P0386Crankshaft Position Sensor B Circuit Range/Performance
- Generic OBD-II code · Powertrain
- Turns on the check-engine light
- Matters for the ITP
- Can trigger limp mode
- Needs a drive cycle to confirm a fix
- How the car detects it
- P0386 means the signal of the second crankshaft sensor or second tone wheel track is present but implausible. GM's 2004 Northstar 4.6 V8 sets it after 5 resynchronisations within 10 s, after two trips. GM's 3.8-litre V6 (2006) expects exactly 0 or 6 low resolution pulses per 36 medium resolution pulses and one cam pulse; any other count in 40 of 50 samples sets the code, also after two trips. The Honda 3.5-litre in the 2004 Saturn Vue Redline counts implausible signals of its second crank sensor (target 44 crank pulses per 3 cam pulses, checked every half revolution, the counter dropping by one every 10 s) and sets the code at 30, about 2.2 s at idle, in the first trip. Typical causes are interference pulses, a dirty sensor or a wrong air gap; the result is jerking, misfire or longer cranking.
- What you may notice
- Check engine light on
- Jerking, misfire
- Longer cranking
- Likely causes
- LikelyInterference pulses (wiring near the ignition, shielding)
- PossibleSensor dirty or air gap wrong
- PossibleTone wheel damaged
- PossibleSensor faulty
- Inspection (ITP)
- Matters for the ITP. While the check-engine light is on, the car fails the emissions check.
- Repair
- Medium · Often possible to do yourself.Typical cost: €60 – €350
- Related codes
Explanation from obdex (CC0), exactly as the app shows it. Guidance only; confirm with a workshop.