P0336: Crankshaft Position Sensor A Range/Performance (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

What P0336 means

The crankshaft position sensor (CKP) reads the rotational speed and position of the crankshaft. It sits in front of a toothed reluctor wheel on the crankshaft, and as the teeth pass it produces a signal the engine computer (PCM) reads as engine RPM and crank position. OBD-Codes.com explains that the PCM also uses this signal to detect misfires and, together with the camshaft sensor, to time spark and fuel injection, and that P0336 may set if the PCM senses a loss of the crank signal even momentarily. RepairPal says the code sets when the PCM detects an irregular signal or no signal. P0336 is the range/performance code for crank sensor 'A'; P0335 is the general circuit fault, and P0337, P0338 and P0339 cover low, high and intermittent signals. The two sources differ on causes: OBD-Codes.com focuses on the sensor, wiring and mechanical problems with the reluctor ring (missing teeth, debris, or a ring that has come loose on the crankshaft), while RepairPal adds a bad camshaft sensor and a misfiring engine, and warns that the crank sensor is often replaced when one of those, or a poor connection, is the real cause. OBD-Codes.com also notes that on some engines the reluctor ring sits in the transmission bell housing or behind the front engine cover, which makes it hard to reach.

Severity: can I keep driving?

Stop and fix promptly

Get this diagnosed promptly. RepairPal rates P0336 'Urgent' and lists stalling and an engine that dies and won't restart among the symptoms, and OBD-Codes.com lists intermittent stalling and no start. Avoid relying on the car, especially in traffic or on the highway, until it's checked.

Common symptoms

• Check engine light on
• Intermittent stalling, then sometimes no start (listed by OBD-Codes.com)
• Hard starting or cranking without starting
• Engine hesitation, or engine dies and won't restart (listed by RepairPal)
• Intermittent misfire (listed by OBD-Codes.com)
• 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.

1. Failed crankshaft position sensor
2. Chafed wiring causing a short, or an open in the sensor circuit
3. Loose connection, corroded terminals or a broken lock at the sensor connector
4. Broken reluctor ring (missing teeth or debris lodged in it) (listed by OBD-Codes.com)
5. Reluctor ring dislodged or stripped from its position on the crankshaft (listed by OBD-Codes.com)
6. Failed camshaft position sensor (listed by RepairPal)
7. Engine misfire (listed by RepairPal)

Diagnostic steps you can do

1. Read all stored codes. Cam sensor codes (such as P0340) or misfire codes (P0300 to P0304) alongside P0336 change where you should look first.
2. Crank sensor faults are often intermittent. If the engine stalls or won't restart, crank it while watching the RPM reading on a scan tool or the tachometer, as OBD-Codes.com suggests. No RPM while cranking points to a missing crank signal.
3. Inspect the crank sensor wiring for chafing or cracked insulation, make sure it isn't routed near spark plug wires, and check the connector for loose pins or a broken lock.
4. If you have the service manual's resistance spec for your sensor, remove and test it. Sensor types vary too much for a single universal spec.
5. If the sensor tests good, inspect the reluctor ring for broken teeth, debris, or looseness where you can reach it.

Typical fixes

• Repair chafed, open or shorted wiring, or a damaged connector
• Replace the crankshaft position sensor if testing shows it has failed
• Clean debris from, repair, or replace a damaged or loose reluctor ring
• Diagnose and replace the camshaft sensor, or fix a misfire, if that's the real cause

Repair costs vary widely by vehicle, region, parts brand and shop, so we don't quote prices. Get a written estimate after diagnosis.

Related codes

• P0335 Crankshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Malfunction
• P0337 Crankshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Low
• P0338 Crankshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit High
• P0339 Crankshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Intermittent
• P0340 Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Malfunction

Also listed in this guide:

All Cam/crank timing & sensor codes →

FAQs

Sources

1. OBD-Codes.com: P0336 Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance (Dale Toalston, ASE)
2. RepairPal: P0336 Crankshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Range/Performance (rated Urgent)