P0500 Code Vehicle Speed Sensor

I have an intermittent "Check Engine" light (for about 6 months now) on my 2006 Tacoma. Speed sensor was the diagnosis from 2 different Toyota dealers. South Atlanta Toyota wants $5000 to replace the wiring harness. Speedometer has always worked fine so I'll invest in a piece of black tape to put over the check engine light. Also had 3 bad TPMS sensors and they are about $100 apiece but I have to get those replaced. I can't gamble on any glitches with tire warnings.

 

Do you have a state emissions inspection? I’ve never lived in a state where a truck can pass inspection with a check engine light on.

$5,000 to replace the whole harness is crazy. I’d be splicing in a wire if I was sure the problem is the harness. Did the dealer explain why they want to replace the harness? Your symptoms sound like I had and a 5k harness wouldn’t have fixed it.

 

You're probably right. Sounds to me like they meant more like $500 to replace the speedometer assembly but they didn't connect me with the guy who actually did the work. I didn't press the point since I'm not going to do that either. In Georgia we don't have inspections anymore. I got the truck back and the check engine light is out. All the speed sensors checked out OK and the speedometer works fine which I suspect means an intermittent connection somewhere. Once in a while it does hesitate to shift into high gear until I let off the accelerator slightly, then it shifts. That's not a serious problem for me unless it gets worse. The only thing I've done to it myself was to replace the original two-speed wiper lever with a multi-speed one. They also told me that 3 TPMS sensors were bad, then they called back and said they all checked OK. TPMS light is not blinking now. All other service went well. 87,400 miles.

 

I Just had this code pop up. My speedo works fine so I don't think its the vss. My ultra gauge reads 0 while driving. I believe my cluster has taken a dump due to the UG reading 0 and the UG gets its info from the computer via the obd port.

Thoughts?

 

Exact symptom I had, it was the cluster....

 

just a heads up... a used cluster is $75-$125 on ebay or car-part.com, and programming the correct mileage is $90..

 

I’m having a hard time finding one for a manual truck.

 

http://www.car-part.com

 

Mine failed!!!! Really...all this time and Toyota still producing crap instrument clusters?

2019 Tacoma DCSB Manual, less than 1k miles
Check engine light
Code reader says P0500 vehicle speed sensor, live data showed zero vss speed.
Yes, my speedo and everything else worked. Rough idle on occasion, even a misfire w/code another time.

End result...Dealer says instrument cluster!!!!

Update! Instrument cluster replaced and all works..no codes

 

Who can do the programming? Seems like an illegal ordeal no?

 

I have no experience with this ebay seller, but I have seen their auctions.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/TOYOTA-TAC...ter-Mileage-Odometer-PROGRAMMING/223690669462

 

Nah, its a grey area.

 

Sounds like it would be a dealer only thing. I'd bet there's a fair amount of documentation needing to go along with it as well.
Imagine unscrupulous mechanics being able to do this...

 

no, you just need to show a title or reg with your name and they will program any mileage ( certain circumstances ). Gauge cluster can be modified all you want with what ever mileage - the company modifying it isn't installing it in your vehicle.. you are.. like shooting some one with a gun.. gun company isn't at fault if you shoot someone..

 

@wheeliest woooooow that's crazy if you ask me. And that's saying a lot as I myself am crazy.

 

Briefly read some reply’s, my spedo, and odometer don’t work, and my gas gauge moves up and down constantly, but my engine temp, and rpms still register, anyone had that?

 

How fix the harness