Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit High
What it means
P0338 means the crankshaft position sensor "A" signal is reading abnormally high. The ECM relies on this sensor to track crankshaft speed and position for spark and fuel timing, so a bad signal can cause hard starting, stalling, or a no-start, making this a fault worth addressing quickly.
Can I keep driving? Risky — the crankshaft sensor is essential for spark and fuel timing, so the engine may stall, run rough, or fail to restart. Fix it before relying on the car.
Real-world scan data
Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on
- Hard starting, or no-start in some cases
- Stalling or intermittent cut-outs while driving
- Rough running, hesitation, or reduced power
Common causes
Most likely first
- Failed crankshaft position sensorLikely
- Damaged wiring or a short to voltage in the sensor circuitCommon
- Corroded or loose connector at the sensorCommon
- Air-gap or reluctor-ring/tone-wheel damageLess often
- ECM fault (rare)Less often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Read freeze-frame data and note whether the fault is constant or intermittent.
- Inspect the sensor connector and wiring for damage, chafing, or corrosion.
- Check the circuit for a short to voltage and confirm correct reference/ground.
- Verify the sensor air gap and inspect the reluctor ring for damaged teeth.
- Replace the crankshaft position sensor if it tests faulty; clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0338?+
Can I just clear P0338?+
Related codes
Read & clear P0338 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.