Engine

P0336 — Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance

Severity: medium Drive with care, to a shop

What P0336 means

The engine control module uses the crankshaft position sensor to track engine speed and piston position, which it needs to time ignition and fuel injection. P0336 sets when the signal's pattern, frequency or stability doesn't match what the module expects, such as missing pulses or electrical noise. The signal isn't completely gone, but it can't be trusted.

Symptoms

  • Check Engine Light on
  • Hard starting or no start
  • Intermittent stalling
  • Erratic idle speed
  • Hesitation or misfire under acceleration
  • Rough idle
  • May appear together with P0335

Possible causes

  1. Failing crankshaft position sensor
  2. Damaged wiring, poor connection or corroded connector
  3. Damaged or misaligned reluctor (tone) ring
  4. Incorrect air gap between sensor and ring
  5. Metal debris or dirt on the sensor tip
  6. Loose sensor or loose ring/rotor
  7. PCM fault (uncommon)

How to diagnose

  1. Read all codes and freeze frame data, and look for P0335 or camshaft sensor codes
  2. Inspect the sensor connector and harness for chafing, breaks, oil and corrosion
  3. Wiggle the harness with the engine running and watch for RPM signal dropouts on a scan tool
  4. Remove the sensor and check the tip for debris or damage, and confirm it is mounted securely
  5. Inspect the reluctor ring for bent or missing teeth and check the air gap
  6. Check sensor power and ground, and resistance if the manufacturer specifies it
  7. Scope the signal and compare it with the camshaft sensor signal
  8. Suspect the PCM only after everything else checks out

Common fixes

  • Replace the crankshaft position sensor
  • Repair the wiring or replace the connector
  • Replace or repair the reluctor ring
  • Clean the mounting area, set the correct air gap and secure the sensor
  • Reprogram or replace the PCM (last resort)

Questions and answers

Can I drive with a P0336 code?

Only briefly and with caution. The engine can stall with no warning and then fail to restart, so fix the cause as soon as you can.

What is the difference between P0335 and P0336?

P0335 means the crankshaft sensor signal is missing or the circuit is faulty, while P0336 means a signal is present but is erratic or implausible. The causes overlap: sensor, wiring and reluctor ring.

What most often causes P0336?

A worn sensor or a poor connection in its wiring is the most common cause. If those are fine, check the reluctor ring, air gap and any debris on the sensor.

This is general information about the code. The meaning can differ between makes and models: a scan tool and the repair manual for your car will show the exact cause.