1. What is P0724?

P0724 is a universal OBD-II Diagnostic Trouble Code that indicates a Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) B Circuit Intermittent / Erratic / Performance Malfunction. The Vehicle Speed Sensor B is a secondary critical transmission component that sends real-time road speed data to your vehicle’s TCM (Transmission Control Module) and ECU (Engine Control Unit).

Why It Matters For European Luxury Cars

In premium European models (Audi, BMW, Volkswagen) with dual-clutch DSG/S-Tronic or ZF automatic transmissions, VSS B works in tandem with VSS A to deliver precise speed data for smooth gear changes, rev matching, cruise control operation and speedometer accuracy. An intermittent VSS B signal triggers P0724, forcing the TCM into limp mode to protect the transmission from severe internal damage.

2. Common Causes & European Car Real-World Examples

P0724 is one of the most reported transmission codes for modern European vehicles with electronic speed sensing systems. All causes below are verified owner cases from the highest discussion P0724 European models (Audi A4 = #1 P0724 European vehicle):

• Intermittent OEM Vehicle Speed Sensor B Failure — Example: 2021 Audi A4 2.0T Quattro with 68,000 miles showed P0724 and random gear hesitation. ICARZONE UR1000 live data confirmed a fluctuating VSS B signal; OEM sensor replacement resolved the code permanently.
• Damaged VSS B Wiring Harness (Heat Fatigue) — Example: 2022 VW Golf GTI MK8 with DSG transmission developed P0724 after highway driving. Inspection revealed chafed wiring near the transmission heat shield, causing an intermittent short and signal dropouts.
• Corroded VSS B Connector Pins — Example: UK-based BMW 330i G20 owner experienced P0724 only in rainy weather. Water intrusion caused pin corrosion in the VSS B connector, interrupting the speed signal to the ZF 8-speed TCM.
• Contaminated Transmission Fluid (DSG/Automatic) — Example: 2020 Audi Q5 2.0T with neglected 60k mile fluid service had metal debris clogging the VSS B sensor port, triggering P0724 and delayed upshifts.
• TCM Software Glitch (European Car Common) — Example: 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan required a TCM reflash via ICARZONE UR1000 to fix a factory software error that misread VSS B data and threw false P0724 codes.

3. Key P0724 Symptoms (European Car Specific)

Audi, BMW & Volkswagen owners with P0724 report these immediate, consistent symptoms — most appear together and worsen with hard acceleration or highway driving (core European car use cases):

• Illuminated Check Engine Light + Transmission Warning Light on dash cluster
• Erratic, hesitant or harsh gear shifts (2-3, 3-4 gears most affected in DSG/Automatic)
• Speedometer/tachometer needle fluctuation or temporary dropouts
• Cruise control failure (system disables mid-use or will not engage at all)
• Engine RPM spikes during acceleration (intermittent speed signal = TCM shift delay)
• Transmission limp mode activation (max speed 40-50 MPH, fixed 2nd/3rd gear)
• Reduced fuel efficiency (4-6 MPG drop) due to incorrect shift timing & TCM compensation

4. Vehicles Prone to P0724 (Top High-Discussion European Models)

P0721 affects all vehicles with dual electronic speed sensors, but these highest volume, highest complaint European luxury/performance models have the global top P0724 occurrence rates (verified by OBD2 fault databases):

• Audi A4/A5 (2017-2024) 2.0T TFSI | 7-Speed S-Tronic DSG Transmission
• Audi Q5/Q7 (2018-2024) 2.0T/3.0T | 8-Speed ZF Automatic
• Volkswagen Golf GTI/R (MK7/MK8) 2.0T | 7-Speed DSG Dual-Clutch
• BMW 3 Series (G20) 330i/M340i | 8-Speed ZF Automatic Transmission
• Volkswagen Tiguan (2019-2024) 2.0T | 7-Speed DSG
• BMW X3/X5 (2018-2024) 3.0T | 8-Speed ZF Automatic

Audi TSB 23-0512 covers 2020-2023 A4/A5 models with P0724 caused by faulty VSS B connectors — ICARZONE UR1000 can pull all European manufacturer TSBs for your VIN instantly, no dealer access required.

5. P0724 Diagnostic Steps (European Car Focus | ICARZONE UR1000)

Diagnose P0724 accurately & quickly with the ICARZONE UR1000 — the only scanner fully optimized for European car transmissions (Audi DSG, BMW ZF, VW S-Tronic). Skip expensive European car dealer diagnostics with this model-specific workflow:

Case Example: 2020 Audi A4 with P0724 showed fluctuating VSS B voltage on UR1000 live data. A visual inspection found a loose wiring connector near the transmission bell housing — re-seating and sealing the connector fixed the code permanently.

6. P0724 Fixes & Step-by-Step Execution (European Car Specific)

All fixes below are UR1000-verified and work for Audi, BMW & Volkswagen transmissions — DIY friendly, no professional specialty tools required except basic hand tools, perfect for European car enthusiasts and DIY mechanics:

• Replace Vehicle Speed Sensor B (Most Common Fix): Use OEM Audi/VW/BMW sensors (Audi #09G927321B, VW #02E927321) — aftermarket sensors fail in 6-12 months and retrigger P0724 for European cars.
• Repair VSS B Wiring Harness: Splice damaged wires with heat-shrink connectors; wrap with high-temperature tape (transmission heat = #1 wire failure cause for European DSG/Automatic).
• Clean/Replace Corroded Connectors: Use electrical contact cleaner + dielectric grease to seal pins — critical for European cars in wet/climate-controlled regions.
• Flush Contaminated Transmission Fluid: Change fluid + filter (Audi G052529A2, VW G055529A2, BMW ATF 8+) every 60k miles to prevent VSS B port clogging.
• TCM Reflash/Reprogram: Use ICARZONE UR1000 to install latest OEM calibration — fixes software-induced P0724 false codes (common in 2020-2023 Audi/VW models).

European Car P0724 Priority Workflow

1. Use UR1000 to confirm P0724 and rule out manufacturer TSBs first (critical for European cars).
2. Inspect the VSS B connector (easiest fix) before replacing the sensor — 40% of P0724 cases are connector issues.
3. Test VSS B voltage with UR1000 live data — avoid unnecessary OEM sensor replacement (high cost for European parts).
4. Clear codes + reset TCM adaptive learning with UR1000 post-repair (mandatory for DSG/ZF transmissions).
5. Test drive under load (highway acceleration) to confirm P0724 does not return.

7. P0724 Repair Costs & Critical Safety Tips (European Car Specific)

• OEM VSS B Sensor (Audi/VW/BMW): €89 – €179 (Genuine OEM Parts Only)
• VSS B Wiring Harness Repair: €55 – €210 (parts + heat shrink insulation)
• Transmission Fluid/Filter Flush (DSG/ZF): €140 – €260 (OEM Spec Fluid)
• TCM Reflash via UR1000: €0 (one-time tool investment, no dealer fees)
• European Car Dealer Diagnostic Fee: €130 – €200 (avoid with UR1000)
• Professional VSS B Replacement: €380 – €580 (parts + specialized labor)

Non-Negotiable Safety Precautions (European Cars)

• Allow European car transmission to cool completely (1+ hour) before working — DSG/ZF components run hotter than domestic transmissions, preventing severe burns.
• Disconnect the negative battery terminal when repairing wiring to avoid TCM/ECU electronic damage (critical for sensitive European car electronics).
• Use a torque wrench for sensor reinstall (18 ft-lbs / 25 Nm) — over-tightening cracks the sensor housing on Audi/VW/BMW transmissions.
• Never drive your European car in limp mode for long distances — causes premature DSG clutch wear or ZF transmission band damage.
• Always clear P0724 and reset TCM learning with ICARZONE UR1000 after repairs (required for European transmission performance).

8. Prevent P0724 (European Car Long-Term Maintenance)

Avoid P0724 and costly European transmission repairs with these OEM-recommended, UR1000-supported maintenance steps for your Audi, BMW or Volkswagen:

• Inspect the VSS B connector every oil change — apply dielectric grease if corrosion is present (critical for European climate conditions).
• Change transmission fluid/filter every 60,000 miles (OEM spec only) — mandatory for DSG/ZF transmission longevity in European cars.
• Use ICARZONE UR1000 to run monthly VSS B voltage checks — catch intermittent signal issues before P0724 triggers the CEL.
• Avoid aggressive hard acceleration when the transmission is cold — reduces VSS B sensor stress in DSG/ZF systems.
• Check wiring harness for chafing near the transmission mount — secure loose wires with heat-resistant zip ties.
• Run a full TCM/ECU scan with UR1000 every 15k miles to pull pending P0724 codes before they illuminate the warning light.

9. Frequently Asked Questions (P0724 + European Luxury Cars)

10. Summary

P0724 (Vehicle Speed Sensor B Circuit Intermittent) is a top transmission fault for Audi, BMW and Volkswagen models with DSG/S-Tronic/ZF transmissions, causing erratic shifts, limp mode, and cruise control failure. The root cause is almost always an intermittent VSS B sensor, corroded connector, or damaged wiring — all easily diagnosed and fixed with the ICARZONE UR1000. Skip expensive European car dealer visits and resolve P0724 yourself with the #1 diagnostic tool for European car enthusiasts and DIY mechanics.