My 1996 200SX SER throws me a P0500, I clear the code using the OBD II reader every 2/3 days, and the code come back even though the speedometer seems to work fine.
Does anyone know how much it cost and where to buy, I've been checking several online autoparts stores, but none carry it so far.
get a haynes manual and look at the wiring diagrams. Here's how it works.
black ground wire goes into the speedometer (instrument cluster)
solid red wire comes FROM the speedometer TO the speed sensor
red/yellow wire comes FROM the speed sensor BACK TO the speedometer
finally, Purple/red wire comes FROM the speedometer TO the ECU
Hi all, great image ,circuit diagram.
You can use a multimeter to check the VSS (vehicle speed sensor) .
Use the ohms measurment ,the reading shuld be about 250 ohms.
As Nostrodomas said check the connection also.
Hi everyone, I bought a 1996 Sentra GXE and of course I'm getting this P0500 code. The speedo works perfect. I pulled the cluster and pulled the speedo head removed, cleaned and tightened every screw. Still have the error. So here's my question/idea....
Why can't I just bridge the wire that runs from the speed sensor to the speedometer with the wire that runs to the ECU? I would think that this would eliminate that whole circuit board for that specific issue. Is this even possible or is the voltage different after it goes through the speedo head circuit board?
hah! i've wondered the same thing myself. There are two scenarios that I know of that are causing this (my car had/has this problem too).
Something to consider: the problem might not be in the cluster circuitry at all--there might be a short in the lead from the cluster to the ECU.
obviously bridging the contacts on the back of the cluster would be the easier possible fix, but that might also kill the signal going to your speedo (electrons take the path of least resistance), which would make your speedo useless to you.
i guess there's no harm in trying that (except the CEL, which would comes on anyway). i'm curious to know what you'd find.
hello everyone. I've had this same problem with my for about a year now. Probllem is that the car's up for inspection. I have not really had a pro fix this issue but as it is, the speedometer is working fine. Tried to check connections. The CEL turns on and off with to apparent consistency. Last time it turned off was when I drove hard over a pothole I thought bent my rims. After that, next time I turn on the engine the CEL was gone. So I am assuming that the issue does come from loose connections.
While I was check the back of the cluster, I did find out that a couple of screws that flat plastic(flexible board) is missing. Does anyone know if there should be screw there? The 2 screws are the bottom right portion. My car is a 95 sentra GXE with 145T Mi.
Thanks for the reply
I can't say i exactly know what the problem was with mine, but my problem stopped when i replaced my non-tach cluster with a tach cluster from an SE-R. I don't know what it was in the old cluster that was broken, but something was broken, and I couldn't, for the life of me, figure it out. Here's a pic of my cluster. it's from a '97, and it's non-tach, but hopefully it'll help somehow. I've circled and labeled the only two holes that don't have screws. One is labeled "FM". the other is unlabeled. the FM one is right behind teh fuel gauge. Neither of them look related at all to the VSS circuit, so i doubt those are the problem.
Awesome jdoggsc. This helps a bit. At least I can elliminate the screws as being a problem. You problem could be the same as mine. So I guess I'll be travelling to the junk yard to get a replacement for my cluster. There seem to be another hole w/o a screw on your pic. to the left just below the yellow box.
thanks for the quick reply!!
that's not a screw hole. that's a bulb hole for a light that my car doesn't have functionality for. Some people have had luck just pushing the wiring harnesses all the way in and just making sure the wires are securely connected. I dunno. I tried that but it didn't work for me. You might try just making sure all the wires are shoved snug and tight in their harnesses before you dive off to a junkyard. either way, let us know what you find. any info is beneficial to future people w/ the same problem.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
Linear Mode
