1997 BMW Z3 Check engine code P0500 vehicle speed sensor

1997 BMW Z3
172,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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THEREGOESDAVY
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I recently purchased and am needing to smog a BMW Z3 but the check engine light is on. The trouble code displayed is "P0500 Vehicle Speed Sensor" Is this referring to one of the four wheel speed sensors? Is this a code that will cause the car to fail an emmisions test? When I clear the check engine light, I can drive the car all over town and the light stays out. But after the engine is turned off and then restarted, the light comes on again after driving only a short distance. Concerning the four wheel speed sensors, I have noticed that on the inside of the drivers side front wheel, there is a sensor of some kind that is similar to one of the wheel speed sensors but it is only on that wheel. It plugs in directly beside the wheel speed sensor and follows the same path around the strut, it's two wires supported by the same clips as the wheel speed sensor. It is plugged in to the system via a connector but the other end is not plugged in or mounted anywhere. The wires for it are just sort of bundled up and hanging from one of the plastic clips that are mounted on the strut. The sensor end of this gadget appears to have a piece of plastic broken off. It looks like someone may have broken it then just rolled it up and hung it in the clip inside of the wheel[img:ad375c25ba]http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/529967_100_0540_1.jpg[/img:ad375c25ba] by the strut. I have checked the parts lists and every where else I can think of but I cannot locate or identify this part. I removed it and took a picture of it that I have included with this inquiry. Is this thing important? could this be causing the problem?
Thanks,
Dave.
May 21, 2010 at 4:47 PM
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DOCHAGERTY
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Isn't it the sellers responsibility to smog the vehicle?
May 22, 2010 at 3:26 PM
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THEREGOESDAVY
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Well......... Yes , it,s supposed to be the selling party's responsibility to smog a vehicle when selling. Unless the buyer agrees to purchase the car AS-IS from a private party. A vehicle dealership is required by law to take care of the smog inspection. The person who had this car before me tried to smog it but it failed the test. when he found out it needed a new Catalytic Converter and had other emmissions related problems he decided to bail out. I actually got the car for a fairly good price because of it. So far I have replaced the Cat and both 02 sensors. The only trouble code remaining is the P0500 code. Since submitting my question I have found out that the sensor I submitted the picture of is a brake pad sensor. I have also learned that there are two other speed sensors. One on the differential housing and another on the engine somewhere. Since (and I am only assuming) that the speed sensor on the differential is for the speedometer, I am guessing that the one on the engine is probably what is causing the trouble. Would I be correct?
May 22, 2010 at 5:59 PM
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