CEL Help

[HuGo]

My CEL light is on. I got the following code:

P0500 - Vehicle Speed Sensor VSS Malfunction.

I dont know exactly what this means? Along with the CEL i have the ABS light on.

Ive reseted the code and after a few miles of driving the CEL comes back up. And it's just this code.

What is it? How do i fix it?

Thanks in advance.

PS, this would have nothing to do with failing emission correct?

[1996 328ti]

PS, this would have nothing to do with failing emission correct?
You can not pass emissions with a CEL on. I'm pretty sure this is true in all 50 states that have emission testing even though your faults aren't emission related.

[HuGo]

I need to fix this problem by next tues cuz im taking my car to the state ref.

Anyway, any idea guys?

[AlaskaBlue]

Seems like you could buy a new speed sensor or take out the bulb.

[HuGo]

I'm having a feeling that it might be my lsd? It doesn't tell me front or rear.

Is there a seperate unit that erases ABS codes?

[1996 328ti]

Seems like you could buy a new speed sensor or take out the bulb.Removing the bulb will throw another fault. There is actually a code for blown bulb.

[thesk8nmidget]

will he still be able to do an emissions test with a bulb removed and pass if the car comes clean on emissions?

or will they fail you if you have a "blown bulb?"

[HuGo]

Any help please??????

[1996 328ti]

will he still be able to do an emissions test with a bulb removed and pass if the car comes clean on emissions?

or will they fail you if you have a "blown bulb?"
In Maryland you would fail with and CEL.
A blown bulb is still a fault.

[adamud]

I just googled the code and the thing that kept on coming up was on 740il. It kept saying that it was the speed senor, so I'd start there.

[tiFreak]

In Maryland you would fail with and CEL.
A blown bulb is still a fault.

same thing in Vermont, luckily it doesn't apply to me since I work in a shop that does inspections, my subaru had 4 moniters "not ready" (the max is 3) and my license plate lights were out and I still got a sticker:biggrin:

[HuGo]

Whats a speed sensor? Is it the thing that goes in the rear cover of the diff? Cuz my cluster works fine with RPMS, MPH, Gas, and temp.

[cooljess76]

HuGo, this might be a longshot, but when did this code come up? Have you had it for a while or did it just pop up recently? The reason I'm asking is because IIRC, you'll get this code if you run two different sized tires on the back. Have you used a spare tire for say a flat lately? It may not be the problem, but I just thought I'd throw it out there for you. Best of luck bud!
Jess

[HuGo]

Someone told my dad about that too. That the reason it came up is maybe cuz i have bigger wheels. But i bought my car with different 18s and it never came up. I dont remember exactly when the code came up, but it wasnt recent. It was up for a while now. About the same time you noticed about lit up tail lights. About that long. So thats a few months now.

[cooljess76]

Hmmm, well when I said different sized tires, I meant like a 15 on the driver's side and a 17 on the passenger's side. I'm sure if both sides are the same, you'll be fine. That's why I asked if you had a flat recently, but since you said that you reset the code and it came back, it's probably something else.

BTW, the pics are in my camera, but I left the docking cradle in my photography class. I'll email them to you tomorrow.

[HuGo]

Well i need to know what it is or what i can do soon? I have to take it to the state ref next tuesday.

[aceyx]

Do the following work: ABS, ASC+T, cruise control?

[cooljess76]

He's had issues with all three of those in the past. I don't think he has ASC anymore since he has an LSD.

[HuGo]

* I never had an ASC.
* My cruise control started working perfectly after my dad fixed the brake lights problem.

[thesk8nmidget]

um what about instead of removing the bulb just covering it with tape so it doesnt shine through? that was there wouldnt be burnt bulb indication

[cooljess76]

Well for now, you could bring a scantool to the state referee and clear the code in the parking lot before you go inside. If the vehicle doesn't move, and is just sitting in the parking lot when they come out to inspect it, the CEL and code should stay off. I'm all for fixing the problem, but for the time being so you're not stressing out, there's always that.

[thesk8nmidget]

yeah!!! seems like a good idea as long as it stay clear for a little bit

[aceyx]

* I never had an ASC.
* My cruise control started working perfectly after my dad fixed the brake lights problem.
What about ABS?

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=600452

[HuGo]

I rescheduled for march 11 instead of next week. But i still want to get fixed.

I was told that if i reseted the code like a block away...the computer will show empty (or something like that with no data or something) and will make me fail?

IDK, regardless, i want to get this fixed.

[1996 328ti]

I rescheduled for march 11 instead of next week. But i still want to get fixed.

I was told that if i reseted the code like a block away...the computer will show empty (or something like that with no data or something) and will make me fail?

IDK, regardless, i want to get this fixed.I forgot what it's called, they can tell if it was just reset. So yeah. You need to get it fixed. Or move to SC where there is no emissions or inspection.


Oh wait. What am I saying? :)

[HuGo]

This is so messed up. When anyone else asks for help they get it right away. When i ask for help no one posts anything.

[HuGo]

What exactly do you want from us? I'm trying to help.

That link I posted explains how to test wheel speed sensors. If you answer all my questions, I can point you in a closer direction of which one to look at to save you time. This is not a problem that will just go away unless you fix or replace something--and I'm trying to save you money as well by telling you which one to fix or replace.

If you think I'm going to tell you where the secret button is that will magically fix all your ails or fly out there, fix your car and make you breakfast, you'd better stop eating retard sandwiches because they're making you stupid.

This forum doesn't exist to hold your hand through every mechanical problem you ever experience, it's here to provide the information and knowledge necessary for you to do it on your own.

In order for us to do that, we need information from you. Your car is 3000 miles away from me, so I need you to tell me pertinent details about it. If you're unsure if information will help, laziness is the only thing that will prevent you from adding it in here.

I would also like to know what you have done since acknowledging this problem other than reading/resetting codes and trying to figure out a way to cheat your emissions test.

Well im not trying to cheat my emissions that's why i said i wanted to fix the problem.

I already said what was working. My cluster works so its actually telling me how fast im going, my abs light is on, i had changed to an LSD diff so maybe this is the problem, cruise control works, i dont have different size tires or wheels, i havent gotten a flat tire, and so on.

Its not like i just came and said, "i got a P0500 code, fix it for me."

I think i sort of narrowed it down atleast a bit and said what is and not working. But since i have no idea about this stuff, im still clueless. If i knew, i dont think i would have asked. But since i dont know, i was trying to get some help.

But its not just this thread im talking about, it has happen in the past where no one likes to help me. So i guess i gotta swallow the fact that i guess some ppl just dont want to help me. What can i do.

[aceyx]

Any luck with a multimeter?

And my apologies for that reply, I'd been kind of frantic that week and after realizing my mistake tried to get back and delete it. I try to never take out my frustration on people that don't deserve it, but sometimes it gets the best of me.

[HuGo]

I'm going to see if i can fix it this weekend. Im strongly thinking its the diff because my dad checked the front ones and he said its fine. Im not sure if the diff sensor needs to be in a perfect position. Maybe i need a bigger washer or smaller, idk.

[elchicano318ti]

Remember you have some bad rep with some people here but forget them. I would help but i don't know anything of what you are talking about so i would be stupid of me to try and act like i do. But maybe some people are as confused as you are and don't have an answer either.

[thesk8nmidget]

ok so a few things....

you have an e30 diff correct?

so are you running your ti speed sensor or the e30 sensor?

i ran my sensor off of my ti in the e30 diff. it lined up the same direction and everything.

if you need me to i could go tkae a picture of it in the diff and you could go from there. but i would make sure its connected and the wires look good. also just make sure its tight .

[HuGo]

Actually, i have an E28 (7-series) diff with an E30 cover. I think the sensor im using is from the E30 cover. What im going to do is try and remove the sensor off the open diff (stock ti diff) and try that one.

If the problem is fixed, would the ABS light remove on its own, or will it need to be reset?

[thesk8nmidget]

umm im not sure about the light but i bet your problem is the sensor.

let us know how it turns out

[cooljess76]

I know exactly what the problem is. Actually I knew what it was all along. PayPal me 20 bucks and I'll tell you:tongue:
:icon_poke

[HuGo]

I took out the sensor from my open 318ti diff and put it into this one. I cleared the code. The CEL light came back up. I just hope its for the DISA this time only and not for the vehicle speed.

[Tyler]

You can not pass emissions with a CEL on. I'm pretty sure this is true in all 50 states that have emission testing even though your faults aren't emission related.

My car passed inspection almost 2 yrs ago with my CEL on. My problem was with the DISA sensor/valve.

[thesk8nmidget]

just put a picture of a good looking girl in front of your cluster and call it good. someone obn here has done that and they never looked at the light.

[HuGo]

My car passed inspection almost 2 yrs ago with my CEL on. My problem was with the DISA sensor/valve.

Ive gotten that code since i installed my supercharger. LoL. Tuning Technique was suppose to have removed it but it still keeps coming up.

[HuGo]

just put a picture of a good looking girl in front of your cluster and call it good. someone obn here has done that and they never looked at the light.

Not a bad idea.

[L84THSKY]

I installed a 3.46 LSD. I know my ASC still works fine.

I don't think he has ASC anymore since he has an LSD.

[L84THSKY]

I never had any codes come up when I swapped in my E28 3.46 LSD. I also swapped to E30 halfshafts. Maybe you damaged the ABS sensors when you swapped halfshafts.

Actually, i have an E28 (7-series) diff with an E30 cover. I think the sensor im using is from the E30 cover. What im going to do is try and remove the sensor off the open diff (stock ti diff) and try that one.

If the problem is fixed, would the ABS light remove on its own, or will it need to be reset?

[HuGo]

I never had any codes come up when I swapped in my E28 3.46 LSD. I also swapped to E30 halfshafts. Maybe you damaged the ABS sensors when you swapped halfshafts.

I have the same thing as you. Ill check the abs too.

[thesk8nmidget]

the e30 shafts i got didnt have the teeth like my ti shafts did so the abs sensors wouldnt sense it right and i got a light from it.

on your e30 shafts that you used have teeth where the sensor is located or was it smooth?

[L84THSKY]

You have to use halfshafts from a car that came with ABS. Some E30's did, some didn't. Without the teeth, I don't think the ABS will work.

the e30 shafts i got didnt have the teeth like my ti shafts did so the abs sensors wouldnt sense it right and i got a light from it.

on your e30 shafts that you used have teeth where the sensor is located or was it smooth?

[thesk8nmidget]

exactly.

i have the shafts with no teeth and it made the light come on.

abs seems to still work i have tried stomping the brakes in the rain and it still doesnt slide.

[cooljess76]

just put a picture of a good looking girl in front of your cluster and call it good. someone on here has done that and they never looked at the light.
Lol, did I post that somewhere? I did that when I took my Honda to get inspected in Virginia. Wedged a pic of my girlfriend in front of the SRS light and passed inspection:biggrin: I still have the pic somewhere, I let you borrow it:tongue:

[thesk8nmidget]

hahaahahahahaha yeah i think it was you!
we could make that the official check engine light distraction for site supporters :)

[cooljess76]

Good memory Josh!
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showpost.php?p=101498&postcount=7
It was actually my SRS light that I was hiding from the inspector. BTW, the Bosch universal o2 sensor didn't work, ended up going with Bosch OEM.

[tiFreak]

I still have the pic somewhere, I let you borrow it:tongue:

I'll take it :_pelvic2:

[thesk8nmidget]

thanks i seem to recall a lot of past posts but its sooo damn hard to remeber in what thread and who said it.

im on here to much :biggrin:

hugo any word on what was triggering the light?

[Tyler]

Ive gotten that code since i installed my supercharger. LoL. Tuning Technique was suppose to have removed it but it still keeps coming up.


I just had mine replaced last week. Damn it was expensive for a mechanic to do.

[HuGo]

I havent read the codes yet. I seriously hope its just the DISA now. Still dont know why my ABS light is on.