Last summer I kept throwing P0338-crankshaft position sensor. paid a mechanic $500 in "labor" to replace the harness+sensor. Started rarely throwing a misfire last fall. Didnt worry too much since my daily commute is <2 miles. Replaced the plugs with STOCK plugs when I drove home maybe a month ago. Checked for boost leaks as well while I was fiddling with stuff.

Was driving back home yesterday, code free (even O2 codes!) maybe halfway back ,~70 miles. Then I throw a code, check it with Torque and apparently all **** went to hell. Only new codes is P0202 and I THINK P1430(it gets confusing when im throwing 5+ O2 codes regularly).

Only time I notice misfiring is low rpms and a little throttle(10-15%), really only noticed it when I'm going around 45-50 and am giving it a teeny bit of throttle to roll up a hill, just shifted, etc...the RPMs will quicky drop 500-1000 and I'll feel a little jolt. No odd noises, the normal breathing/clunking noise I'm used to from a carbed engine misfiring, etc...Also the codes seem to throw regardless of driving conditions. Only WOT on the drive was when I was hopping on the interstate, hit maybe 5500 in third and let off, no codes. Maybe 3 weeks ago I NLS thru second, no codes.

If any of this matters: Turbo XS catted DP, Hahn catback, Turbo XS cold+hot piping, ZZP intercooler(high clearance version), Hahn CAI, tune. Chassis has 53k on it, block has ~30k.

Getting frustrated, all the mechanics around here say the car is the most complicated thing they've ever seen and that a simple task took them 8+ hours of labor. So I can't really afford to have anyone work on it and I'm not experienced enough to do any serious mechanic work. Also I've got to go back down to school tomorrow so it's going to HAVE to be drove like this for awhile

Oh and for the past year cold starts would be rumbly and if I didnt pull it off idle it would die, think I got flashing temporary CEL once. Yet another unsolved mystery on this car.

 

Switched out coil packs 3+4, cleaned maf, both maps, and sprayed the throttle body while I was down there. Cleared the codes and headed back down to school. Checked codes about 60 miles in before hitting the interstate. O2 codes plus PO038, checked today and still just PO038. I can still feel it "misfiring," but still never when I'm into boost.

So to me the problem is originating from the crankshaft position sensor. Obviously all the money at the "mechanics" was wasted. Does anyone know if the CPS sensor is easy to access? Looks like I'm going to have to get a new one, rewire a new harness myself, and have it re-learned.

Also has anyone had this problem? How serious of an issue is it? Is waiting until summer going to do damage? If so its looking like its time to sell the car and buy an old beater. I could have bought a new STI with all the money wasted on this damn car

 

the CPS on the LNF is easy to get to. its right under the HPFP on the block.

 

Cool I'll check it out, sure would make my day if it just has a faulty ground lol

 

yeah its a bitch to get out, but its not hard to get to. IIRC its a 10mm nut holding it on.