P0336

Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance

Ignition / crankshaft position Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P0336 means the crankshaft position sensor's signal is present but erratic or out of the expected range. The ECM relies on this signal for timing and RPM, so a bad one can cause intermittent stalling, hard starts, or a no-start. A faulty sensor or damaged wiring is the usual cause, though a chipped reluctor ring can also trigger it.

High

Can I keep driving? Risky — a crank-sensor performance fault can cause intermittent stalling, hard starts, or a no-start, sometimes without warning; drive as little as possible until it's fixed.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

3,040

scans in the past year

Found in

0.5%

of scans

0.9%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0336 scans

P0335in 31.4% of scans

P0340in 21.8% of scans

P0016in 20.5% of scans

Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Common symptoms

What you'll notice

Check-engine light on
Intermittent stalling or a hard start / no-start
Rough running, hesitation, or surging
Tachometer drops or reads erratically

Common causes

Most likely first

Faulty crankshaft position sensorLikely
Damaged or corroded wiring/connector at the sensorCommon
Damaged reluctor (tone) ring or debris on itCommon
Incorrect sensor air gapLess often
Faulty ECM (rare)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and inspect the sensor connector and wiring for damage or corrosion.
Check the sensor mounting and air gap, and look for metal debris on the reluctor ring.
Test the sensor's signal with a scan tool or scope while cranking.
Inspect the reluctor/tone ring for damaged teeth.
Replace the crank position sensor if it tests faulty; clear and re-test.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0336?+

Not really. A failing crank sensor can stall the engine or prevent it from starting at any moment, which is unsafe in traffic. Fix it promptly.

Can I just clear P0336?+

It returns while the sensor or wiring is faulty. Clearing may briefly restore a start, but the underlying signal problem must be repaired.

Read & clear P0336 yourself

Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.

▶ Get it on Google Play

✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX