The Lemon IndexThe computer lost the engine speed signal it uses to time the spark.
Fix soon. Book a shop visit this week. Stop driving if the car slips, shakes, overheats or warns you.
Failed crank or distributor pickup sensor. Then: wiring fault.
Owners named P0320 in 5 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Ford.
The details
What P0320 means
The computer lost the engine speed signal it uses to time the spark. The engine can stall or not start.
Can I drive with P0320?
Fix soon. Book a shop visit this week. Stop driving if the car slips, shakes, overheats or warns you.
60% of the owner complaints that name P0320 also say the car stalls or shuts off. A complaint can describe more than one problem, so this doesn't prove the code caused it.
Common causes of P0320
- Failed crank or distributor pickup sensor
- Wiring fault
A shop should confirm the cause with a scan and tests before replacing parts.
What owners describe
- Stalls or shuts off: 60% of complaints
Share of complaints naming the code whose text also mentions each problem.
Related codes
P0324 P0325 P0326 P0316 P0335 P0336 P0309 P0308
Quick answers
What does P0320 mean?
Ignition/Distributor Engine Speed Input Circuit. The computer lost the engine speed signal it uses to time the spark. The engine can stall or not start.
Can I drive with P0320?
Fix soon. Book a shop visit this week. Stop driving if the car slips, shakes, overheats or warns you.
What causes P0320?
Failed crank or distributor pickup sensor; Wiring fault.
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text names P0320. A complaint is an owner's report, not a diagnosis. Meanings: the standard SAE J2012 definitions in our own words; manufacturer codes only where verified for that make. General information, not repair advice for your car.