SPEED SENSOR MY 1999 FORD ESCORT WAGON HAS A PROBLEM . THE CODE INDICATES P0500 VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR MALFUNCTION. I CANNOT FIND THE SENSOR.IT IS A 2.OL MANUAL TRANS.CAN YOU HELP ME TO LOCATE THE SENSOR. THANK YOU

taking your vehicle to a qualified reair shop to have it diagnosed would be a good thing to do . You could not have traced all wires ! Because i'm sure you haven't any idea how this works . An a factory scan tool is a must to diagnose this .Do you know what ford SCP data network is ?
Speedometer
The instrument cluster receives the vehicle speed signal from the powertrain control module (PCM) over the standard corporate protocol (SCP) network and displays it on the speedometer gauge. If the instrument cluster receives no vehicle speed signal after one second, the speedometer defaults to 0.0 km/h (0.0 mph).

Vehicle Speed Sensor
The vehicle speed sensor (VSS) (Figure 52) is a variable reluctance or Hall-effect sensor that generates a waveform with a frequency that is proportional to the speed of the vehicle. If the vehicle is moving at a relatively low velocity, the sensor produces a signal with a low frequency. As the vehicle velocity increases, the sensor generates a signal with a higher frequency. The PCM uses the frequency signal generated by the VSS (and other inputs) to control such parameters as fuel injection, ignition control, transmission/transaxle shift scheduling and torque converter clutch scheduling.

P0500 - Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) Malfunction Indicates the powertrain control module (PCM) detected an error in the vehicle speed information. Vehicle speed data is received from either the vehicle speed sensor (VSS), the transfer case speed sensor (TCSS) or the anti-lock brake system (ABS) control module. If the engine RPM is above the torque converter stall speed (automatic transmission) and the engine load is high, it can be inferred that the vehicle must be moving. If there is insufficient vehicle speed data input, a malfunction is indicated and a DTC is set. On most vehicle applications the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is triggered when this DTC is set.

• Open in the VSS+/VSS- harness circuit.
• Open in the TCSS signal or the TCSS signal return harness circuit.
• Short to GND in the VSS harness circuit.
• Short to GND in the TCSS harness circuit.
• Short to PWR in the VSS harness circuit.
• Short to PWR in the TCSS harness circuit.
• Damaged drive mechanism for VSS or TCSS.
• Damaged VSS or TCSS.
• Damaged wheel speed sensors.
• Damaged wheel speed sensor harness circuits.
• Damage in the module(s) connected to the VSC/VSS circuit.
• Open or short in the vehicle speed circuit VSS signal between the ABS VSS signal output and the VSS signal inputs to the PCM and other modules (Excursion and F-Super Duty).

Monitor the VSS PID while driving vehicle. This DTC is set when the PCM detects a sudden loss of vehicle speed signal over a period of time. If vehicle speed data is lost, check the source of where the vehicle speed input originates from: VSS, TCSS or ABS. Note: On some MSOF applications, VSS and TCSS PID can be monitor. However if no TCSS PID is available and VSS PID is zero, TCSS circuitry frequency must be checked for loss of sensor signal. If another vehicle electronic module has generated the P0500 and the vehicle does not receive its vehicle speed input from one of the above mention sources (VSS, TCSS or ABS). Check the PCM for Output Shaft Speed Sensor (OSS) DTCs. On OSS applications the PCM uses the OSS to calculated the vehicle speed. If no OSS DTCs are found check for correct PCM configuration. Check PCM configuration for correct tire size and axle ratio. P0501 - Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) Range/Performance Indicates the powertrain control module (PCM) detected an error in the vehicle speed information. This DTC is set the same way as P0500, however the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is not triggered.

• Refer to possible causes for P0500.

Refer to Diagnostic Aids for P0500. P0503 - Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) Intermittent Indicates poor or noisy VSS performance. Vehicle speed data is received from either the vehicle speed sensor (VSS), the transfer case speed sensor (TCSS), or the anti-lock brake system (ABS) control module.

• Noisy VSS/TCSS input signal from the radio frequency interference / electro-magnetic interference (RFI/EMI) external sources, such as ignition components or the charging circuit.
• Damaged VSS or driven gears.
• Damaged TCSS.
• Damaged wiring harness or connectors.
• Malfunction in the module(s) or circuit connected to the VSS/TCSS circuit.
• After market add-on.

Monitor the VSS PID while driving the vehicle. Check for intermittent vehicle speed indication. Verify the ignition and charging system are functioning correctly.

The speedometer stopped working ? is this what you meant ? You probably have a bad VSS - vehicle speed sensor . The VSS is an input to the PCM - engine computer , besides being a signal for the speedometer it is used for shift control and other thing's .
Vehicle Speed Sensor The vehicle speed sensor (VSS) (Figure 43) is a variable reluctance or Hall-effect sensor that generates a waveform with a frequency that is proportional to the speed of the vehicle. If the vehicle is moving at a relatively low velocity, the sensor produces a signal with a low frequency. As the vehicle velocity increases, the sensor generates a signal with a higher frequency. The PCM uses the frequency signal generated by the VSS (and other inputs) to control such parameters as fuel injection, ignition control, transmission/transaxle shift scheduling and torque converter clutch scheduling. You could possibly have a DTC stored in the PCM.
P0500 - Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) Malfunction Indicates the powertrain control module (PCM) detected an error in the vehicle speed information. Vehicle speed data is received from either the vehicle speed sensor (VSS), transfer case speed sensor (TCSS), anti-lock brake system (ABS) control module, generic electronic module (GEM), or central timer module (CTM). If the engine rpm is above the torque converter stall speed (automatic transmission) and engine load is high, it can be inferred that the vehicle must be moving. If there is insufficient vehicle speed data input, a malfunction is indicated and a DTC is set. On most vehicle applications the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will be triggered when this DTC is set.

• Open in VSS+/VSS- harness circuit.
• Open in TCSS signal or TCSS signal return harness circuit.
• Short to GND in VSS harness circuit.
• Short to GND in TCSS harness circuit.
• Short to PWR in VSS harness circuit.
• Short to PWR in TCSS harness circuit.
• Open or short in the vehicle speed circuit(s) (VSC) between the PCM and appropriate control module.
• Damaged VSS or TCSS.
• Damaged wheel speed sensors.
• Damaged wheel speed sensor harness circuits.
• Damage in module(s) connected to VSC/VSS circuit.
• Damage drive mechanism for VSS or TCSS.

Diagnostic Aids: - Monitor VSS PID while driving vehicle. This DTC is set when the PCM detects a sudden loss of VSS signal over a period of time. If vehicle speed data is lost, check source of where vehicle speed signal originates. Note TCSS does not have a PID, circuitry frequency must be checked for sudden loss of sensor signal. P0501 - Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) Range/ Performance Indicates the powertrain control module (PCM) detected an error in the vehicle speed information. This DTC is set the same way as P0500, however the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is not triggered.

• Refer to possible causes for P0500.

Refer to diagnostic aids for P0500.

If you do nothing ?

You will ruin the transaxle &
have a $4,000 repair bill

code p0500 refers to vehicle speed sensor (VSS)--circuit malfunction===causes --wiring ---VSS---ECM
replace the VSS

P0500 stands for vehicle speed sensor malfunction
P0174 stands for System to lean (Bank 2) so you proably arent getting enough fuel or spark
P1131 = Insufficient Switching O2 Bank 1 Sensor 1 Sensor/Lean

Error Code: P0500
Fault :
Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) - Circuit Malfunction
Possible Cause:
1. Wiring harness.
2. Vehicle speed sensor (VSS).
3. Engine control module (ECM).
4. Combination meter.

P0500 - Vehicle Speed Sensor Malfunction
Basically this means that the vehicle's speed as read by the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) is not working properly.

Symptoms of a P0500 DTC may include:
* loss of anti-lock brakes
* the "anti-lock" or "brake" warning lamps on the dash may be lit
* the speedometer or odometer may not work properly (or at all)
* your vehicle's RPM limiter may be decreased
* the shifting of an automatic transmission may become erratic
* other symptoms may also be present

Causes: A code P0500 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:
* The Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) is not reading (functioning) properly
* There is a broken/frayed wire leading to the vehicle speed sensor
* The vehicle's PCM is not correctly configured for the actual tire size on the vehicle

Possible Solutions: The simplest thing to do is to reset the code and see if it comes back.

Next, check all wiring and connectors that lead to the speed sensor. The location of the sensor depends on your vehicle. The sensor could be on the rear axle, transmission, or perhaps the wheel hub (brake) assembly.

If the wiring and connectors are OK, then check the voltage at the speed sensor. Again, the exact procedure wil depend on your make and model of vehicle.

If everything looks OK, replace the sensor.

I hope helps; remember to rate and comment this.

P0500 - Vehicle Speed Sensor Malfunction

They are not the sensors you want. The car uses the abs wheel sensors for vehicle speed. Your problem lies in the abs system , possibly the left front sensor, abs ecu or speedo cluster, Clear the code and see if it stay out otherwise you'll need to go to a trusted technician. .

Your codes are as follows:

U1262 communications bus fault
P0500 Vehicle Speed Sensor Malfunction
P0720 Output Speed Sensor Circuit Malfunction

What, if any, symptoms is your vehicle showing?

If your Vehicle Spped Sensor has gone bad, it can cause loss of anti-lock brakes, "anti-lock" or "brake" warning lamps on the dash, the speedometer or odometer may not work properly (or at all), your vehicle's RPM limiter may be decreased or automatic transmission shifting to be erratic.