Golf Mk4 1.416v EPC light on and code P0321

[Bulldog42]

Hi All

I recently overhauled my engine after a major overheat caused various faults. I have put back together the car starts and drives but I am still getting the EPC light and engine management light and car hesitates and holds back on acceleration. When I checked on the diagnostic box It gave a code of P0321 and says Engine Speed Sensor (G28) implausible signal. looking on forums one Said it could be thrown up if you have miss timed slightly IE one tooth out on the cam, would this be a likely cause or should I be looking elsewhere as others are saying possible ECU fault or Faulty wiring. I would appreciate any advice on pinpointing the problem as I dont want to replace the wrong part.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions

[towcestervag]

could be a timing issue
does the car sound a little rattly when running?
if so check the cambelt timing as the lower belt idlers fail causing the belt to jump a tooth
also sometimes the map sensor can read out of tolerance if this happens

[Bulldog42]

Thanks alot for your help, ill try and retime and see if that cures it

[rico260z]

Happened to my sisters MK4 1.4 golf too and was a couple of wires in the crankshaft sensor (engine speed sensor) circuit. they had rubbed the insulation off each other even tho they had not been tampered with and were in the original cable routing.
This would lead me to think this could be a common issue with this age/model.
The problem was with 3 wires that come out of a T junction in the cable routing and go into a plug just behind the left hand side of the top of the engine. in the area where dip stick comes up.

Just taped them up to stop them touching and shorting. btw the car was showing engine speed sensor fault on my diagnostic code reader.

Found the problem by waggling the T junction in the cabling when car was ticking over and it would then cut out