why would the speedometter stop working and then the car won't go into a higher gear when driving?

Question

The car starts fine and everything but the check enigne light stays on. The speedometer stopped working and then when driving the car will not shift into a higher gear.

Answer 1

You do not say what kind of car it is, but if it is a computer controlled transmission (most cars made in the last 15 years have computer controlled transmissions), it uses the output from the speed sensor to determine when to shift. The speed sensor also provides the signal to run the speedometer.

Replace the speed sensor or sensors, as some cars have more than one, and it should solve your problem!

Answer 2

The "check engine" light is on because you have a pending P0500 (loss of VSS input) DTC (diagnostic trouble code). Without the year, make and model of your vehicle, I assume that the transmission in your particular vehicle depends on VSS (vehicle speed sensor) input to the PCM (powertrain control module) for shift scheduling purposes, as well as input to your vehicle's instrument cluster for speedometer/odometer operation. It could be a simple mechanical problem with the VSS driven gear in your transmission, or the VSS itself needs replaced by the sounds of your symptom description. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Its the speed sensor that had finally gave up. The car won't go into higher gear, cause of the computer needing that input from that speed sensor.

So, Replace the speed sensor.

Answer 4

You probably need to make the last payment.
Seriously, like the hair commercials ,"only your mechanic( hair dresser) knows for sure.