Speedometer signal circuit malfunction
What it means
B0516. Speedometer signal circuit malfunction. The instrument panel cluster loses the vehicle speed signal and the body warning light comes on.. This Chevy-enhanced code applies to Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac, Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Saturn models that use this code.
Findings, check these first
- Faulty instrument panel cluster losing the vehicle speed signal
- Open or short in the vehicle speed signal circuit at the cluster
- Corroded or loose instrument panel cluster connector
- Vehicle speed signal wire chafed where it enters the cluster
- Intermittent cluster ground dropping the vehicle speed signal
Standard procedure
- Confirm the code with a scan tool
- Inspect and reseat the instrument panel cluster connector
- Test the vehicle speed signal circuit for opens and shorts
- Compare live vehicle speed against the scan tool reading
- Repair damaged wiring before replacing any parts
- Replace the instrument panel cluster only after circuit tests pass, then clear the code and retest
Look up another code
Press / to jump to the box. Chevy-enhanced powertrain, body, chassis and network codes.
Sources and review
Review: checked against the recorded source material.
- B0516 CHEVROLET Code: Meaning, Causes, and Symptoms | OBD2 Codes - OBD2 Codes
live reference page (obd2-codes.co)
Supports: CHEVROLET and GM-family meaning and likely causes for B0516
Fetched directly. B0516 reads "Speedometer Signal Circuit Malfunction".
- Code B0516 meaning and causes | OBDII.pro
live reference page (obdii.pro)
Supports: independent corroboration of the GM meaning
Fetched directly. obdii.pro is a separate publisher and gives the GM meaning as: Output air temperature sensor #4 (lower RH) circuit low More details about the error B0516 and possible reasons for its occurrence.
Source caveat: obdii.pro lists GM: Output air temperature sensor #4 (lower RH) circuit low, which disagrees with the obd2-codes.co speedometer signal meaning. The obd2-codes.co meaning is used for this entry; verify against the vehicle service information.
Last updated 2026-10-10.
Report a correction for B0516. Include your vehicle, the issue and a source if you have one.