A car’s transmission speed sensor, sometimes called a vehicle speed sensor (VSS), works out how quickly it’s moving along the road. When you look down at your car’s speedometer, the figure you see is communicated from this little component. Your vehicle depends on the transmission speed sensor to function correctly. If left unchecked, a faulty sensor can trigger a range of symptoms, which can have a significant impact on your ability to drive safely.

1. Transmission Light Comes On
2. Transmission Light On Car
3. Transmission Light On Car Won't Start

Because this sensor is so important to your vehicle, it’s crucial to know the signs that something’s amiss. Below, we run some common symptoms of a bad transmission speed sensor, what they mean, and how these sensors work in your car.

A transmission that is low on fluid may slip or fail to shift promptly. Transmission fluid provides lubrication and hydraulic pressure for the transmission, so if the fluid is low or too old, you may experience shifting problems. Old transmission fluid is an issue because it does not provide the same amount of lubrication as new fluid. It varies widely in costs depending on what you drive – economy car vs performance car, light duty vehicle or heavy-duty truck, gas or diesel engine – it all makes a difference. If you are extremely lucky, you’ll get your transmission replacement completed for $2,500 all in. If yours is one of the more expensive types, it could easily. First of all, is the light blinking or steady? According to Consumer Reports, blinking. If a t light on mean transmission overheating need a flush and filter change usually over heat cause filter clogged if u in Pennsylvania,Newjersy or deware try the mobile mechanic they come to you call 36 people found this helpful. Without knowing what the code is its hard to tell was is wrong. I can tell you when a x-type has this transmission fault light on about 90% of the time this means the tranny is failing or already has failed. I would start by just shut ing the car off and restarting it. If the light persists your most likely looking at some type transmission problem, and its most likely major.

What is a Transmission Speed Sensor?

A car’s transmission speed sensor is responsible for working out how fast the vehicle is travelling, and communicating this information to the engine control unit (ECU) – the ‘brain’ of the car. When the ECU in an automatic car receives this information, it is able to select the optimal gear for efficient driving at that speed. In both automatic and manual cars, the sensor helps to determine ignition timing and fuel injection, improving the car’s efficiency, controlling emissions, and improving drivability. The transmission speed sensor is also a vital component in electronic speedometers. It is located either on the transmission output shaft, or the crankshaft, and cars tend to have two of them, so their data can be corroborated.

The sensors function through a surprisingly simple mechanism. Each consists of three main components: a toothed metal disk, a detector, and a magnetic coil. The disc spins in time with the shaft it’s connected to, and as the teeth move past the magnetic coil, they interrupt the field it produces. This results in a series of magnetic pulses, rather than a continuous field. These pulses are fed into the car’s onboard computer, where their frequency is used to work out the speed of the car. The higher the pulse frequency, the faster the vehicle is travelling. A final speed reading is then communicated to a display on the dashboard, which can either be digital or analogue.

A car’s transmission speed sensor also allows the vehicle to keep track of the distance it has travelled: for every 40,000 magnetic pulses, the odometer reading increases by one mile.

What Can Go Wrong?

A transmission speed sensor can malfunction for a variety of reasons:

• Corrosion of the component
• Loose or disconnected wires
• Cracks in the housing of the sensor
• Sensors flying off of their shaft entirely
• A poor connection between the sensor and the ECU
• A damaged magnetic coil

Whatever it it that goes wrong, the symptoms are likely to be the same.

Symptoms to Watch Out For

If your car’s transmission speed sensor malfunctions or fails, you can expect to experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Faulty Cruise Control

If your car is equipped with cruise control, this functionality is usually one of the first things to suffer when a transmission speed sensor malfunctions. Without a properly functioning sensor, the ECU isn’t receiving information about the car’s speed. This makes it impossible for the vehicle to maintain a constant velocity. Without reliable speed information, the ECU will automatically prevent you from using cruise control until the problem is fixed. If you suspect your car has a faulty sensor, attempting to use cruise control can actually be a useful diagnostic method.

• Sluggish Shifting

When a transmission speed sensor malfunctions or fails, you’ll notice longer shifting intervals than you’re used to. This is because a car’s transmission depends upon information relayed by the ECU, which, in turn, depends on speed data from the sensors. If this speed data isn’t reliably conveyed, the ECU struggles to properly manage gear changes. All this results in a small but noticeable waiting period between shifts.

• Difficult Shifting

Even in a manual vehicle, a bad transmission speed sensor can cause gear shifting problems. Just moving the stick can be more difficult, and you may notice that the shaft feels rougher, or faster than usual when you shift. If you experience this symptom, consult a trusted mechanic or your dealership as soon as possible – smooth gear changes are vital for safe driving.

• Malfunctioning Speedometer

Transmission Light Comes On

As mentioned earlier, most modern cars are fitted with an electronic speedometer, which depends on a transmission speed sensor to function. If your speedometer is erratic, or doesn’t work at all, it could be because the dial or screen is not receiving consistent speed information from the transmission speed sensor.

• Illuminated Check Engine Light

The check engine light is something of a catch-all when it comes to car trouble, but if it illuminates in conjunction with another symptom on this list, there’s a good chance it has been triggered by a bad transmission speed sensor. When a sensor malfunctions or fails, the ECU will notice that it’s not receiving the speed data it should. In response, the check engine light is switched on.

Diagnosis

If you notice one or more of these symptoms, it’s important to take your car to a trusted mechanic as soon as possible. A bad transmission speed sensor makes for rough and difficult gear changes, and can leave you without an accurate speedometer. All this adds up to a dangerous drive, worsened by the fact that your car is probably less efficient, and producing more harmful emissions.

Luckily, it’s fairly straightforward to diagnose a faulty transmission speed sensor. Your mechanic will plug in an electronic diagnostic tool to the car’s onboard computer, which will display a certain error code if the sensor is indeed at fault.

Repair Cost

Crucial as they are, you might expect a transmission speed sensor to be an expensive part. However, the opposite is actually true.

Costs will vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle, but you can expect to spend between $20 and $50 on your new component, plus about $50 to $100 on labor.

If you’re a dab hand at auto DIY, however, you could consider replacing the sensor yourself. If this sounds feasible to you, we’d recommend this guide.

Sources:

1. Vehicle Speed Sensors: Types of VSS – AZO
2. Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Transmission Speed Sensor – Your Mechanic

1. Fiat »
2. 500 »
3. 2012 »

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2012 Fiat 500

CarComplaints.com Notes: Considering sales numbers and data that monitors complaints-per-make, there appears to be an unusually high number of issues with the 2012 Fiat 500. Perhaps that isn't surprising -- it is the first model year of the car, and those tend to have a higher incidence rate.

Of particular concern is the number of engine and powertrain complaints submitted to NHTSA.

Typical Repair Cost:

No data

Average Mileage:

58,000 miles

Total Complaints:

1 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

1. replace transmission (1 reports)

transmission problem

Helpful websites

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2012 Fiat 500 Owner Comments

500 L

• Automatic transmission
• 58,000 miles

Transmission Light On Car

PLEASE READ VERY CAREFULLY VERY USEFUL INFORMATION

Transmission Light On Car Won't Start

Good afternoon all,

To anyone reading this I hope this review helps you in not repeating the same mistake I have made with this affiliation. Although Fiats are cute in shape there are so many future faults. I currently own a 2012 Fiat 500c Lounge. When I purchased my car Certified Pre-owned at 23k miles I was provided with a car report which only stated car went in for routine maintenance. Fast forward to about 10k miles later I have to get a new battery, tune up etc. I thought nothing of it. I am currently at 58k miles and 8k out of warranty and my transmission light comes on randomly one day stating 'check transmission - see handbook'. I contacted the Fiat customer service (1-888.242.6342 spoke with Robin, Brenda, Mercedes & Josh -Total Calls 8) to see if they could assist with any repairs. They advised me my car history states my fiat has been sent in twice for a new radiator and once for sunroof repair (No wonder previous owner traded it in. A new radiator was installed first 2k miles no accidents just manufacture faults. I had NO prior knowledge of this issue it was never reported nor communicated to me when purchasing). Brenda, then stated they would need it to be diagnoses first to see what they can do. However, in order to do so I would need to take it into the fiat studio etc. Fiat Studio address: 196 South Dupont Highway Newcastle, DE phone no: 3023231666 service advisor: Tony - not helpful had no clue what was going on just guessing games. I was charged a total of $460 just for them to tell me an incomplete, inconsistent diagnosis (Diagnosis code P0741 had been provided to them at drop off before any work was performed - Tony said that was not helpful could mean anything. (Diagnosis means: Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or Stuck Off). Since Fiat customer service said they needed additional details I told 'Tony the unhelpful' he would need to provide additional details which is why my initial price sky rocketed from $99.95 (because I had a coupon original price $115.97) to $460. The only diagnosis I was provided was that it was a mechanical issue and repairs would be $5,975 (no lie I will never forget this number).

In order to get a better understanding because I am a female and cars aren't my forte'. I asked 'Tony the Unhelpful' what can cause these kinds of issues? He stated its a computer issue and would need rewiring. I provide this feedback to Fiat customer service who now state since I am out of warranty theres nothing they can do. I understand that, however they should've advised me that before I went ahead and authorized Tony to do absolutely nothing but fiddle around with gadgets? The customer service gave me the impression I would be covered. I have begged, pleaded, cried, went to FCA customer service only to be directed back to Fiat customer service. I even asked that they at least cover half of the diagnosis due to useless customer service as well as mechanical faults. They continuously stated 'no'. In the mist of all of this I still remained optimistic. I continuously attempted to find the root to this problem. I thought maybe this could've have been due to water. I then contacted my insurance company who then performed an extensive investigation and stated after careful review there was no evidence of water damages - claim denied. I contacted the Fiat to advise them of this and also advise that I was told 'this is a mechanical issue'. Fiat Customer Service then states 'Carmen Chrysler Jeep Dodge' told them my car was 'maintained poorly and it was water damaged'. (My car has a low tire thread on left side everything else is in great shape I promise). I advise the rep of this and also advise her there were no signs of water damages after my insurance performed their investigation. She then contacts shop to verify they then agree that yes in fact the only thing is the tire and confirm no water damage. Fiat still advises me there still nothing they can do since I am out of warranty. They advised that it was my fault since the tire is low it impacted my transmission. I am perfectly fine with that response. I will take full responsibility if that was indeed the case however, that was NOT the case!! After further research and second opinion from AAMCO turns out it was a system issue / computer issue - Mechanical failure the tires had absolutely NOTHING to do with this mechanical failure in fact AAMCO was $300+ cheaper (they waive diagnostic fee if you repair issue). This was all caused by a fault in the transmission so to wrap this review up my Fiat was a complete LEMON when it was first installed. I was lied to upon purchase information was never placed on carfax if it had been I would have NEVER joined the Fiat family because this is a common issue that I had no idea about until now.

In conclusion, I would advise anyone seeking a fiat or even going for servicing at this location especially females to look elsewhere. For interested fiat lookers look elsewhere bad customer service and a lot of costly repairs to look forward to as well as terrible customer service from all locations!

Located below is total run down of repairs within 58k miles with no accidents nor accident history.

Number of Radiator repairs: 2Sunroof: 1Transmission: Faulty mechanical errortotal tune ups: 2Customer service: The absolute worseOverall money spent on repairs: 30k(includes car purchase) Car purchase Price: 21kCar worth on we buy any cars : 5.9k

I also had coupon for a transmission diagnostic check which was not honored. I was advised it was not provided when i dropped off the car. I have saved the coupon, the coupon does not state the to present the coupon, nor does it advice the Facility can deny use of coupon. Coupon would have made my charges drop from $460 to $160 if it were honored.

- neverbuyfiat5, Bear, DE, US