Skip to content

Ignition/Distributor Engine Speed Input Circuit

Reviewed1 source
1 source

What P0320 means

Severity not yet assessed

The control unit reports “Ignition/Distributor Engine Speed Input Circuit”. Code P0320 identifies the area to investigate, but it does not prove that one named part has failed without a confirming test and vehicle context.

Driveability assessment not yet available. Get a personalized AI Second Opinion for your exact car.

General information, not a diagnosis or repair instruction. Always confirm with a qualified mechanic for your specific vehicle.

For a code naming the crankshaft position sensor, read it alongside the conditions it appeared under before deciding anything.

What this code does not prove

A code naming the crankshaft position sensor reports what the control unit observed, not which part caused it. More than one cause can trigger the same code, so testing has to separate them.

Where the diagnosis usually goes next

Check the signal at its source

The crankshaft position sensor is what code P0320 is reporting on — specifically, the circuit is not reporting a plausible signal to the control unit. This points to an area, not a confirmed cause.

How to tell the paths apart: Read the live data and compare it against the expected range for current conditions before replacing anything.

Rule out wiring and the connector

Codes of this shape often come from damaged wiring, a corroded connector, or a poor ground on the crankshaft position sensor — not the component itself.

How to tell the paths apart: Inspect the wiring and connector for the crankshaft position sensor for damage and a secure ground before replacing anything.

Before you drive on

By itself, a code naming the crankshaft position sensor does not settle whether this specific car is safe to keep driving. Normal behaviour means limited use for diagnosis only; any change resets that decision.

Stop and arrange a check if

  • the engine is misfiring, losing power, or stalling
  • smoke, a fuel/burning smell, or overheating appears
  • the crankshaft position sensor's behaviour is clearly getting worse rather than staying stable

Before authorising a repair

  • Bring the complete code list and freeze-frame data relevant to the crankshaft position sensor
  • Ask for the test that confirms a fault in the crankshaft position sensor — not just the code alone

What to check first

  1. Pull up live data on the crankshaft position sensor and see how it compares with the range expected for the current conditions.
  2. Inspect the wiring, connector, and ground for the crankshaft position sensor before replacing the component.
  3. A crankshaft position sensor produces a consistent, evenly-timed pulse pattern throughout cranking and running, with one identifiable reference gap per revolution. A pattern that drops out intermittently, especially when hot or under vibration, points to the sensor's air gap, a damaged tone wheel, or a wiring/connector fault rather than an intermittent ignition or fuel problem elsewhere — reproducing the dropout while watching the raw sensor waveform is the standard way to confirm it.
Cost data coming soonUpload your estimate to check if the price is fair

Frequently asked questions

Does this code tell me the crankshaft position sensor has failed?

No. It points to the crankshaft position sensor; the cause still needs to be confirmed by a measurement or targeted test.

What should I bring to the workshop?

The complete code list, freeze-frame data, and the conditions around the crankshaft position sensor — that gives the technician context, not a guess.

Was this page helpful?