2007 Avalon. Speedometer quit working, "ABS", "BRAKE", Check Engine" Lights

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Sooooo, the fun of buying a a car with 217k miles on the odometer begins 🎢 3 days ago I bought a 2007 Toyota Avalon Limited with 217k mi. Drove it thus far for about 250 miles without any issues.

This evening I get in it to go pick up my son from pre-school, and upon start up, am immediately greeted with "VSC", "ABS", and "BRAKE" lights. I restart it, VSC disappears but ABS and BRAKE are on. As soon as I'm moving Check Engine comes on. Further consequent restarts have no affect on what lights are on.

Only speedometer portion of the cluster stopped working. Mileage traveled stopped counting too. Transmission shifts slightly clunkier, but I understand it's because it doesn't know my speed

I've already ordered a code reader named "Blue Driver" (free overnight shipping Amazon), so I'll extract the codes tomorrow. But just googling about the issue, I'm a little shocked of the apparent lacking of Toyota online DIY presence. Not one post for the 3rd gen Avalon with 5-speed auto with a similar issue 😲. The Camry and Lexus ES350 (which are twins to my car?) of the same vintage, with the same engine came with a 6-speed auto, so I'm not sure if that makes a difference...

Anyways, I'll get the codes tomorrow and will post them up, but is there anyone on this board who's familiar with 3rd gen Avalons and has experienced a similar issue?

Thanks
 
On my BMW the TRACtion control stopped working, followed a few weeks later by the ABS and BRAKE Lights showing. Then the Speedometer and Odometer would work for only the first few miles in the morning. [I drove for a couple of weeks in city traffic by the tach - knowing the speed in each gear by RPM. Yet another advantage of a manual transmission. ]

All that was due to a failed ABS Module. Had my old one rebuilt (not expensive) and I was back in business.

Yeah - consult a Toyota site.
 
@Trav, thanks for your thoughts. I have on hand Blue Driver OBD 2 scanner that I received this morning. Do you know if it's "full featured" enough for my case? I've never used OBD 2 scanners before. There are so many of them out there it seems.
 
@Trav, thanks for your thoughts. I have on hand Blue Driver OBD 2 scanner that I received this morning. Do you know if it's "full featured" enough for my case? I've never used OBD 2 scanners before. There are so many of them out there it seems.
It may but it may not read manufacturer specific codes, wait and see. When these units go out it is usually a communications drop out.
 
You may need a scope and full featured scan tool to properly diagnose this, if it turns out to be the ABS module, used or..

I had my ABS Module repair done by Module Master.

The module was still fine when I sold the car, about 8 years after the repair. I recommend them too.

 
I just used the BlueDriver scanner.

One of the codes is for the radar cruise control. I did try it on the way home from the seller and it showed an error code in the instrument cluster. I was very surprised that back in 2007 Toyota had such technology on offer. I would think back then this was an S-class territory.

All other codes are P0500 and point to "vehicle speed sensor". Here are the results:

Screenshot_20211117-140349.png


Am I correct (still learning) that "vehicle speed sensor" is a single sensor, mounted into a transmission, top side?

Google produces nothing for a 2007 Avalon (6cyl/5 speed auto), but does output for an 07 Camry 4cyl/5 speed auto and 6cyl/6speed auto. Although neither is a matching combo for my Avalon, I assume 4cyl/5 speed auto Camry is a good enough match:
Screenshot_20211117-141918.png


Screenshot_20211117-143215.png
 
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Oh jeez, I'm cracking up here. Decided to look, for grins, at aftermarket alternatives on Amazon. Amazon has really become just a storefront for chinesium. This "See You Again" "creative" Chinese brand for $18 minus the 8% coupon looks really tempting 😂

Screenshot_20211117-143826~2.jpg
 
For $19 it is worth a try. If it was a critical part that would disable the car, I would pass, but it isn't.
 
That's the Counter Gear Speed Sensor, If it was faulty......P0793 "Intermediate Shaft Speed Sensor A" DTC would set.

I specialize in Ford & GM vehicles, But I work on my fair share of Toyota's.....My basic understanding of this system is.....

The 4 Wheel Speed Sensors are wired directly to the ABS/Skid Control Module, This Module takes the A/C Sine Wave Signals & Outputs D/C Square Wave Signal on a single wire.
This Signal is then sent to the Speedometer (Combination Meter), Then to the ECM which is the module that's outputting the P0500.

I would check for ABS Module wheel speed DTC's before continuing any further.
 
@clinebarger, thanks for your assessment! I'm completely new to OBDII. Cut my teeth on 1985-1995 Merc's E-class.

Can you help me understand the following: I used a BlueDriver scanner. It scanned ABS system too (and others). It apparently can do more than "check engine" codes. Does this information change anything in your assessment?
 
I'd take a chance on it. I've got a China made ignition coil pack on my '02 Ford Escort that I think I paid $16 for on eBay. The original Ford coil pack lasted till 2012 so next year the cheap Chinese coil pack will have lasted as long as the original Ford coil pack. I also replaced the cam position sensor about a year ago and vehicle speed sensor a couple months ago with closeout parts from Rock Auto. I don't remember the brand names of the CPS and VSS but I wouldn't be surprised if they were made in China as well.
Oh jeez, I'm cracking up here. Decided to look, for grins, at aftermarket alternatives on Amazon. Amazon has really become just a storefront for chinesium. This "See You Again" "creative" Chinese brand for $18 minus the 8% coupon looks really tempting 😂

View attachment 78182
 
That's the Counter Gear Speed Sensor, If it was faulty......P0793 "Intermediate Shaft Speed Sensor A" DTC would set.

Alright, thanks for the corrective nudge!!

I've done some more reading based on what you wrote. Apparently there are 2 "speed sensors":
  • NC - counter gear speed sensor (#1)
  • NT - direct clutch speed sensor (#2)
#1 sensor (NC) is responsible for P0793 error - as you correctly pointed out, thanks!! # 2 sensor (NT) is the one responsible for P0500 error!

This is the best description I have thus far found for #2 (NT) speed sensor's relation to a working speedometer. The article doesn't specify which of the 2 speed sensors its referring to, but by a method of deduction I know it is #2 (NT)
Screenshot_20211118-005412.png



So, I have made a mistake and ordered a sensor #1(NC), part # 89413-48010. Instead, I should have ordered #2 (NT), part # 89413-08020!!
Screenshot_20211118-005757.png

Screenshot_20211118-012627.png


@clinebarger, thanks again for the corrective nudge! If replacing NT sensor won't do it, I'll move on to ABS/VSA computer
 
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@clinebarger, thanks again for the corrective nudge! If replacing NT sensor won't do it, I'll move on to ABS/VSA computer
I think you might want to re-read his post once more.

Just to add to clinebarger's post...

"The speed sensor detects the wheel speed and sends the appropriate signals to the skid control ECU. The skid control ECU converts these wheel speed signals into a 4-pulse signal and outputs it to the ECM via the combination meter. The ECM determines the vehicle speed based on the frequency of these pulse signals."


140567195
 
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