Parts for your 2010 Subaru Exiga-Crank angle sensor

2010 Subaru Exiga crank angle sensor — purpose, servicing and replacement

According to Subaru’s YA-series Exiga service manual (Engine Diagnostics section) and the Subaru FAST (Japan) parts catalogue for the YA chassis, the 2010 Subaru Exiga is fitted with a crankshaft position sensor—commonly called a crank angle sensor. It’s a core engine management input on the EJ20-powered Exiga, with OBD‑II faults for this sensor documented as P0335–P0339 in Subaru technical literature.

This little sensor tells the ECU exactly where the crankshaft is in its rotation and how fast it’s spinning. The ECU uses that info to fire the spark plugs at the right moment, time the fuel injectors, sync with the cam sensors, and manage starting, idle stability, and knock control. If the signal drops out, the Exiga can be hard to start, misfire, stall, or refuse to run altogether. The tacho needle suddenly dropping to zero while the engine’s still spinning is a classic hint.

It’s a sealed electronic pickup, so there’s no scheduled maintenance. As part of regular servicing, it’s smart to do a visual check: look for oil intrusion at the connector, brittle wiring near the back of the engine, loose loom clips, or corrosion. Make sure the mounting area is clean and the sensor face isn’t covered in metal fuzz. Good engine earths help keep the signal clean too.

Replacement is straightforward and usually quick:

• Disconnect the battery and let the car sit a few minutes.
• Gain access under the bonnet at the top rear of the engine near the bellhousing (intake ducting may need to come out).
• Unplug the connector, remove the single retaining bolt, and withdraw the sensor.
• Lightly oil the new O‑ring, seat the new sensor, and tighten the bolt to the factory torque (check the Subaru manual for the exact spec).
• Reconnect, clear any codes, and road test while monitoring live data.

There’s no routine interval—replace on fault. On higher‑kilometre Exigas (200,000 km+), preventative replacement with a quality OEM‑equivalent unit isn’t a bad shout if there have been intermittent cut‑outs. Cheap no‑name sensors can be false economy, go genuine or reputable aftermarket. If a crank angle sensor fault is logged, also inspect the cam sensors and wiring before condemning parts.

Popular questions

Where is the crank angle sensor on a 2010 Subaru Exiga?
On EJ20 Exigas it’s mounted at the top rear of the engine block near the bellhousing, reading a reluctor on the crank. Access is from the engine bay, removing the air intake snorkel can make life easier.

Does the ECU need programming after sensor replacement?
No special programming is usually required. Clear the fault codes, start the engine, and let it reach operating temperature. The ECU will use the new signal straight away. If idle is rough, check for unrelated air leaks or wiring issues.

What symptoms point to a failing crank angle sensor?
Extended cranking, hot no‑start, sudden stalls, random misfires, the tacho dropping to zero while the engine spins, and stored codes like P0335. Intermittent faults often show up more when hot.