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P0339: Crankshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Intermittent

Quick Answer

Not safe to drive

P0339 means the crankshaft position signal reaching the engine computer keeps dropping out and returning. The crankshaft signal times spark and fuel injection, so every dropout can cause a stumble, a stall or a no-restart. Because the fault comes and goes, it often points to a connector, a wire that breaks under heat or vibration, or a marginal sensor.

Severity
High · Ignition
Estimated repair cost
From €30 to €720+, varies by vehicle

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What does P0339 mean?

P0339 is a ignition-related diagnostic trouble code classified as high severity. When your vehicle's ECU detects this condition, it stores P0339 and illuminates the check engine light.

Where it is on the car

  1. Crankshaft sprocket and position sensor
  2. Timing chain or belt
  3. Camshaft sprockets with VVT phasers
  4. Camshaft position sensor
  5. VVT oil control solenoid

What are the symptoms of P0339?

If your vehicle has triggered P0339, you may notice one or more of these symptoms:

  • Intermittent stalling with no warning
  • Engine restarts after a short wait or after cooling down
  • Occasional hesitation or stumble
  • Check engine light on, sometimes only for a short time
  • Tachometer dropping to zero for a moment
  • Long cranking after the engine has been running

What causes P0339?

Here are the most common causes of P0339:

  • Heat-sensitive or marginal crankshaft position sensor

    : high

  • Intermittent wiring fault, such as a chafed wire or broken strand

    : high

  • Loose, corroded or oil-soaked connector at the sensor

    : medium

  • Sensor mounted loosely, giving a varying gap to the toothed wheel

    : medium

  • Damaged reluctor (toothed) wheel or run-out on the crankshaft

    : low

  • Engine control unit fault (rare)

    : low

Is it safe to drive with P0339?

No - address this immediately. The crankshaft signal drops out and returns, so the engine can cut out or stall at any moment, then restart as if nothing happened. Do not rely on the car, especially in traffic or on a motorway. Have it diagnosed before further driving.

How do you diagnose P0339?

Follow these steps to pinpoint the root cause of P0339:

  1. Read all codes and freeze-frame data, and note the engine temperature and speed when P0339 was stored, because that shows whether heat or vibration is involved
  2. Check for P0335, P0336 and cam sensor codes, since a crank fault is often logged beside them
  3. Inspect the sensor connector and wiring for oil, coolant or corrosion, chafed insulation, and check for heat damage near the exhaust
  4. With the engine idling, gently wiggle the harness and connector while watching engine speed on a scan tool and listening for a stumble. A generic OBD2 reader shows the engine speed reading only, so a very short dropout may need an oscilloscope to catch
  5. Check that the sensor is firmly mounted and that no metal debris is stuck to its tip
  6. Test the sensor supply, ground and signal against the manufacturer specification, ideally while the engine is hot
  7. Inspect the toothed wheel on the crankshaft for damage if the sensor and wiring are good

How much does P0339 cost to fix?

Repair costs for P0339 vary depending on the root cause and your vehicle. Here are typical estimates:

Repair Parts Cost Labor Cost Total Estimate DIY Difficulty
Workshop diagnosis of an intermittent fault €0–€0 €30–€80 €30–€80 Professional
Replace crankshaft position sensor €20–€100 €50–€200 €70–€300 Moderate
Repair wiring or connector to sensor €10–€50 €60–€180 €70–€230 Moderate
Replace reluctor ring (tone wheel) €30–€120 €200–€600 €230–€720 Professional

Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.

P0339 on specific vehicles

P0339 behaves differently depending on your vehicle. Select your car below for model-specific causes and known issues:

P0339 on Saab

These codes are often seen alongside P0339 or indicate related issues:

Common questions about P0339

What does code P0339 mean?
P0339 means the crankshaft position signal is intermittent: it drops out and then returns. The engine computer uses the crankshaft signal to time the spark and the fuel injection, so each dropout can make the engine stumble or stall.
Why does my car stall and then start again with P0339?
A sensor or wire that fails only when hot or when vibrating can lose its signal and then recover once it cools or settles. That is typical of an intermittent crankshaft signal, so a car that restarts normally can still be unsafe to depend on.
Is it safe to drive with P0339?
No. The engine can stall without warning, and that also reduces power assistance for steering and brakes. Short, careful trips to a workshop are the most you should consider, and a tow is safer if it has already stalled.
What is the difference between P0335 and P0339?
P0335 means the crankshaft signal is lost or invalid. P0339 means the signal comes and goes. An intermittent code often needs a wiggle test of the harness and a check while the engine is hot to find the fault.
What causes P0339?
The usual causes are a heat-sensitive or failing crankshaft position sensor, a chafed or broken wire, and a corroded or oil-soaked connector. A loose sensor and a damaged toothed wheel are less common.
How much does it cost to fix P0339?
Replacing the crankshaft position sensor costs roughly 20 to 100 EUR in parts plus 50 to 200 EUR labour. Tracing an intermittent wiring fault takes diagnosis time, which is typically 30 to 80 EUR before any repair.

Read our detailed guides

Scan your car with Skanyx to diagnose P0339

Your car logged P0339. Skanyx reads it on a standard OBD2 adapter (Bluetooth LE on iPhone), tells you whether it is safe to keep driving, and shows the €30-€720 repair range so you know the number before a shop quotes you. Free on iPhone and Android, and you do not need to be a mechanic to read it.

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