P0322: Ignition/Distributor Engine Speed Input Circuit No Signal (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)
What P0322 means
The crankshaft position sensor tells the PCM how fast the engine is turning and where the crankshaft is, and the PCM uses that signal to time the spark and fuel injection; on older vehicles the sensor may be built into the distributor (RepairPal). RepairPal says P0322 sets when that signal is interrupted, irregular or missing. OBD-Codes.com describes it as an electrical circuit fault only, set when the voltage in the crankshaft or camshaft position sensor circuit drops below a set level, and says the 'engine speed sensor' can be a crank sensor, a cam sensor, a pickup coil inside the distributor, or even a wire from the ignition coil to the PCM. The sources word the code differently: RepairPal and the standard code list call it 'No Signal', while OBD-Codes.com's page titles it 'Circuit Low'. OBD-Codes.com notes it typically shows up on spark-ignition engines including certain Audi, Mazda, Mercedes and VW models, and many of its forum threads are VW and Audi owners.
Severity: can I keep driving?
Stop and fix promptly
RepairPal rates P0322 urgent, meaning immediate action is needed. Both sources list a crank-but-no-start, and RepairPal adds that the engine can stall and not restart, so the risk is the car dying in traffic or leaving you stranded. Don't plan long trips until it's diagnosed.
Common symptoms
- Check engine light on (both sources)
- Engine cranks but won't start, or is hard to start (both sources)
- Misfire, hesitation, stumble or lack of power (OBD-Codes.com)
- Stalling, or the engine dies and won't restart (RepairPal)
- In many cases no abnormal symptoms at all (RepairPal)
Likely causes
Roughly most to least common, based on the sources below. Your vehicle may differ.
- Faulty crankshaft position sensor or ignition/distributor engine speed sensor (both sources)
- Damaged, chafed, loose or corroded sensor wiring or connections (both sources)
- Faulty camshaft position sensor (RepairPal)
- Open in the ground or power supply circuit between the sensor and the PCM, or a short to ground in the power supply circuit (OBD-Codes.com)
- Rough-running or misfiring engine (RepairPal)
- Failed PCM, which OBD-Codes.com calls highly unlikely
Diagnostic steps you can do
Work on a cool engine, parked on level ground with the parking brake set. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.
- Check for technical service bulletins (TSBs) for your vehicle first. OBD-Codes.com says poor connections and updated ignition parts are the most likely causes on many vehicles, which is why it stresses a TSB search.
- Find the engine speed sensor (crank sensor, cam sensor or distributor pickup) and inspect its wiring and connector for rubbing, bare wires, burn spots, melted plastic, or green corrosion on the terminals. Clean with electrical contact cleaner, let dry, and apply electrical grease (OBD-Codes.com).
- Clear the code with a scan tool and see if it returns. If it doesn't, the connection was most likely the problem (OBD-Codes.com).
- Don't jump straight to replacing the crank sensor. RepairPal lists replacing it when the real cause is a bad cam sensor, a poor connection or chafed wiring, or a misfiring engine as common misdiagnoses.
Typical fixes
- Clean or repair damaged, loose or corroded wiring and connectors (both sources)
- Replace a faulty crankshaft position or engine speed sensor (both sources); OBD-Codes.com notes some sensors must be calibrated to the PCM after replacement
- Replace a faulty camshaft position sensor (RepairPal)
- Repair a misfire problem if that is what is disturbing the signal (RepairPal lists a misfiring engine as a cause)
- PCM replacement only after the sensor and wiring are ruled out; OBD-Codes.com says PCMs must be programmed to the vehicle
Repair costs vary widely by vehicle, region, parts brand and shop, so we don't quote prices. Get a written estimate after diagnosis.
🛠 When to call a pro
- OBD-Codes.com explains that a 3-wire sensor is usually a Hall effect type and a 2-wire sensor a magnetic pickup, and the tests differ
- For Hall effect sensors: checking for the 5-volt supply and signal at the connector and a good ground, and wiggling the harness to find intermittent breaks (OBD-Codes.com)
- For magnetic pickup sensors: checking resistance against spec (OBD-Codes.com says typically 750 to 2000 ohms), checking for a short to ground, and measuring AC voltage output while cranking (a rule of thumb of about 0.5 V AC; use the manufacturer's spec)
Where to buy
Plain search links. Always match parts to your exact year, make, model and engine.
FAQs
Can I drive with P0322?
It's risky. RepairPal rates P0322 urgent and lists stalling and an engine that dies and won't restart among the symptoms, though it also says some cars show no symptoms. Get it diagnosed before relying on the car.
Is P0322 the same as a crankshaft position sensor code?
They overlap. RepairPal describes P0322 in terms of the distributor/crankshaft position sensor signal, while OBD-Codes.com says the engine speed input can come from the crank sensor, cam sensor, a distributor pickup or a coil wire depending on the vehicle. Check which sensor your engine uses.
Why does one source say 'No Signal' and another 'Circuit Low'?
RepairPal and the standard code list name P0322 'No Signal', while OBD-Codes.com titles its page 'Circuit Low' and describes the fault as voltage dropping below a set level. Both describe a missing or too-weak signal from the same sensor circuit.
Sources
Last reviewed 2026-10-22. Code definitions and repair steps can vary by manufacturer. Confirm with your vehicle's service information.