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DTC P0501/16885 - Vehicle Speed Sensor Range/Performance

NOTE: DTC is set if Electronic Control Module (ECM) does not receive a usable Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) signal.
  1. Inspect VSS and VSS connector for looseness and/or corrosion. Repair VSS or connector as necessary. Erase DTC memory and test drive vehicle. See CLEARING DTCS in this article. Recheck DTC memory and verify DTC does not reset. If DTC resets, go to next step. If VSS or connector is okay, go to next step.
  2. Disconnect VSS connector. Turn ignition on. Using DVOM, check voltage between VSS connector terminals No. 1 and 3. Voltage should be at least 11.5 volts. If voltage is as specified, go to step 5). If voltage is not as specified, go to next step.
  3. Turn ignition off. Disconnect ECM connector. Connect Test Box (VAG 1598/18) to ECM wiring harness. Terminal assignments of test box are identical to ECM connector's.
  4. Check resistance between VSS connector terminal No. 3 and test box socket No. 1. Resistance should be less than 1.5 ohms. If resistance is as specified, locate and repair open circuit between VSS connector positive terminal and ECM. Erase DTC memory and test drive vehicle. See CLEARING DTCS in this article. Recheck DTC memory and verify DTC does not reset. If DTC resets, go to next step. If resistance is not as specified, locate and repair open circuit between VSS connector ground terminal and ECM. Erase DTC memory and test drive vehicle. See CLEARING DTCS  in this article. Recheck DTC memory and verify DTC does not reset. If DTC resets, go to step 8).
  5. Turn ignition off. Connect VSS connector. Disconnect ECM connector. Connect Test Box (VAG 1598/18) to ECM wiring harness. Terminal assignments of test box are identical to ECM connector's.
  6. Turn ignition on. Raise and support vehicle so left front wheel is free to rotate. Right front wheel must not rotate. Check voltage between test box sockets No. 56 and 65. Rotate left front wheel by hand. Voltage should fluctuate from zero to 10 volts. If voltage is as specified, go to step 8). If voltage is not as specified, go to next step. 7) Turn ignition off. Disconnect VSS connector. Check resistance between VSS connector terminal No. 3 and ground, VSS connector terminal No. 1 and fuse No. 15, and VSS connector terminal No. 2 and instrument cluster connector. Resistance should be less than 1.5 ohms. If resistance is not as specified, repair open circuit or circuit shorted to each other. Erase DTC memory and test drive vehicle. See CLEARING DTCS in this article. Recheck DTC memory and verify DTC does not reset. If DTC resets, go to next step.
  7. Replace faulty VSS. Erase DTC memory and test drive vehicle. See CLEARING DTCS in this article. Recheck DTC memory and verify DTC does not reset. If DTC resets, go to next step.
  8. Replace faulty ECM. Erase DTC memory and test drive vehicle. See CLEARING DTCS in this article. Recheck DTC memory and verify DTC does not reset. If DTC resets, repeat testing procedure.
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