P0338 Crankshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit High
P0338 is a generic OBD2 powertrain code. It means “Crankshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit High” — the same on every make and model, because the definition comes from the SAE J2012 standard rather than from the carmaker.
Ask the AI about P0338 on your car- System
- Powertrain (P)
- Code type
- Generic (SAE)
- Range
- P03xx
What the wording tells you
“High” here is electrical: the module saw the voltage in this circuit stay above its expected window. The usual causes are a short to voltage, a broken ground, an unplugged connector (many sensors read high when disconnected) — or the component itself.
“A”: where a car has several identical components, SAE tells them apart with letters. Which physical part is “A” is defined by the manufacturer — check the service information for your car before replacing it.
Can I keep driving with P0338?
The rule of thumb for this area (ignition system & misfire): Treat misfires as urgent: drive gently to a workshop, and stop if the check engine lamp flashes. A crankshaft-sensor fault can stall the engine without warning.
How P0338 breaks down
Powertrain. Engine, transmission, fuel and emissions — the codes behind the check engine lamp.
Generic code: defined by SAE, the same on every make.
Ignition system & misfire.
The specific fault within this range.
Where to look: Ignition system & misfire
Misfire detection, ignition coils, crankshaft and camshaft position sensors and knock sensors. The engine computer detects misfires from dips in crankshaft speed, so this area often reports a problem that starts elsewhere — in the fuel supply or in compression.
Typical causes in this area
- Worn spark plugs and failing ignition coils
- Crankshaft and camshaft sensors and their wiring
- Fuel or vacuum problems that cause misfires
- Mechanical timing — a stretched chain or a worn belt
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Read and clear P0338 on your iPhone
Brimly reads stored, pending and permanent codes through a Bluetooth LE or Wi-Fi OBD2 adapter, explains each one offline from the same 2,693-code dictionary as this page, and clears them once the fault is fixed — each clear goes into the car’s service history with the codes it removed. OBD diagnostics are part of Brimly Forever, a one-time purchase; the PRO assistant explains a code for your exact car.
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Frequently asked
What does P0338 mean?
P0338 is a generic OBD2 powertrain code. It means “Crankshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit High” — the same on every make and model, because the definition comes from the SAE J2012 standard rather than from the carmaker.
Can I drive with P0338?
The rule of thumb for this area (ignition system & misfire): Treat misfires as urgent: drive gently to a workshop, and stop if the check engine lamp flashes. A crankshaft-sensor fault can stall the engine without warning.
What causes P0338?
“High” here is electrical: the module saw the voltage in this circuit stay above its expected window. The usual causes are a short to voltage, a broken ground, an unplugged connector (many sensors read high when disconnected) — or the component itself. Typical causes in this area: Worn spark plugs and failing ignition coils; Crankshaft and camshaft sensors and their wiring; Fuel or vacuum problems that cause misfires; Mechanical timing — a stretched chain or a worn belt.
How do I clear P0338?
Fix the cause first, then clear it with any OBD2 scanner or app. Once the fault is gone the car also clears it on its own: the check engine lamp goes off after the self-test passes on three drive cycles in a row, and the stored code ages out after about 40 warm-ups. Clearing without a repair only hides it for a while — and resets the readiness monitors an emissions inspection looks at.
Is P0338 the same on every car?
Yes. P0338 is a generic SAE J2012 code, so its definition is identical on every make and model. What differs is the cause behind it and the repair procedure, which depend on the engine — that’s why the assistant on this page asks for your car.
Guides
Definitions: the generic SAE J2012 codes from Brimly’s offline dictionary (data version 2026.09). Causes and advice are general guidance for all makes — the service information for your car has the last word.