OBD codes / P0338
P0338
SeriousCrankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit High
Treat P0338 with urgency — like any crank-sensor fault, it can stall the engine without warning and leave it unable to restart, sometimes intermittently. Driving carefully straight to a shop is usually fine; trusting the car for important trips before it's fixed is not.
What this code means
The crankshaft position sensor is the computer's master timing reference for firing spark and fuel. P0338 means the crank sensor's signal is reading HIGH — pegged at or above its maximum expected level — the mirror image of P0337 (circuit low). In practice this usually traces to a failed sensor, a wiring problem such as an open circuit or a short to voltage, or a corroded connector; a break anywhere in the circuit can leave the computer seeing a fixed high reading instead of the alternating signal a spinning crank should produce. The consequences are the same as any lost crank signal: stalling, hard starting, or a crank-but-no-start, often intermittent and heat-sensitive. Because the engine can quit without warning, this code deserves prompt attention.
Symptoms you might notice
- Engine cranks but won't start, or starts hard
- Sudden stalling, sometimes with no warning
- Intermittent cutting out, often when hot
- Tachometer reading erratically or dropping to zero
- Check-engine light
What it costs to fix
Typical range: $100–$400 · about ~0.5–1.5 hrs of labor
| If the cause is… | Part | Labor |
|---|---|---|
| Crankshaft position sensor | $30–$150 | ~0.5–1.5 hrs |
| Wiring / connector repair | $10–$120 | ~0.5–1.5 hrs |
The sensor is cheap and the job is usually short — the variable is access, since some crank sensors are behind the starter or bellhousing rather than up front. Chasing an intermittent wiring fault can add diagnostic time.
The price swings on which cause it turns out to be — so confirm the cause before paying. Diagnose P0338 for my exact vehicle →
Frequently asked
What's the difference between P0338 and P0337?
Both are crank sensor circuit faults; the difference is direction. P0337 means the signal is stuck low (often a short to ground or dead sensor), while P0338 means it's stuck high (often an open circuit, short to voltage, or failed sensor). Either way the computer loses its timing reference.
Can I drive with P0338?
Only cautiously and briefly. The engine may run fine right up until the signal drops out, then stall without warning — potentially in traffic. Get it diagnosed quickly and avoid depending on the car until it's fixed.
Why does my car stall when hot and restart when it cools?
That's the classic failing-crank-sensor pattern: heat opens a marginal winding or connection, killing the signal, and it returns once things cool down. If P0338 comes with hot-stall behavior, the sensor is the prime suspect even if it tests fine cold.
How much does it cost to fix P0338?
Typically a modest repair — the sensor is an inexpensive part and usually takes an hour or less to swap, with total cost driven by how buried the sensor is on your engine. Wiring repairs are similar once the fault is located.
Seeing P0338 on your car? Get a diagnosis specific to your exact year, make and model.
Diagnose P0338 for my vehicleRelated trouble codes
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Generic OBD-II reference. Manufacturer-specific behavior varies — confirm with a scan tool and, for safety-related codes, a professional inspection.