P0322 means Ignition/Distributor Engine Speed Input Circuit No Signal. The computer is getting no engine speed signal at all from the crankshaft position sensor or distributor pickup. It is a generic OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on any make, but the most likely cause varies by engine; confirm with a scan tool and the service information for your vehicle before buying parts.
What P0322 means
The engine computer uses the crankshaft position sensor to know engine speed and piston position, and the camshaft sensors to know which stroke each cylinder is on. On engines with variable valve timing, oil-driven cam phasers rotate the camshafts relative to the crankshaft under the control of solenoids. Timing codes come from a sensor that cannot be read, or from a measured cam angle that does not match the commanded one, so oil level and condition, sensor signals and mechanical timing all need checking.
P0322 symptoms
- Cranks but will not start
- Stalling
- Tachometer reading zero
Common causes of P0322
- Failed crankshaft position sensor or pickup
- Open wiring or unplugged connector
- Damaged reluctor
How to diagnose P0322
- Check for an rpm signal on a scan tool while cranking
- Check sensor power, ground and signal
- Inspect the connector
Can you drive with P0322?
Usually it will not run; if it does, get it fixed before relying on it.
P0322 tips
With no engine speed signal, the computer cannot fire the coils or injectors; check the sensor’s power and ground before replacing it.
Will P0322 clear itself?
If the fault stops, the computer turns off the check engine light by itself after several drive cycles without seeing it again, and the code stays in memory as history for a while. Clearing P0322 with a scan tool after a repair is fine, but if the cause is still there the code returns, sometimes within one drive. Disconnecting the battery also clears codes on most vehicles, but it erases learned fuel trims and idle settings as well.
Related codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P0320 | Ignition/Distributor Engine Speed Input Circuit |
| P0335 | Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit |
| P0336 | Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance |
Guides that help
When it is more than a sensor
If a stretched chain has already jumped time and damaged valves, or low oil pressure has worn the engine, a repair can cost more than a replacement; see engine replacement cost and compare engines by code on our engines page.
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