P0335
Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction
The engine computer cannot trust the crankshaft position signal. That can prevent the engine from starting, cause stalling, kill spark timing, and make the tachometer drop out. The fault is often the sensor or wiring, but a damaged reluctor wheel or timing problem can also trigger it.
- SEV
- 4/5
- DRIVE
- NO
- DIY
- $20–$150
- SHOP
- $120–$500
Quick answer
What it means
Can you drive with it?
Most common causes
- Faulty crankshaft position sensor
- Damaged wiring, connector, or poor terminal contact in the crank sensor circuit
- Excessive debris, oil contamination, or physical damage affecting the sensor or reluctor wheel
Typical repair cost
DIY usually runs $20–$150. Typical shop repair lands around $120–$500, depending on the root cause.
01 / Definition
P0335 means the powertrain control module has detected a fault in the crankshaft position sensor A circuit. The PCM uses this signal to track engine speed and crank position so it can fire injectors, control spark, and compare crank and cam timing. If the signal is missing, erratic, or out of range, the PCM may cut spark or fuel, trigger a no-start, or pair P0335 with timing-correlation codes such as P0016 or P0017.
02 / Drive status
No — get it towed. Do not keep driving if the engine stalls, cranks without starting, or runs badly. A bad crankshaft signal can leave you stranded and can cause unsafe driving conditions.
03 / Symptoms
- Check Engine Light
- Engine cranks but will not start
- Hard starting
- Engine stalls while driving
- Rough running or misfiring
- Poor acceleration
- Tachometer may drop to zero or act erratically
- Intermittent starting problem
04 / Causes
| 1 | Faulty crankshaft position sensor | high |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Damaged wiring, connector, or poor terminal contact in the crank sensor circuit | high |
| 3 | Excessive debris, oil contamination, or physical damage affecting the sensor or reluctor wheel | medium |
| 4 | Failed crankshaft reluctor ring, tone wheel, or timing component issue | medium |
| 5 | Timing chain, timing belt, or cam/crank synchronization problem affecting the crank signal | medium |
| 6 | Blown fuse, relay, or power/ground supply issue to the sensor | medium |
| 7 | Corroded PCM connector or PCM internal fault | low |
05 / Diagnostic sequence
- 01Check for related codes such as P0016, P0017, P0011, P0014, P0340, or misfire codes and record freeze-frame data.
- 02Inspect the crankshaft position sensor connector, harness, and nearby wiring for damage, oil intrusion, corrosion, or looseness.
- 03Verify sensor power, ground, and signal circuit integrity with a wiring diagram and multimeter.
- 04Check sensor air gap and inspect the reluctor wheel or tone ring for damage, missing teeth, or contamination.
- 05Test the crankshaft position sensor signal with a scan tool or oscilloscope if available, and compare crank and cam sync if the tool supports it.
- 06If the crank signal drops out or the engine recently had timing work, verify mechanical timing and inspect the chain, belt, or reluctor relationship.
- 07If wiring and signal checks pass, evaluate the PCM inputs and inspect related fuse, relay, and power supply circuits.
- 08Clear codes and confirm the repair with a start-up and road test.
06 / Repairs
| 1 | Repair damaged wiring, connectors, or terminals in the crank sensor circuit | $20–$200 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Replace the crankshaft position sensor | $30–$150 |
| 3 | Clean mounting area and correct sensor air gap if applicable | $0–$50 |
| 4 | Replace damaged reluctor ring, tone wheel, or related engine component | $100–$800 |
| 5 | Repair fuse, relay, or power/ground supply issue; correct timing-related faults; diagnose PCM only after all other checks | $20–$500 |
07 / Related codes
08 / FAQ
Can a bad crankshaft position sensor cause a no-start?
Yes. If the PCM cannot read crankshaft position, it may not allow spark or fuel delivery.
Is P0335 usually the sensor or wiring?
The sensor itself is common, but wiring and connector problems are also very common and should be checked first. A damaged reluctor wheel or timing problem can also create the same signal failure.
How is P0335 different from P0016?
P0335 is a direct crankshaft-signal fault. P0016 is a cam-to-crank timing correlation fault. If the crank signal is weak, erratic, or the timing hardware has moved, the two can appear together.
Can low battery voltage trigger P0335?
Low voltage can contribute to starting and sensor signal problems, but it is usually not the only cause. You still need to inspect the sensor, wiring, and timing-related hardware.
Will clearing the code fix it?
No. If the fault is still present, the code will return and the engine may continue to stall or not start.
09 / Source and method
- DATA BASIS
- OBD-II REFERENCE + OBD2.HELP
- METHOD
- STATIC VALIDATION
- SAFETY
- INFORMATIONAL
This page combines OBD-II diagnostic reference data with OBD2.help generated diagnostic guidance for code meaning, likely causes, and repair direction.
Publishing uses deterministic schema and build validation, plus manual spot checks on representative pages before release.
Safety-critical diagnosis and repairs should be confirmed with a qualified mechanic, especially when the vehicle is misfiring, overheating, or losing power.