Crank sensor signal drops in and out — often the cause of no-start-when-hot on Vauxhall Z-series engines.
P0339 — also written PO339, P 0339, 0339 — is the OBD-II code for crankshaft position sensor circuit intermittent. Same code, same fix: this page covers every spelling of it.
This one's a classic: the crank sensor signal is dropping out, usually because the internal copper windings have expanded with engine heat. It's the number one reason your Vauxhall or Ford dies at a junction and won't restart until it's cooled down.
P0339 is a sensors fault code, typically costing £90–£400 to put right in a UK garage.
What P0339 actually feels like to drive
- The car starts perfectly from cold, but won't restart at the petrol station once the engine is hot.
- Engine suddenly 'cuts out' or dies while waiting at a set of traffic lights, but restarts after 20 minutes.
- Tachometer (rev counter) needle drops to zero or bounces erratically while driving.
- The engine 'hiccups' or jerks violently for a split second at motorway speeds.
- 'Limp home' mode kicks in with a sudden loss of power and the spanner light on the dash.
What causes P0339?
- Heat-soaked failing CKP sensor
- Damaged reluctor ring
- Loose connector
UK vehicles that throw P0339 most often
- Vauxhall Astra/Corsa 1.2 & 1.4 (Z12XEP/Z14XEP) 2004-2010
- Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi (A20DTH) 2008-2015
- Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi (DV6) 2005-2011
- Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi (K9K) 2007-2013
- Honda Civic 1.7 CTDi 2002-2005 (very common for P0339)
- BMW 3 Series (E90/N47) 2007-2012
How P0339 is fixed
- Replace crankshaft position sensor (usually the fix)
- Inspect reluctor ring
The P0339 misdiagnosis that wastes money
I see lads throwing new batteries and starter motors at P0339 all day long because the car won't fire when hot. They think it's a 'lazy starter' not turning the engine fast enough. In reality, that Vauxhall Z-engine sensor is heat-soaked and breaking down internally. I’ve also seen guys fit a cheap £15 'eBay special' sensor only for the code to return a week later. On these, if you don't use a genuine GM or a top-tier Bosch/Denso part, you're just asking for a comeback.
What a UK garage should charge for P0339
For a basic Vauxhall or Ford, a decent Bosch or Delphi sensor is £40-£70 from the motor factors. Labour is usually an hour (£60-£90). However, if it's an Insignia A20DTH, the sensor is tucked behind the starter, pushing labour up. Expect to pay £150-£220 at an independent garage. If you go to a main dealer, you'll be staring down the barrel of £350-£400 once they've added their 'diagnostic fee' and a 100% markup on the OE part.
P0339 repair cost in the UK
Most P0339 repairs land between £90–£400 including parts and labour. The spread is wide because the cheap fix (a sensor, a hose, a leak) and the expensive fix (a major component) throw the same code — which is why a proper diagnosis before parts are bought saves the most money.
Bob's tip on P0339
Before you let a garage swap the sensor, ask them to 'scope the signal'—not just read the codes. A proper tech will check the air gap between the sensor and the reluctor ring. If you’ve got a P0339 on an older Ford or Vauxhall, insist they check for 'swollen' reluctor rings caused by rust behind the ring. If the ring is warped, a new sensor won't fix a thing. Also, check the wiring loom near the exhaust manifold; I've lost count of how many times I've found melted insulation causing these intermittent drops.
Can you drive with P0339?
Car may not restart when hot.
Urgency: high.