckle it would be bare and I’d have to buy and press in bearings anyway. So my next step in fixing this is to press in the dealership bearings. I apologize for the confusion in my description of this problem. I bet it had everyone scratch their heads. I do appreciate the aid in helping me understand the problem and giving me information on how to fix it.
 
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