Last Updated on December 13, 2021
There are two common types of vehicle speed sensors and they each play a different role. One type, the engine speed sensor (or transmission speed sensor) is usually installed on the transmission or transaxle. The other type, wheel speed sensor (or vehicle speed sensor) is installed on the knuckle arm on the four wheels.
The engine speed sensor takes data from crankshaft position sensor that give information for the engine spin speed. Vehicle speed data comes from the speed sensor which is located on the wheels and sends information regarding wheel spin speed.
Therefore, any fault from either speed sensor or any symptoms showing how defective it has become can lead to a wide range of abnormal problems in your vehicle if you fail to pay attention to it in time.
Common Bad Speed Sensor Symptoms
#1 – Rough Gear Changes
One of the most common speed sensor symptoms of your car is that the transmission will not smoothly change gears of your vehicle because of higher transmission revs. This means that the car engine runs at higher speeds than the car itself.
You may also find it very rough while shifting gears and as the problem worsens, you will find it unbearable to change the car into higher gears. This means that the vehicle’s transmission will eventually engage into overdrive very late.
Why Does This Happen?
The transmission of your vehicle can only shift smoothly with the help of a healthy speed sensor. This sensor counts the number of internal revolutions in the transmission. Consequently, the control unit of the transmission receives the data then makes the necessary adjustments after calculating the rotational speed.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to repair the transmission speed sensor as it simply fails. You have to discard it and replace it with a new one. A professional mechanic should help you examine and diagnose the speed sensor system of your vehicle even though the symptoms may seem similar in all cars.
#2 – Speedometer Malfunction
Once the vehicle’s speedometer stops functioning all of a sudden, this is a sure fire sign that indicates the speed sensor has become defective. The malfunctioning speed sensor means that the speedometer will not have the ability to display the speed your vehicle is traveling at.
Not knowing how fast you are going is obviously concerning especially when there is little other traffic on the road to help you at least estimate your speed. This can land you in trouble with the authorities or even cause unnecessary and avoidable accidents.
#3 – Check Engine Light On
Furthermore, sometimes the check engine light may light up recurrently and periodically as you accelerate without any good reason.
To understand what the check engine light means, you should use diagnostic tool or car OBD scanner to get the trouble code(s) which will help troubleshoot the issue. For example, DTC P0500 (Vehicle Speed Sensor Fault Conditions) may appear to confirm the issue.
See Also: Ford AdvanceTrac Problems
Conclusion
Many problems can arise if your vehicle has a faulty speed sensor. Indeed, a car that shows the symptoms of a worn-out speed sensor can bring about other related symptoms to other parts of the car, such as a faulty throttle position sensor or even a malfunctioning coil pack.
Faulty speed sensor symptoms come with some common characteristics that can affect your car engine and its related components.
And finally, any of the above speed sensor symptoms should prompt you to take your vehicle to an auto repair shop or trustworthy mechanic so that they can run a computer diagnostic on your car to identify the faults.
Even though some of the above symptoms may point towards a malfunctioning transmission, it is advisable to visit a repair shop having the best computer diagnostic equipment even before visiting a repair shop specializing on speed sensors to ascertain the real problems.
I have a 2000 dodge neon and when you have it started and your foot on the patel and take it off it shunts off and the rpm gauges dont work i need help.
Are You mean, when you accelerate, the engine stall and rpm gauge not working?
The RPM raises to a little above 2
Is this at idle?
I took out the vehicle speed sensor from the side of the transmission 2002 Grand Marquis. The gear at the end is worn. Where can I buy another one. Most new sensors don’t come with a new gear
Have you checked Amazon, Ebay, your local parts stores, and Rock Auto?
I have a 91 ford f150 automatic it will run good then it will get where it will not pull park it for 2 days and it will run good again
i have a 2004 mercedez c240. My gear will not change even after a long drive i have changed my faulty speed sensors but the problem still remains. do i also change the back axle shaft.
You should check the fuse
I have a 2007 Toyota Camry. I had to have a Jump start yesterday and when I got it, I went to go take off in my car and it wouldnt move. My foot was on accelerator and the rpm would only got 5o 2 and the idle only would go ton15 mph by itself. Accelerator wouldnt work. I changed battery and checked all fuses. And I tried to reset it like I was showed on you tube. Still nothing what could be wrong
can towing a mercedes benz c300 backwards throw the speed sensor off
It shouldn’t damage the speed sensor but towing a rear-wheel drive vehicle backwards is just asking for trouble since the front wheels are made for turning. It could fishtail or you could break the steering linkage. The correct way would be to disconnect the driveshaft and tow with the front wheels on a dolly or simply use a flatbed trailer.
We have a 2006 Nissan titan 2 wheel drive we’ve fixed the speed sensor inside of transmission and one on the side which i think is the output sensor and it’s still acting up. Once on the hwy when we hit 60 mph it sounds kind of loud and when barley taking off we feel a grinding noise and it’s burning oil from the engine like crazy do u know if there’s another sensor?
I have a Toyota Corolla 2003 the speedometer stop working after working on the crankshaft
Check whether there is any cables broken near the wheel base. It usually happens when the un-professional mechanics doing these kinds of jobs., They wont care about the cables or sensor parts installed on it. By pushing forcefully removing the wheel base for brake pads its cause to breaks. Its my personal experience. I did myself to trace the cables and joined with connectors. Problem solved.
I have vw polo BUD engine,while on the road I find it closing very fast and yet I haven’t pressed the accelerator.What could be the solution to this problem
It could be a vacuum leak that’s allowing more air into the engine, or an issue with the throttle to name a couple things. I would get it addressed as soon as possible. Unintended acceleration can be very dangerous.
I have a 2006 toyota camry v6 3.0 it saying did a diagnostic at auto zone its saying bad knock sensors and bad speed sensor and my car shakes when I drive over 60 and when I use my GPS my speedometer will say 65 but my GPS says my car is going 60. So do I need to change the speed sensor or knock sensors or both
That’s not something that can really be diagnosed over the internet. You’ll have to have a mechanic look at your car in person to determine what needs to be replaced.
my 1998 ford explorer speedometer stopped working then works then stops. why would it work off and on. is there a way to fix it
It sounds like your vehicle speed sensor is going out, or you possibly have a grounding or wiring issue with the wires that lead to the sensor. Intermittent issues like that are often electrical in nature. It should be fixable, but you’ll have to have someone take a look at it to know for sure.
I have a 2002 Hyundai Elantra gls and when I put it in drive it stalls out but when I put it in reverse it drives fine. Can this be a transmission speed sensor issue. Can anyone help me with this problem. Thank you.
It’s probably not the speed sensor. I would look at your idle air control valve. You might need to look deeper into the transmission, though.
I have 2003 chevy s10 zr2 4×4. I’ve replaced my vehicle speed sensor three times now. It will work fine for a bit but after a couple months its time to replace it again. Any insite?
Do you still have the sensors you replaced? I would inspect those to see if there is any damage to the sensor or anything suspicious with the wiring.
hello my vehicle fiesta 2006 1.4 petrol. Could the speed sensor I want to ask cause p0420 failure? I have one more problem, my vehicle is running very loud. Does the speed sensor have an effect on the noisy operation?
No, it shouldn’t affect either of those things. P0420 is a catalytic converter efficiency code. I’m guessing the loud operation is due to an exhaust leak. The loud operation and P0420 may be related, though. You’ll have to have the exhaust system inspected to determine where the leak is, and do a bit more diagnostics on the catalytic converter operation.
I hv a chrysler voyager 3.3L v6 my problem is power wen I Rev it de revs doesn’t even reach 2rpm it stops under 2, cn it b a speed sensor problem?
At wide open throttle the tachometer won’t exceed 2k RPM while you’re standing still? I doubt it’s the speed sensor.
Is your check engine light on? What are the codes?
Engine light always on
Speedomiter dont work anymore
Abs and brake light always on
Idle runs low and erratic
Stalls in drive/park
Transmission skips randomly like its missing a gear.
04 dodge ram 1500
Sounds like you have several unrelated issues. What codes are stored with that check engine light?
I have a 2006 infiniti suv, the engine broke down so i had to replace with a new engine but after doing that the automatic gear wont move at d when the engine is cold so i had to move it with g1 before it moves then return back to D then it engage when the engine is hot. how do i fix the problem
I am not sure. Check the factory service manual for the vehicle to see if there is a step you missed, or a specific troubleshooting step to take in this scenario.
Hi I have a 2013 Chevy equinox the trouble I’m having is with the transmission I believe. I recently had the tranny flushed. Check engine light is on. Reading code po700. It’s saying That could be numerous things. Just wondering if the Tcm needs replaced
I don’t know. It could be the TCM, or the wiring leading to the TCM, or even a fault with the transmission itself. More diagnostics are needed to be able to say definitively.
I have Chevy Tahoe 2005. Engine works when shift the gear to drive vehicle doesn’t move what is the possible reason?
Can you hear the truck attempting to go into gear?
Hi ,
I have toyota camry 2008 model , my car problem when i leave the gas padel RPM goes down and suddenly comes up even the car force also reduce and increase during the up down of RPM. i have changed Engine plugs, no have any sensor code on display , fuel injector also cleaned . but the problem still same can you suggest whati will do
I’m not sure I understand. Is the car acting like it wants to stall?
I have a 2010 Chevy Malibu,the car drives great for 10 to 15 miles and then goes into Limp-In mode and turns on the Check Engine light. At this point I can pull over and turn the car off, wait a few seconds, restart the car and drive away. It drives perfectly for another 5 to 10 miles and then goes back into Limp-In mode.I have a cheap code reader that tells me the only two error codes are P0601 (check sum error) and P0700 (trans issue)
Please let me know if you have had this problem and what was done to repair it.
It could be an issue with one of the control modules or something going on with the wiring, like a short from worn insulation. I think that will require a diagnosis at a mechanic’s shop to solve the problem.
I have a 2004 honda accord and recently had a check engine light come on. When I had it read, it showed 02 sensor. When I brought it to my mechanic, he told me it was the catalytic converter. Upon driving my car, the gears were slipping and my mechanic told me that I needed a new transmission. I got a used transmission put in. Drove the car for about a week, no problem!! Now, the car is having weird trouble shifting gears. It kind of goes into limp mode after reaching 3rd gear. I have to pull over, put car in park. Turn engine off and back on. I can usually tell when this is about to happen because the green light beside the D on the display panel will start to blink. Any thoughts on what this might be?!?? Maybe a sensor??
Do you know what that green light is supposed to mean? I would take the car back to the shop that replaced the transmission and have them take a look at it. They will likely stand behind their work.
Good evening mr Sean… I have a toyota matrix 2007…recently my mechanic just worked on the engine cause it got knocked… Now the engine works fine, but the issue now is, we try test driving, it is so slow in thinking to move, but when it moves, it goes on, it is hard to climb little height hill.. The speedometer is not moving also.. Please what could be the issue? Rewire tech tried to change the clip socket to the speedometer cus it got broken during mechanic work, which left the terminals with only the 3 pins connector. Please help, thanks, I don’t want the gear to be tampered with.. Cause rewire was saying I should see a gear master
I’m not sure I understand. What was the last work that was done to the car? Are there any codes?