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P0320 Code – Causes, Symptoms, Fixes

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It’s never a good feeling to see the check engine light pop up, no matter how new or old your car is. It means that there’s a problem, and you’ll likely need to spend some money to get it fixed.

When a check engine light comes on, your ECU is logging fault codes that you can read by using an OBD II scanner on your car. One of these codes is the P0320 code. Not only can the P0320 light up the check engine light on your dash, but it can also ruin your day by preventing your car from starting.

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In this article, we’ll cover the meaning of the P0320 fault code, what causes it, common symptoms you might encounter, and what you can do to fix this issue.

What Does the P0320 Code Mean?

In short, the P0320 code stands for “Ignition/Distributor Engine Speed Input Circuit Malfunction”. Underneath all that tech lingo hides a crankshaft or camshaft position error.

This code appears when the engine control unit (ECU) detects an issue with the rotation speed of either the crankshaft, camshaft, or their position. The rotation speed and position of these two engine parts is monitored by crankshaft and camshaft position sensors, so even if you do get the P0320 engine fault code, it won’t be too much of a pain to sort out.

What Can Cause the P0320 to Pop Up?

Like most generic fault codes, the P0320 can be caused by a few different things. Because it’s a pretty specific fault code, finding the cause can be narrowed down to the following:

  • A faulty camshaft position sensor
  • A faulty crankshaft position sensor
  • Faulty ignition/distributor engine speed sensor
  • Loose connectors on any of the above-listed sensors
  • Weak battery
  • Issues with the ECU

It’s not uncommon for sensors to go bad after a certain period of time, as well as the connectors sending inputs to the ECU. These sensors are located in a spot where there’s excess heat and vibration, so it’s a matter of time when the sensors will need to be replaced.

Another common cause for the P0320 engine code is a weak battery. The car battery is something that needs to be replaced every few years as its capacity deteriorates over time. Because the lifespan of the battery is so long, most people forget to check it on a regular basis. Once the battery’s capacity drops far enough, you could get a P0320. Because of that, check the condition of the battery first before doing any mechanical work on your car.

What Are the Common Symptoms?

Obviously, the first symptom you’ll notice is the check engine light flashing on your dash. The check engine light is a common symptom not only for the P0320 fault code but for all generic fault codes, no matter how serious they are.

Another common symptom for the P0320 code, especially in European cars is a no start condition. This happens because the ECU isn’t to be able to read the information from the sensors that directly affect how much fuel is distributed and when the spark plugs will fire.

A check engine light, although annoying, won’t leave you stranded on the side of the road. However, if your crank position sensor is completely dead, it could put you in a tough situation because your car can stall and die in the middle of the road. This can be especially dangerous if it happens during a snowstorm, or on a busy highway in peak traffic.

Lastly, the P0320 fault can be without other symptoms except for the check engine light, so if you have this shining bright on your dash, make sure to read the fault codes as soon as possible to avoid a headache later.

How to Diagnose The Causes

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Correctly diagnosing the P0320 engine fault code can be time-consuming. Even so, it’s important that you go through all the possible causes step by step to find the faulty part that’s causing the issue. To make sure you’re dealing with the P0320 code, use an OBD II scanner to read all the fault codes stored in the ECU.

If there’s only the P0320 fault code stored, the first, and easiest thing you should do is check the car battery, especially if it wasn’t replaced recently. As we mentioned before, a weak battery can cause a series of fault codes to come on the dash, including the P0320 one. If the battery is in good condition, you can check it off the list of possible causes and move forward in diagnosing the issue.

The next thing you’ll want to do is check the crankshaft, camshaft, and ignition/distributor engine speed sensor. This can be done by a simple multimeter, but unless you’re experienced at using one, leave it to a car electrician as you might get wrong readings. The same applies to the connectors.

When checking the connectors and sensors one by one, it’s most likely you’ll find the culprit for the P0320 engine code. One of the sensors or one of the connectors will likely be faulty that caused the check engine light to come up.

Can You Read the P0320 Code With a Regular OBD II Scanner?

In short – yes. The P0320 is a generic fault code, and you won’t need an expensive OBD II scanner to read it from the ECU. You can use a handheld OBD II scanner or a Bluetooth OBD II scanner which you can connect to your phone for reading fault codes.

There are hundreds of OBD II scanners available on the market, some of which come with preinstalled software for reading and deleting fault codes from the ECU. Even using a $20 OBD II scanner will help you determine the fault code that lit up the check engine light.

How to Fix P0320 Code

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The P0320 code is not very specific regarding what caused it to come up in the ECU memory. We’ve mentioned some of the most common things that trigger the P0320 fault code, so fixing it requires some mechanical and electrical skills, which is why most people leave the issue to be dealt with by certified and experienced mechanics.

If the cause for the P0320 fault code to appear is a low battery, it’s the simplest fix you can do yourself. You’ll need to get a replacement battery, but make sure it has the same capacity and the terminals are on the same sides as the battery that needs to be replaced. All you need to do is disconnect the old battery and replace it with the new one.

If the battery isn’t the issue causing the P0320 code, you’ll need to check and replace a faulty sensor that causing the code to come up. These sensors are located in different positions, depending on the year, make, and model of the vehicle, so you’ll most likely need to follow instruction manuals or find online sources on how to remove each of the sensors that can cause the P0320 code.

Even though it’s highly unlikely that none of the sensors are the cause of the issue, there’s a chance that the ECU is faulty as well. On some vehicles, a software update can resolve the issue, while others need the entire module replaced.

Can You Drive with P0320 Code, and For How Long?

Even though the P0320 fault code is ranked as a medium severe issue, you can drive your car for a short while before taking it to the mechanic or just fixing the issue yourself. As one of the symptoms of the P0320 fault code is the engine dying suddenly, the issue should be addressed as soon as possible.

Fixing the P0320 issue usually costs a few hundred dollars at a local mechanic, but if you decide to postpone fixing it, it can cause much more serious and costly issues. You can tackle replacing the faulty parts yourself, but make sure you have the required know-how before you start taking things apart.

Need a New Crankshaft Position Sensor?

If you’re dealing with a faulty crankshaft or camshaft position sensor, and you’re being bombarded by the P0320 fault code, you’re probably looking at replacing these parts. When you do so, make sure to use only Genuine or OEM spares.

This goes for all cars, but especially European vehicles. Here at eEuroparts.com, we carry a wide range of quality parts for most European makes and models. To find parts that are a guaranteed match for your car, simply head over to our online store, select your vehicle, and you’ll get a hefty list of quality options.

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