Speedometer/Odometer Not Working

[A4_2.8tuner]

The other day my speedometer started acting erratic, and then fell to "0"mph. The odometer is not working as well.

The car then threw a CEL

the codes are as follows:

16885- Vehicle Speed Sensor: implausible Signal P0501

and then I have an ABS light and the code for that is

00290 ABS Wheel Speed Sensor; Rear Left (G46)


I recently replaced the Crank Position (vehicle speed) sensor last week, and all was working fine.

The ABS issue has come on a couple times in the past, but never had any effect on the Speedometer, so I imagine that the 2 codes are non-related issues.

Does anyone have any insight on this? What is the typical culprit? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[S4tech2]

Sounds like a bad wheel speed sensor rear left. They aren't terribly expensive but will take an hour or so to replace.

[vavJETTAw36]

Rear left is expensive because it has leveler sensor built in. But buy the right side and cut the original out of the grommet and place the new one into it. It will save you a couple hundred bucks.


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[A4_2.8tuner]

so the wheel speed sensor can actually affect the speedometer? it's not the VSS (crank position sensor)?

[A4_2.8tuner]

To reply to this thread, I replaced the vehicle speed sensor a few weeks back and it seemed like it fixed the issue. Everything has been working well since...until today. It's doing the exact same thing again. However there is no code. I cannot imagine a brand new OEM sensor has failed within a matter of weeks. Does anyone have any other ideas on what it may be I'm relation to? Thanks.

[Eurotuned_A4]

To reply to this thread, I replaced the vehicle speed sensor a few weeks back and it seemed like it fixed the issue. Everything has been working well since...until today. It's doing the exact same thing again. However there is no code. I cannot imagine a brand new OEM sensor has failed within a matter of weeks. Does anyone have any other ideas on what it may be I'm relation to? Thanks.

Hey Brian,

There is a metal tone ring that the VSS reads off of. When my white avant had the erratic speedo people suggested it with the VSS. Luckily, VSS which is the simpler fix just needed to be replaced. If you are having the same issue after a new VSS, it could be the metal tone ring. Pretty sure I bought one when my avant had the issue just in case I needed it. I could send you if I'm able to find it. Considering the new sensor itself, it might be either bad connection or wiring, or that tone ring.

Edit: Check the first link in this thread with related issue:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ight=tone+ring

[NickW3]

Hey Brian,

There is a metal tone ring that the VSS reads off of. When my white avant had the erratic speedo people suggested it with the VSS. Luckily, VSS which is the simpler fix just needed to be replaced. If you are having the same issue after a new VSS, it could be the metal tone ring. Pretty sure I bought one when my avant had the issue just in case I needed it. I could send you if I'm able to find it. Considering the new sensor itself, it might be either bad connection or wiring, or that tone ring.

Edit: Check the first link in this thread with related issue:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ight=tone+ring

what he said^