P0322
Ignition/Distributor Engine Speed Input Circuit No SignalP0322 is a generic OBD-II powertrain diagnostic trouble code: Ignition/Distributor Engine Speed Input Circuit No Signal. It is logged by the engine control unit when the powertrain monitor detects that a specific fault threshold has been exceeded — typically resulting in the malfunction-indicator lamp (MIL / check-engine light) being illuminated.
What P0322 means
P0322 means the PCM is receiving absolutely no signal from the ignition/distributor engine speed sensor circuit — typically the crankshaft position sensor (CKP). Without this input, the PCM cannot determine engine RPM or crank position, and therefore cannot correctly time fuel injection or ignition events. The result is usually a hard no-start or immediate stall after start. This makes P0322 one of the more critical RPM-sensor codes, as the engine will generally not run until the fault is resolved.
The absence of signal can originate from a completely failed sensor, a broken or disconnected wire anywhere in the sensor circuit, or — less commonly — a failed PCM input stage. On distributor-equipped engines, a failed distributor pickup module produces the same code. On modern distributorless engines, it is almost always a failed CKP sensor or wiring break. The sensor itself can fail due to coil winding burnout, internal circuit board damage from heat cycling, or physical impact from a broken engine component.
Note that P0322 can occasionally be caused by a very low battery voltage during cranking — the sensor's internal circuit requires a stable 5 V reference supply, and a severely discharged battery may not sustain this. Always verify battery condition before condemning the sensor.
Common causes
Most-frequently reported root causes when P0322 is logged.
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1
Completely failed crankshaft position sensor with no output (coil burnout, internal circuit failure).
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2
Broken, disconnected, or shorted wire in the CKP sensor signal circuit.
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3
Corroded or physically damaged connector at the CKP sensor causing complete signal loss.
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4
Failed distributor pickup module or ignition control module on older distributor-equipped engines.
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5
Severely low battery voltage during cranking preventing the 5 V sensor reference from being maintained.
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6
PCM input circuit failure rendering it unable to receive any signal even from a functional sensor.
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7
Physical damage to the reluctor/tone wheel (e.g., debris strike) preventing any pulse generation.
Symptoms drivers notice
How to diagnose P0322
A typical diagnostic flow when this code is present.
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1
Confirm P0322 with a scan tool and observe live RPM data while cranking — zero RPM reading confirms total signal loss.
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2
Check battery voltage and state of charge; below ~11 V during cranking can starve Hall-effect sensor reference supply.
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3
Inspect the CKP sensor connector and entire harness length for obvious damage, disconnection, or corrosion; repair any break found.
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4
Measure the 5 V reference supply at the sensor connector with the ignition on; absence of reference voltage points to a wiring or PCM fault upstream of the sensor.
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5
Use an oscilloscope to check for any pulse output at the PCM pin for the CKP signal while cranking — flat line confirms total signal absence.
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6
Substitute a known-good sensor; if the engine then starts and RPM reads correctly, the original sensor has failed.
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7
If a new sensor and repaired wiring do not resolve the code, test the PCM input circuit per manufacturer wiring diagrams before condemning the PCM.
Related powertrain codes
Frequently asked questions
Why does P0322 cause a no-start when P0321 usually does not?
With P0321 the PCM still receives a signal — however noisy — and can make some effort to synchronise fuel and ignition. With P0322 there is no RPM information at all, so the PCM cannot determine when to fire injectors or spark plugs, making starting impossible in most cases.
Could a dead battery alone set P0322?
It is possible but uncommon. A severely discharged battery can prevent the sensor's 5 V reference from being maintained, causing a no-signal condition. Charge or jump-start the vehicle first; if P0322 does not return, battery or charging system health was the root cause.
How do I know if it is the sensor or the wiring?
Check the sensor's supply voltage at the connector with the ignition on. If 5 V reference and ground are present but there is still no signal during cranking, the sensor has failed internally. If the reference voltage is absent, trace the fault back through the wiring toward the PCM.
Can a P0322 damage the engine if I keep cranking?
Prolonged cranking without start will not cause direct mechanical damage but can drain the battery and stress the starter motor. More importantly, if the root cause is physical debris near the CKP sensor or a loose component, continued cranking could worsen the damage.
Disabling P0322 in software
RaceTune can permanently disable P0322 — and any other OBD-II diagnostic trouble code — on every ECU family we support. The monitor is disabled inside the ECU itself, so the fault stops being logged: the warning light stays off and the engine never enters limp mode for this code. The change is tied to your exact software version.
Software modifications affect emissions compliance and are not road-legal in many jurisdictions. RaceTune service files are intended for motorsport, off-road, and export use.
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