Speedometer not functioning
Asked by jt20110627 Dec 27, 2015 at 11:02 PM about the 2011 Toyota Corolla LE
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
I got into a minor accident and took my car in to get fixed at a local
mechanic. After I picked it up there were several lights on. My ABS light,
power steering, check engine light, traction control light, as well as my
break light are all on. My speedometer and odometer are both not
functioning. The RPMs are also running pretty high and slightly erratic. The
two codes that come up are p0500 and p1604. I figured It was the front
right wheel speed sensor (since thats where got hit) but I replaced it and
that still didn't fix it. Any ideas? The only other thing I'm getting online is
maybe the Vehicle Speed Sensor.
34 Answers
You took it to a terrible mechanic. OK, first whenever the DTC, (Diagnostic Trouble Code) system or OBDII (Onboard Diagnostics) detects a fault in the drive train the ECU, the computer, will automatically shut off the TRAC ( Traction Control) system so no non driver input is applied to TRAC, such as brake or power to any wheels, which is what TRAC does. I need a minute to look up those codes, BRB
P0500 means that the vehicle's speed as read by the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) is not working properly. And loss of ABS. Now, P1604 does not exist. I looked at 4 different sites that are reputable and and none list it, or just say "not found". Give me a few minutes to do some research, Corollas are my specialty.
The main VSS is on the transaxle. This image will go full screen, click on it.
Now, there are are wheel speed sensors, as shown here. My suggestion is contact your insurance, hopefully you carry full, comprehensive coverage and sic them on that so-called mechanic. Shop. I know it's easy for me to say, but you should have never accepted the car from the shop like that. It needs much more work, accident minor or not. They (the mechanic) it sounds like he just made it worse. You do not deserve to be treated this way, it irks me to hear it. May I ask why you replaced the wheel speed sensor yourself, or do you mean you had it replaced? And I'm not done. Check back later or tomorrow here.
Just one more thing before I go. Were you hit by another car right on a wheel? If so, which wheel? And speed of impact? Please describe accident in detail, for my research. Thanks
jt20110627 answered 8 years ago
First off, I appreciate the help, and especially how quickly. The only reason I even left the shop with it is because he seemed to have no idea what he was doing when I asked him about that. He seemed knowledgeable about everything else but with the lights on he seemed stumped. And they weren't on when I dropped it off there, so I kinda just cut my losses and went elsewhere. I just didn't really trust him to fix that. I only replaced the WSS myself because after looking it up it was pretty easy to do myself. A good buddy of mine who knows more than I do, though not enough for this, walked me through it. Piece of cake really. The code was definitely P1604. I looked right at it and wrote it down immediately. The only thing I've been able to find is "startability malfunction" which makes no sense and I can't seem to find anything more on it.
http://corolla-club.ru/doc1/413e7ad0f326502bb086e4fe557b27e3.html
jt20110627 answered 8 years ago
As far as the accident, I just fell asleep and hit a guardrail. Impact was right in front of the wheel. Mostly cosmetic damage and a messed up rim and a bent strut. (At least that's what the mechanic told me).
This DTC is stored if the engine does not start or continues to crank without starting for a certain period of time. This DTC is also stored if the vehicle has run out of fuel. It is necessary to check whether there was enough fuel in the fuel tank before performing this inspection ---- nonsense to me. I really will look in to this
You did the right thing by getting you car away from that grease-monkey. This stuff happens, dozing off and drifting off in to guard rail. I just have to admit, I have a Corolla and have studied them, and you got me awake tonight!
jt20110627 answered 8 years ago
My instinct tells me the P1604 is probably just caused by whatever my other issue is. From everything I've read, I'd think its my VSS. However, I don't see that being damaged by what happened. I had originally assumed the WSS on the tire that I hit, however that didn't do it. So I'm more or less lost.
jt20110627 I have not forgotten about you. This one has me stumped. I have asked for help from some really good mechanics I know, and just want you to know that. Have not heard back. Yet. ~~David
Any update in this issue? Is finally fixed or not. I have same problem on my 2010 Corolla after accident on right front.
jt20110627 answered 8 years ago
It ended up being a wiring harness gone bad and a bad tire pressure sensor.
jt20110627 answered 8 years ago
The dealership charged me a little over 200. Diagnosing the issue is 100 but they don't charge it If you have them do the repair so it wasn't too bad
Thanks for your quick update.
And other thing your steering was little stiff too, because I'm feeling my steering is not powered as it was before.
jt20110627 answered 8 years ago
Your power steering could be affected if its an electrical issue. Just depends where the problem is. I can't say for sure. That's assuming you have electric power steering. If its older it may be something else
Yes, It is 2010 Corolla and has electric power steering.
jt20110627 answered 8 years ago
I'd guess its an electrical issue. From what I've gathered from my incident if you have unrelated stuff like that popping up its probably a wiring harness. On corollas if I'm not mistaken they're separated into several sections and any section can get damaged or what have you. You could probably look up how to check all the connections yourself honestly
How can i replace in my corolla 2015 the speed sensor vss
which wiring harness is the bad one? im having the same exact problems on my 2009 corolla?????
tejassinha13 answered 6 years ago
Hi, I have the exact same problem. Do you think getting the wiring harness fixed will solve the issue. Thanks
I have a 2012 corolla with the same exact problem only the Toyota dealership is wanting to charge me $4580 for the wiring harness and labor. Did you get a section of the harness replaced? Please help!
Mine turned out to be a power steering sensor it took $1400 to fix it, I took it to different shops before but noone could figure it out so i had to bite the bullet and get it fixed at the dealer, if you can take it to a different shop, at the dealer they charge a lot but they fix it right
Also you might be off buying a new car my 2009 toyota corrola xrs was $4300 with 101k miles
hi were can I get left weel speed sensor for Toyota corolla quest around Pretoria
Corollasid answered 4 years ago
@ajay95648 did you get it fixed? What was the fault for you that had to be rectified? I am having almost same trouble... While driving the speedometer went to 0 and handbrake light and check engine light turned on...power steering became a bit hard and car wont go into higher gear...odometer isnt working eigther...
Corollasid answered 4 years ago
I should mention that the abs light was on for a long time.... Also someone had hit my right rear wheel and door corner a few months back but the driving or anything wasn't effected after the minor accident on the right rear wheel... Could it be due to some abs sensor or harness as someone had mentioned in a youtube video?
Corollasid answered 4 years ago
Okay i had seen a guy on youtube who showed connecting the snapped abs wire that goes above the tire bay...mine was snapped at the same point and i joined the two wire abs wires and all the loghts went off..speedometer started working abs lights gone and handbrake lights gone also...power steering fully functional....the engine light is still on..maybe i have to reset it? Strange it showed code p0500 p0560 p1603 p1605 before...will connect obd2 and see again
GuruDZKV66 answered 7 months ago
can anyone help me with locating the intermediate shaft speed sensor "c" on my 2020 toyota corolla SE 2.0 ?? error code is p2751