P038A: The ignition control signal I has a broken or disconnected wire
The ignition control signal I has a broken or disconnected wire. It is usually a broken wire, a loose connector or the part itself.
| Code | P038A |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P03xx, Ignition and misfires |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
How to read and clear P038A with Final OBD
Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P038A with its description and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.
If the engine stores it over standard OBD, with FREE you read this code with its explanation for nothing and clear it. With PRO you also read the faults of every control unit and clear them in all of them.
Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before an inspection. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in inspections and OBD.
Similar codes
- P0386 The crankshaft position sensor B gives readings outside the normal range
- P0387 The crankshaft position sensor B gives a lower signal than normal
- P0388 The crankshaft position sensor B gives a higher signal than normal
- P0389 The crankshaft position sensor B fails now and then
- P038B The ignition control signal I gives a lower signal than normal
- P038C The ignition control signal I gives a higher signal than normal
- P038D The ignition control signal J has a broken or disconnected wire
- P038E The ignition control signal J gives a lower signal than normal
- P0300 Random or multiple cylinder misfire
- P0301 Misfire detected in cylinder 1
- P0302 Misfire detected in cylinder 2
- P0303 Misfire detected in cylinder 3
What does code P038A mean?
The ignition control signal I has a broken or disconnected wire. It is usually a broken wire, a loose connector or the part itself.
How do you clear P038A?
With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P038A comes back.
Read it on your car
Final OBD reads and clears engine faults through standard OBD for free, each one explained in plain English. With PRO it also reads the faults of every control unit, each make’s own codes included, and clears them in all of them.
