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P0335 — Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit Fault

P0335 is set when the engine control module does not receive a valid signal from the crankshaft position sensor. The crank sensor is the primary timing reference for the entire engine — fuel injection, ignition timing, and cam position correlation all depend on a clean crank signal. Without it, the engine will not start, or it will stall as soon as the signal drops out.

P0335 means crankshaft position sensor circuit fault. Stop driving and diagnose it before continuing — it can signal an unsafe condition. The most common cause is failed crankshaft position sensor (heat-related failure) (typically $100–$400). Causes and cost vary by make and model; confirm the root cause before replacing parts.

Severity: critical powertrain Do not drive

Reviewed by MECH AI Editorial · Last verified

What does P0335 mean?

P0335 is set when the engine control module does not receive a valid signal from the crankshaft position sensor. The crank sensor is the primary timing reference for the entire engine — fuel injection, ignition timing, and cam position correlation all depend on a clean crank signal. Without it, the engine will not start, or it will stall as soon as the signal drops out.

What are the symptoms of P0335?

What causes P0335?

Cause Likelihood Estimated repair (USD)
Failed crankshaft position sensor (heat-related failure) — Heat-soak failure pattern is the textbook P0335 — fails when hot, recovers when cold. Most common $100–$400
Damaged or melted sensor wiring near the exhaust Common $80–$350
Corroded crank sensor connector Common $30–$200
Damaged crank reluctor / tone ring (rare, requires teardown) Rare $1,500–$4,000
Loose or improperly torqued sensor (cannot read gap correctly) Occasional $20–$100
Failed PCM input (rare) Rare $400–$1,500

Repair costs are typical US ranges and vary by make, model, model year, and labor rate. A diagnostic trouble code is a symptom, not a guaranteed failed part — confirm the root cause before replacing anything.

Is it safe to drive with P0335?

No. P0335 is a critical-severity code — avoid driving until it is diagnosed and repaired, as it can indicate an unsafe condition or risk further damage.

How to diagnose P0335

  1. Confirm the engine cranks but doesn't fire

    P0335 typically presents as a crank-no-start. Confirm by cranking — the engine should rotate normally but never fire. If the engine fires intermittently, the sensor may be marginal; if it never fires, the sensor or wiring is fully out.

    Tools: Common observation

  2. Locate the sensor on the engine

    Crank sensors are typically mounted on the timing cover (front of engine), the bell housing (rear of engine), or on the side of the block. Consult the service manual. Most are accessible from underneath with a basic socket set.

    Tools: Vehicle-specific service information

  3. Inspect wiring and connector

    The sensor wiring routes close to the exhaust on many engines. Look for heat-damaged insulation, broken wires, or melted connectors. Sensor connectors near the firewall accumulate water and corrode — clean thoroughly.

    Tools: Flashlight, Electrical contact cleaner

  4. Test sensor resistance and reference voltage

    Most crank sensors are inductive (variable reluctance) with approximately 200–2,000 Ω resistance, or Hall-effect with a 5 V reference. Compare to the service manual. With the connector unplugged and key on, verify the 5 V reference reaches the connector (Hall-effect sensors).

    Tools: Multimeter, Wiring diagram

  5. Heat-soak test for intermittent failures

    P0335 that comes and goes with temperature is the textbook heat-soak failure pattern. Drive until the engine is hot, then attempt a restart immediately. If the engine cranks-no- starts hot and starts fine after cooling, the sensor is the cause even if cold-bench tests pass.

    Tools: Patience

How do I fix P0335?

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P0335: frequently asked questions

What does diagnostic trouble code P0335 mean?

P0335 is set when the engine control module does not receive a valid signal from the crankshaft position sensor. The crank sensor is the primary timing reference for the entire engine — fuel injection, ignition timing, and cam position correlation all depend on a clean crank signal. Without it, the engine will not start, or it will stall as soon as the signal drops out.

What are the symptoms of P0335?

Check Engine Light is illuminated. Engine cranks but will not start. Intermittent stalling that worsens with engine heat. Hard starting after a long drive (heat-soak failure). Sudden stalling at highway speed with restart difficulty. Tachometer reads zero or fluctuates while running. Hard cold start with extended crank time

What causes P0335?

Failed crankshaft position sensor (heat-related failure) (most-common). Damaged or melted sensor wiring near the exhaust (common). Corroded crank sensor connector (common). Damaged crank reluctor / tone ring (rare, requires teardown) (rare). Loose or improperly torqued sensor (cannot read gap correctly) (occasional). Failed PCM input (rare) (rare)

Is it safe to drive with P0335?

No. P0335 is a critical-severity code — avoid driving until it is diagnosed and repaired, as it can indicate an unsafe condition or risk further damage.