Speedometer/Odometer Not Working + Related Warning Lights (P0500)

[Madarasskishbosh]

Thanks for the post I have a 2002 4 runner had exact problem replaced computer all well now


Thanks

Is there a specific guide to follow when replacing the Control Module? I have looked on YouTube and nothing helpful so far.

Planning to pick up a used computer from a wrecked 2001 for $150.

 

[michaelmike]

Hey, didn't see your post until now. I've pretty much decided that the ABS/VSC module is bad like you say. The signals in to the ABS/VSC module are good (analog wheel sensors) but the signal going out to the ECU and speedometer are bad. I don't think that the instrument cluster is bad -- I think it was replaced unnecessarily in one of those linked threads.

However I'm still trying to find a replacement part out of an '01 or '02 (89540-35270). The ones on eBay are too expensive for me right now. I'll update when I get one and install it. Hopefully that will fix it, and then I'm going to crack open the old module to see if there's anything obviously wrong.

Curious to hear how things turned out with your son's 4Runner. Maybe the brake light is burned out? As far as I can tell, the mileage in the digital odometer on the newer 3rd gen 4Runners is stored in the ECU module behind the glove compartment, so that would have had to have been replaced or tampered with in order to read different now.

I have same issue started with knock sensor to tps to VSS changed VSS and all 4 abs still no good right rear abs had diff fluid on it I’m thinking this is causing the code throwing variable signals. ANYONE PLEASE HELP I have been rolling through old post and trying to get response but no luck yet

 

[michaelmike]

Thanks bud. I did run a scan when she got home. Looks like the module was the most common fix. Going to dig into EBAY today and pick up a used OEM. Can't believe what a new one costs.

I tried this with eBay part with no fix I may try another eBay part but so far I’m 0 for 3 abs/vsc/trac no good, driver door power window switch unit. Driver side door switch broke in unit, lastly OEM speeds sensor TPS not even close. Cheap old man keeps getting burned by eBay anyone else have this kinda bad luck

 

[phattyduck]

The only code I got back is P0500 which I was told at the shop is the Vehicle Speed Sensor located on the tranny.

P0500 will happen if your speedo doesn't work.

Your truck ECU reads a signal from the gauge cluster for the speed sensor, which gets is signal from the ABS system, which uses the 4 ABS sensors at the hubs to create.

Fix the ABS system and the rest will fix itself.

The speed sensors in/on the trans are for shifting/controlling the transmission only and do not output information to the ECU or cluster for vehicle speed information. There is a spot on your transfer case for a vehicle speed sensor, but it is blocked off (only used on early non-ABS 3rd gens).

-Charlie

 

[michaelmike]

I am holding on to it to see if someone can troubleshoot it. Any suggestions?

Wow 2013 prob same ole story for me no luck with help I have 2 ABS/V/T modules. Bought truck with bad one I thought and eBay module didn’t fix. I also have the revlimiter safety still on with the 0500 code replaced all ABS sensor cables as well. I did notice diff fluid on right rear abs surely this is the culprit that is limiting a proper wave to c/meter. Never have gotten a response. I found gear oil stop leak drained diff added this cleaned inside an sensor hole wiped ring and vacuumed very little fluid but maybe enough when driving to get the sensor magnets wet ??? Please help

 

[Madarasskishbosh]

Edit: For anybody reading this in the future, this specific problem and solution applies to 2001 and 2002 4Runners and is resolved by replacing the ABS/TRC/VSC module (P/N 89540-35270). Read below and this post for more details.

Sorry for the wordy post, writing this up to both consult the 3rd Gen Brain Trust and also record the troubleshooting and hopefully resolution of this problem.

This afternoon I was driving up to central California at freeway speeds (65-70mph) when all of a sudden I heard a click sound, the speedometer went to 0, and a bunch of warning lights came on. (None were on before this.)

• (!) BRAKE
• VSC OFF
• VSC TRAC
• ABS

I still had full control of the throttle so I drove in the slow lane to the next exit to try to figure out what was going on. During that short drive I noticed that the odometer was no longer working, which got me thinking that this was a wheel speed sensor issue....

Once parked, I tried the simplest fix (off and on), no dice. Looked at all the fuses in the driver footwell and the relevant ones in the hood box, all good. The Owner's Manual didn't have anything useful to say except of course to contact the dealer. Eventually I reasoned that it was safe for both the vehicle and me to continue, and to just be mindful that I didn't have ABS.

After taking off, the Check Engine light also came on after a mile or so.

On the way back, I noticed a couple times (could have happened more times unnoticed) that the slip indicator light to the left of the coolant temperature gauge flashed on, accompanied by a brief jump of the speedometer needle. It made it to maybe 20mph and the whole event was less than a second. No action from the throttle or brakes, and no buzzer noise.

Anyway I made it to where I was going and read the codes out. The code is P0500 which is "Vehicle Speed Sensor Malfunction." I'm starting to dig through forum topics and the Factory Service Manual and it looks like I'm in for a fun holiday weekend. :dance:

The symptoms are almost identical to this posting on ToyotaNation which sounds like an expensive replacement job. Yikes.
Speedometer and Odometer not working - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Collection of other relevant links:
02 ckengine, brake, abs, vsc trac indicators on - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums
Please help quick P0500 code question - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum
another p0500 issue - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/146104-p0500-cant-clear-code.html
Cel p0500 - YotaTech Forums
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/153257-speedometer-odometer-not-working.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/probl...ts-zero-point-calibration-10.html#post1864894
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...s-replace-their-skid-control-modules-yet.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/172601-abs-trc-vsc-control-module-89540-35270-a.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/179640-vsc-off-vtc-off-abs-brake-lights-all.html

Attached pic is of the instrument panel after I got home. Hit the cruise button because hey, it's Christmas gotta turn on all the lights.

Anyone knows if I could use 89540-35260 instead?

 

[Madarasskishbosh]

P0500 will happen if your speedo doesn't work.

Your truck ECU reads a signal from the gauge cluster for the speed sensor, which gets is signal from the ABS system, which uses the 4 ABS sensors at the hubs to create.

Fix the ABS system and the rest will fix itself.

The speed sensors in/on the trans are for shifting/controlling the transmission only and do not output information to the ECU or cluster for vehicle speed information. There is a spot on your transfer case for a vehicle speed sensor, but it is blocked off (only used on early non-ABS 3rd gens).

-Charlie

Thank you my guy. Looking to replace the ABS Control Module soon but haven’t found any 89540-35270. All I have found so far is 89540-35260. Heard the 89540-35270 is for the 16” wheels but the 89540-35260 would work. You think that’s true?

 

[Madarasskishbosh]

Hey everyone,
My 4Runner has all these symptoms and I have already ordered a used Skid Control ECU.
Just curious, did any of you also experience the brake buzzer along with the other related symptoms and lights? Wondering if the ECU would fix this as well or it’s a separate issue which could also cause all these lights to be on?

 

[96RedRunner]

Hey everyone,
My 4Runner has all these symptoms and I have already ordered a used Skid Control ECU.
Just curious, did any of you also experience the brake buzzer along with the other related symptoms and lights? Wondering if the ECU would fix this as well or it’s a separate issue which could also cause all these lights to be on?

Brake buzzer is part of what the ABS VSC Trac module controls. Buzzer is directly related to VSC.
Buzzer going off will not cause other symptoms.
If Buzzer persists a Zero Point Calibration would be next procedure to perform.

 

[Madarasskishbosh]

Thanks a lot. Was getting a bit concerned.

 

[Madarasskishbosh]

Edit: For anybody reading this in the future, this specific problem and solution applies to 2001 and 2002 4Runners and is resolved by replacing the ABS/TRC/VSC module (P/N 89540-35270). Read below and this post for more details.

Sorry for the wordy post, writing this up to both consult the 3rd Gen Brain Trust and also record the troubleshooting and hopefully resolution of this problem.

This afternoon I was driving up to central California at freeway speeds (65-70mph) when all of a sudden I heard a click sound, the speedometer went to 0, and a bunch of warning lights came on. (None were on before this.)

• (!) BRAKE
• VSC OFF
• VSC TRAC
• ABS

I still had full control of the throttle so I drove in the slow lane to the next exit to try to figure out what was going on. During that short drive I noticed that the odometer was no longer working, which got me thinking that this was a wheel speed sensor issue....

Once parked, I tried the simplest fix (off and on), no dice. Looked at all the fuses in the driver footwell and the relevant ones in the hood box, all good. The Owner's Manual didn't have anything useful to say except of course to contact the dealer. Eventually I reasoned that it was safe for both the vehicle and me to continue, and to just be mindful that I didn't have ABS.

After taking off, the Check Engine light also came on after a mile or so.

On the way back, I noticed a couple times (could have happened more times unnoticed) that the slip indicator light to the left of the coolant temperature gauge flashed on, accompanied by a brief jump of the speedometer needle. It made it to maybe 20mph and the whole event was less than a second. No action from the throttle or brakes, and no buzzer noise.

Anyway I made it to where I was going and read the codes out. The code is P0500 which is "Vehicle Speed Sensor Malfunction." I'm starting to dig through forum topics and the Factory Service Manual and it looks like I'm in for a fun holiday weekend. :dance:

The symptoms are almost identical to this posting on ToyotaNation which sounds like an expensive replacement job. Yikes.
Speedometer and Odometer not working - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Collection of other relevant links:
02 ckengine, brake, abs, vsc trac indicators on - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums
Please help quick P0500 code question - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum
another p0500 issue - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/146104-p0500-cant-clear-code.html
Cel p0500 - YotaTech Forums
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/153257-speedometer-odometer-not-working.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/probl...ts-zero-point-calibration-10.html#post1864894
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...s-replace-their-skid-control-modules-yet.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/172601-abs-trc-vsc-control-module-89540-35270-a.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/179640-vsc-off-vtc-off-abs-brake-lights-all.html

Attached pic is of the instrument panel after I got home. Hit the cruise button because hey, it's Christmas gotta turn on all the lights.

Hey everyone,

Recently replaced the Skid Control ECU on mine. Almost all the lights went off except the VSC OFF and VSC TRAC light. I drove around more than ten miles and they still remained on. Performed a zero point calibration and got rid of those. However, there is still a brake buzzer coming from the ABS Control Module. Is there any other way I can reset this since the zero point calibration didn’t. Did anyone of you all also experience the brake buzzer along with the other symptoms of a bad ECU?

 

[Madarasskishbosh]

Hey,
I replaced the Skid Control ECU and my vehicle is functioning properly; all the warning light are off and both speedo and odo are working. That brake buzzer still remains though. I did perform a zero point calibration to get rid of both VSC lights so that should have reseted the buzzer right? What’s my next procedure if that didn’t work? There are no warning lights on the cluster.

 

[Turd Fergueson]

Owe you one

As a newbie here had to thank you for solving this problem for me . And showing the work in between that I got to avoid.

 

[RodrickHeffley]

As a newbie here had to thank you for solving this problem for me . And showing the work in between that I got to avoid.

Completely off topic but I love that SNL skit and that name.
RIP Norm McDonald

 

[96RedRunner]

[MENTION=729455]Madarasskishbosh[/MENTION]
There are two procedures that need to be performed from time to time.
Check post #9 deceleration sensor calibration.

01-02 4Runner How to Zero Point Calibrate your VSC system. - YotaTech Forums

 

[FarmerPete]

Finally scored a ABS/TRC/VSC module (P/N 89540-35270) on eBay for a decent price ($119 shipped). It was from a rollover and had some surface rust, see below. For anybody looking for these, on junkyard search engines they are listed as "Computer Box Not Engine" and go for around $200-300. On eBay the Buy It Now listings are usually $240-300.

Bolted it in and hooked up all the harnessing, and all the lights went off except Check Engine, VSC OFF, and VSC TRAC. Drove it around the block to confirm that the speedometer and odometer were working again. I then used my OBDLink MX and my phone to clear the codes, and all the lights were off. I was a little surprised that the VSC lights went off because I thought I might have to recalibrate the vehicle yaw sensor with this new module, but apparently not.

Anyway, figured I'd update this with the resolution for anybody who has this issue in the future. I might tear open the old module later to see if I can figure out what went bad with it.

Hello everyone. I have 2002 with the same issue (speedo not working, check engine light, various brake and stability control lights). I purchased a used module (part no 89540-35270) and installed it. The speedo worked and check engine light went off, for about 1/4 mile. Then the speedo stopped working again and CEL came back on. I assume that either (i) the used module I bought was bad, or (ii) something else is causing the issue. Any thoughts?

 

[heat]

Pulled codes to see what the CEL is about?

 

[FarmerPete]

The only code is P0500.

 

[heat]

Might wanna follow up on that.

What are the Possible Causes of the Code P0500 Toyota?
Faulty Vehicle Speed Sensor
Vehicle speed sensor harness or connectors is open or shorted
Vehicle speed sensor circuit poor electrical connection
Faulty Combination Meter Assembly
Faulty Engine Control Module (ECM)

 

[96RedRunner]

Any thoughts?

Your first with 01-02 Brake Sys?
Trac module part number same as was in use? 89540-35270 is for 16" wheels as built other is for 15" wheels.
Could of received a bad one contact seller ASAP.
Fixed same problem on a as is 01 purchase simple plug n play module swap in the end.
New to me brake system FSM troubleshooting flow chart layed it out (P0500) is the generic CEL.