P0335: Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)
What P0335 means
The crankshaft position sensor (CKP) reads the rotational speed and position of the crankshaft. It sits next to a toothed reluctor ring on the crankshaft, and as the teeth pass the sensor it produces a pulse signal the engine computer (PCM) reads as crank position. OBD-Codes.com explains that P0335 sets when the PCM sees no crank pulses or a problem with the pulses. P0335 is a generic code that applies to all OBD-II vehicles, and 'A' distinguishes it from P0385, the same fault on crankshaft sensor 'B'. The two sources differ on what the signal is used for: RepairPal says the PCM uses it to control ignition timing and fuel delivery, while OBD-Codes.com notes that on some vehicles the crank sensor is used only for misfire detection, in which case the car should still start and run with the check engine light on. If the sensor also controls spark timing, the car may not start at all. They also differ on causes: OBD-Codes.com lists a damaged reluctor ring, a broken timing belt and a failed PCM, while RepairPal adds a bad camshaft sensor and a misfiring engine, and warns that the crank sensor is often replaced when one of those is the real cause. P0335 ranked 26th in the 2026 carfaultcodes.co.uk review of UK fault code data.
Severity: can I keep driving?
Stop and fix promptly
Get this diagnosed promptly. RepairPal rates P0335 'Urgent' and lists stalling and an engine that dies and won't restart among the symptoms. If the engine hesitates, stalls or is hard to start, avoid relying on the car, especially in traffic or on the highway, until it's checked.
Common symptoms
- Check engine light on (on some vehicles only after several drive cycles, per OBD-Codes.com)
- Hard starting, cranking without starting, or no start
- Engine hesitation or stalling (listed by RepairPal)
- Engine dies and won't restart (listed by RepairPal)
- Rough running or misfiring
- Sometimes no noticeable symptoms at all (noted by RepairPal)
Likely causes
Roughly most to least common, based on the sources below. Your vehicle may differ.
- Failed crankshaft position sensor
- Damaged sensor connector, or faulty or corroded wiring
- Sensor signal wire open, shorted to ground or shorted to voltage
- Damaged reluctor ring (missing teeth, or not turning because of a sheared keyway) (listed by OBD-Codes.com)
- Broken timing belt (listed by OBD-Codes.com)
- Failed camshaft position sensor (listed by RepairPal)
- Engine misfire (listed by RepairPal)
- Failed engine computer (PCM), which is less common (listed by OBD-Codes.com)
Diagnostic steps you can do
Work on a cool engine, parked on level ground with the parking brake set. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.
- Read all stored codes. Cam sensor codes (such as P0340) or misfire codes (P0300 to P0304) alongside P0335 change where you should look first.
- With a scan tool, check whether an RPM reading shows while the engine cranks or runs. OBD-Codes.com uses a missing RPM signal as the first sign the crank signal isn't reaching the PCM.
- Visually inspect the crank sensor, its connector and wiring for damage, corrosion or loose pins, and repair anything you find.
- If you have a multimeter and the service manual's resistance spec for your sensor, check the sensor, then recheck from the PCM connector to rule out wiring, as OBD-Codes.com describes. Sensor types vary too much for a single universal spec.
- If the fault is intermittent, wiggle the harness with the engine running to try to reproduce it, then clear the code and see whether it returns.
Typical fixes
- Repair open or shorted wiring, or a damaged connector
- Replace the crankshaft position sensor if testing shows it has failed
- Replace a damaged reluctor ring or repair a sheared keyway
- Replace a broken timing belt (and check for engine damage)
- Diagnose and replace the camshaft sensor, or fix a misfire, if that's the real cause
- Diagnose and replace the PCM only after the sensor and wiring check out
Repair costs vary widely by vehicle, region, parts brand and shop, so we don't quote prices. Get a written estimate after diagnosis.
🛠 When to call a pro
- The engine cranks but won't start, or stalls while driving
- You suspect a broken timing belt or a damaged reluctor ring, which means engine teardown
- You've replaced the crank sensor and the code came back, which RepairPal flags as a common misdiagnosis
- Checking the sensor's waveform properly needs an oscilloscope and wiring diagrams
Where to buy
Plain search links. Always match parts to your exact year, make, model and engine.
FAQs
Will a new crankshaft sensor fix P0335?
Not necessarily. Both sources say the code covers the whole circuit, and OBD-Codes.com adds mechanical causes like a damaged reluctor ring or broken timing belt. RepairPal lists replacing the crank sensor when the real cause is a bad cam sensor, poor connection, chafed wiring or a misfire as common misdiagnoses.
Can I drive with P0335?
RepairPal rates it 'Urgent', and the engine may hesitate, stall, or die and not restart. OBD-Codes.com notes that on cars that use the crank sensor only for misfire detection, the car may run normally with the light on. Either way, have it diagnosed promptly rather than risk stalling in traffic.
What's the difference between P0335 and P0385?
OBD-Codes.com describes them as basically identical: P0335 is for crankshaft position sensor 'A' and P0385 is for crankshaft position sensor 'B'.
What's the difference between P0335 and P0336?
P0335 is a general circuit fault for crank sensor 'A', meaning the signal is missing or faulty. P0336 is the range/performance code for the same sensor.
Sources
Last reviewed 2026-10-22. Code definitions and repair steps can vary by manufacturer. Confirm with your vehicle's service information.