Okay, now I know exactly what you're thinking based off the title, but this is an odd situation as far as I know.

Last night I hit a bump I hit every day coming home and simultaneously my CEL came on and it popped out of Overdrive (was doing prolly 65mph). The odd part is my speedometer still works fine... Seems everyone's goes off when this code throws. Today at work I pulled the code, P0501 Vehicle Speed Sensor Range/Performance. That's it, no others. Checked my speed sensor, clip was securely on, since I've got a Canadian manufactured USDM I've got the Denso and not the Matsu, so I was gonna order one Friday and get it replaced.

Well, on the way home tonight, probably completely unrelated, though I can't help but wonder... I accelerated away from a light like I always do (not grandma, but not stupid or hard, 186k miles) and my transmission started acting up. Not like a slipping auto feels, but like, popping, almost like if you were to start to engage the engine from a clutch in a manual, get about 25% then pop it out minus the kangarooing, haha. I drove it super grandma and it got less frequent and went away entirely within about 5 miles. Got a little harder on it and it didn't come back, but by no means did I beat it up trying. Possibly related? Or....

Around 178k my poor tranny dipstick went to crap and stopped sealing. My transmission was slipping like crazy for a few miles until I was able to give it ATF and rig up a temp seal. I replaced the dipstick and topped up and it seems to be fine, not noticeably leaking, and hasn't slipped since. I checked around the dipstick and there's sediment that indicates some liquid has flowed near it, but no sign of tranny fluid or any fluid really. Could I be low on fluid and that's causing this popping feeling or is my tranny potentially going bad at the same time my sensor went out, or could this all be from the sensor being bad?

Sorry, long-winded but sometimes details are important.

Thanks for your time guys.