P0320 Ignition/distributor engine speed input circuit
What P0320 means
The engine computer is not receiving a clean engine speed (rpm) reference signal. On older engines this comes from a sensor in the distributor; on newer ones from the crankshaft position sensor. The computer needs this signal for spark and injection timing, so the engine may misfire, stall or not start.
P0320 is a generic SAE J2012 code: it means the same on every make. The exact cause still depends on the car, so read the freeze-frame data before replacing parts.
At a glance
- Severity
- Medium
- Typical repair cost
- 80–600 €
- Workshop time
- 0.5–2.5 h
- Repair difficulty
- Medium
- DIY possible
- Yes
- Check engine light
- Yes
- Affects emissions test
- Yes
Parts and labour at an independent workshop in Europe. Main dealers charge more; the cause decides the bill, not the code.
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Engine cutting out or stalling
- Hard starting or no start
- Rev counter dropping or jumping
- Misfire or hesitation
Common causes
- Faulty crankshaft position sensor or distributor pick-up
- Damaged wiring or loose connector
- Damaged reluctor (toothed) ring
- Faulty ignition module on older distributor systems
- Electrical interference from damaged ignition leads
Can I keep driving with P0320?
You can usually drive, but have it checked within one to two weeks. Because this signal controls spark timing, the engine can stall or refuse to start without warning; if it starts cutting out, stop driving it.
What to check first
- Watch the rpm reading in live data while cranking and idling; drop-outs confirm a signal problem.
- Inspect the sensor connector and wiring for damage, oil contamination and routing close to ignition leads.
- Test the crankshaft or distributor sensor according to its type (resistance for inductive, supply and signal for Hall-effect).
- Inspect the reluctor ring and replace the sensor if it fails the tests.
Related codes
- P0325 Knock sensor A circuit (bank 1 or single sensor)
- P0326 Knock sensor A circuit range/performance (bank 1 or single sensor)
- P0327 Knock sensor 1 circuit low (bank 1 or single sensor)
- P0328 Knock sensor A circuit high (bank 1 or single sensor)
- P0316 Engine misfire detected on start-up (first 1,000 revolutions)
- P0315 Crankshaft position system variation not learned
- P0330 Knock sensor B circuit (bank 2)
- P0332 Knock sensor B circuit low (bank 2)
Data: TORKO fault-code catalogue, built on OBDex (CC0-1.0) and reviewed against workshop practice. Informational only — it does not replace a diagnosis by a mechanic.
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