Number P0335: Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit
The crankshaft position sensor reads a tone wheel with a reference gap (GM 58X, i.e. 60-2; Ford 36-1, 40-1 or 60-2) and gives the engine module speed and crank angle for injection and ignition. P0335 means it delivers no pulses although the engine demonstrably turns. GM proves the rotation via start
Can you drive with P0335?
Severity: Fix promptly — drivability fault. Short trips at moderate speed only. If the car has entered limp mode (won't rev, stuck in one gear), have it towed rather than forcing it.
If you ignore it: Limp-mode faults tend to strand you, and several of them (misfires, throttle faults) damage other parts while you wait.
This is the #36 most common code in our top-150 library, in the engine position & speed sensors family (Powertrain system). Severity is Number Nest's editorial triage — if the light is flashing or the car feels unsafe, stop driving it whatever any page says.
What P0335 means
The crankshaft position sensor reads a tone wheel with a reference gap (GM 58X, i.e. 60-2; Ford 36-1, 40-1 or 60-2) and gives the engine module speed and crank angle for injection and ignition. P0335 means it delivers no pulses although the engine demonstrably turns. GM proves the rotation via starter, camshaft pulses or airflow above 1.5 g/s and sets the code after at least 4 s of cranking or 0.3 s while running without a crank pulse (2 of 10 revolutions); petrol engines after two trips, the LML diesel in the first. Ford compares with the camshaft: more than one revolution without a crank signal, detected within 5 s. Without the signal the engine stalls or does not start; GM Global A engines (Saab 9-5 2010) keep running only with learned cam positions. A hot sensor that fails and recovers after cooling is typical.
Systems involved: crankshaft position sensor, crankshaft tone wheel, sensor wiring, engine control module (ECM/PCM).
Causes, ranked by likelihood
| # | Cause | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crankshaft position sensor faulty (heat, age – typical hot-start failure) | most likely |
| 2 | Connector or wiring corroded, chafed, oil-soaked or open | most likely |
| 3 | 5 V reference shorted by another sensor on the same supply | possible |
| 4 | Tone wheel damaged, loose or clogged with chips; air gap wrong after engine work | possible |
| 5 | Engine module | less common |
Check them in order — the list is ranked so the likely, cheaper causes come before the expensive part.
Symptoms you may notice
- Engine cranks but does not start
- Engine stalls while driving or at idle
- Hot-start problem: starts again after cooling down
- Tachometer drops out, check engine light on
Misdiagnosis traps
- Crank-no-start plus P0335 gets the sensor replaced when the real fault is a damaged reluctor ring or a harness shorted against the exhaust.
- Some engines need a crank relearn (CASE learn) after sensor or engine work, or the code returns with phantom misfires.
How a good shop confirms it
- Verify the signal while cranking; inspect the ring tone wheel and connector before ordering parts.
Repair options & costs
| Repair | Shop total (parts + labor) | DIY (parts only) | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crankshaft position sensor | $113 – $300 | $50 – $150 (parts only) | 2/5 |
National ranges from Number Nest's cost model (midsize car, independent shop, US-average labor).
OBDex repair data for this code rates the job difficulty medium with a typical labor time in the 0.5–3 hour range and DIY possible: yes.
Price this repair in your state
Estimated total: — (midsize car, independent shop)
Frequently asked questions
Why does the tachometer drop out?
The tach reads the crank signal. A tach that falls to zero while the engine still runs for a moment is the crank sensor's signature failure.
How much does it cost to fix P0335?
The fix most associated with this code — crankshaft position sensor — runs $113 – $300 at an independent shop for a midsize car in our cost model (parts + labor, US average). The code names a system, not a part, so confirm the cause before spending: the ranked causes above are ordered by likelihood.
Can I drive with P0335?
See the can-you-drive verdict above — it is based on the system involved and the cascading-damage risk, and it is our editorial triage, not a manufacturer instruction. If the light is flashing or the car feels unsafe, stop driving it regardless of any code.
Will P0335 clear itself?
If the fault was a one-off (a loose cap, a cold-start glitch), the light can go out after several clean trips and the code ages into history. A fault that is still present re-sets the code as soon as the car runs that self-test again — monitors run under specific conditions, which is why "it hasn't come back in two days" is not proof of a fix.
Will my car fail inspection with P0335?
In states with OBD-based emissions inspection, yes — an illuminated check-engine light or an incomplete readiness monitor fails the test regardless of what the tailpipe would show. C-codes (ABS) fall under safety inspection instead in states that have one.
What should I check first for P0335?
The first item on the ranked-causes list above — it is ranked likelihood-first for exactly this reason — plus the free checks: recent work in the area (connectors left loose are a classic), fluid levels, and the battery and grounds on electrical codes.
Where this data comes from
Code facts, causes and symptoms come from OBDex — an open dataset of independently authored descriptions of the standardized generic OBD-II codes (CC0 1.0, public domain; github.com/foerbsnavi/OBDex). The SAE J2012 document itself is copyrighted and is not reproduced here. Cost ranges are Number Nest's own US planning model: national parts and labor ranges cross-checked against the CarMD Vehicle Health Index 2026 published averages, with labor adjustable by the BLS OEWS May 2025 state wage index for auto technicians (occupation 49-3023) — a wage index, not a surveyed shop rate. Severity and can-you-drive notes are our editorial triage, not a manufacturer instruction.