Error code C1542 (speed signal) - Easy fix?

[Horst]

Hi! This is my first post, and I hope this is the the right place to ask for help.

My 2004 Toyota Yaris T3 has been giving me trouble with the speed signal for 2 years now. At first, the ABS system would come on only occasionally if breaking at very low speeds. Now, it comes on virtually every time I bring the vehicle to a full stop. At first I thought it was a faulty ABS sensor, but instead there seems to be a problem with the global speed signal. The associated error code was C1542. I was told that in order to fix this, electronics / computer components needed to be replaced, which exceeds the value of the vehicle.

I was wondering if anyone else has encountered this error and if there is maybe an easier fix that only a Toyota expert would know. Maybe it's a contact somewhere that commonly erodes in older cars?

 

[flash22]

Obd2 codes are a symptom not a cause

 

Does the speedo still work correctly ? iirc the vss is generated from the front passenger side wheel abs sensor, you need a scan tool that can see the wheel speed signals and what they are reading

i would suspect the front abs ring on the drive shaft is bad or full of rust and debris

 

[Horst]

Thanks for your insight, flash22! The speedo reading (on the dash) is indeed faulty. Most of the time, it will stop going down once it's reached somewhere around 6mph during deceleration (and then jump to zero). I suppose this is why the computer gets confused when I'm already almost stationary. Likewise, it may still read 0 when I'm already at walking speed.

Regarding the trouble shooting, we did look at the individual speed reading from all four wheels, but were unable to identify an obvious fault. I suggested faulty sensors or ABS ring and was very close to having these components replaced, but was advised at the workshop that this would not fix anything as the wrong signal was coming from the servo steering computer (I think). Do you think they were wrong? I did have the sensors cleaned.

[flash22]

Does the car have EPS or mechanical power steering ?? Because a sensor is new doesn't mean it works correctly especially if it's a cheap sensor

 

PM me the vin if your unsure

[Horst]

Hi again! I'm not sure about the power steering. I'll check.