P1500 Vehicle speed sensor signal intermittent (Ford, Lincoln)

Intermittent vehicle speed signal

P1500 in short

On Ford and Lincoln vehicles, P1500 means the vehicle speed signal is intermittent: it drops out or jumps while driving. Causes include a failing speed sensor, its wiring, or on 2011-2013 6R80 trucks the transmission's molded leadframe. Get it checked soon, and stop driving if the transmission downshifts hard on its own.

P1500 is a manufacturer code, so its meaning depends on the make. This page covers Ford and Lincoln, where it means the vehicle speed sensor signal is intermittent.

The powertrain computer uses a speed signal, usually from a sensor on the transmission output shaft, to run the speedometer, choose gears and control cruise. If that signal drops out or jumps while the vehicle is moving, it stores P1500.

On 2011-2013 F-150 and 2012-2013 Expedition and Navigator with the 6R80 automatic, Ford ties P1500 with P0720, P0722 and P0731 to a failing output shaft speed sensor inside the transmission's molded leadframe.

Pick your make

P1500 is a manufacturer-specific code: its meaning depends on who built the car.

Other makes: meaning not verified. Check with a scan tool that reads manufacturer definitions.

Most likely causes

  1. Failed molded leadframe and output shaft speed sensor (6R80 automatic)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Ford's extended coverage 19N01 says an output shaft speed sensor failure in the 6R80 molded leadframe sets P0720, P0722, P0731 and/or P1500 on 2011-2013 F-150 and 2012-2013 Expedition and Navigator; an owner's mechanic found exactly this.
    What would change this
    Applies to the listed trucks; rises when P0720 or P0722 is stored with P1500.
    How to test the transmission control module (tcm)

  2. Faulty vehicle speed sensor, its wiring or connector

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    References describe P1500 as a speed sensor fault and list the sensor, damaged wiring and loose connections as the usual causes.
    What would change this
    Rises with a damaged or corroded connector at the sensor; falls if the signal stays steady on a scan tool while the fault repeats.

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Read every stored code and note whether P0720, P0722 or P0731 are stored with P1500.

    Low riskTool: scan tool

  2. Have a shop watch the speed sensor signal on a scan tool during a test drive and inspect the sensor wiring and connector.

    Best left to a shopTool: scan tool, multimeter

    Warning:Watching data while driving needs a second person. Never read a scan tool while driving.

Symptoms

  • Speedometer drops to zero or jumps while driving
  • Check engine light, sometimes with the wrench light
  • Harsh or wrong shifts
  • Sudden hard downshift at speed, or the rear wheels skid Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

How to fix

  1. Write down every stored code before clearing anything.

  2. On a 2011-2013 F-150 or 2012-2013 Expedition or Navigator, ask a Ford or Lincoln dealer whether the molded leadframe extended coverage (19N01) or a recall applies to your VIN.

Parts and cost context

  • Transmission control module (TCM):On 6R80 trucks the speed sensor is part of the molded leadframe inside the transmission, so it is a transmission repair rather than a bolt-on sensor. Check extended coverage first.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Ford

  • 19N01-S3Status unverified

    Ford 19N01-S3: 6R80 transmission molded leadframe extended coverage

    2011–2013f-150, expedition · issued · NHTSA 10183669

    On 2011-2013 F-150 and 2012-2013 Expedition and Navigator with the 6R80 automatic, an output shaft speed sensor failure can light the MIL and wrench light and set P0720, P0722, P0731 and/or P1500. Ford extended coverage on the molded leadframe.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Lincoln

  • 2012–2013 · Navigator

    Supported by vehicle data

    Same 6R80 molded leadframe extended coverage (Ford 19N01). Owners with later build dates report the same codes outside coverage.

  • P0720Transmission output shaft speed sensor circuit fault

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    Ford lists P0720 (output speed sensor circuit) with P1500 for the same 6R80 leadframe failure.

  • P0722No signal from the transmission output shaft speed sensor

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    Ford lists P0722 (no output speed signal) with P1500 for the same 6R80 leadframe failure.

  • P0731Transmission computer sees the wrong speed ratio in first gear

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    Ford lists P0731 with P1500 when the output speed signal fails on the 6R80.

  • P0500Vehicle speed sensor signal missing or not believable

    Same system Common general cause

    P0500 is the generic vehicle speed sensor code; P1500 is Ford's intermittent-signal version.

All Vehicle speed, idle control and engine electrical codes

P1500 questions

Is P1500 the same as P0500?

Both point at the vehicle speed signal. On Ford and Lincoln, P1500 specifically means the signal is intermittent, so it may come and go rather than fail outright.

Sources and review

  1. P1500 OBD-II trouble code — Kelley Blue Book
  2. Ford 19N01-S3: 6R80 molded leadframe extended coverage, P0720/P0722/P0731/P1500 — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA ,
  3. NHTSA complaint ODI 11723677: 2013 Ford F-150, dealer readout P1500 intermittent VSS signal — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (complaint file) ,
  4. NHTSA complaint ODI 11765101: 2013 Ford F-150 violent downshift, P0720/P0722/P1500 VSS intermittent — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (complaint file) ,
  5. NHTSA complaint ODI 11483957: 2013 Ford Mustang sudden downshift with P1500 vehicle speed sensor — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (complaint file) ,
  6. Ford Diagnostic Trouble Codes P1500-P1699 — AA1Car (Larry Carley)
  7. NHTSA complaint ODI 11485004: 2014 Lincoln Navigator, leadframe repair codes include P1500 — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (complaint file) ,
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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