By David Reynolds | Updated: October 2026
What does code P0335 crankshaft position sensor mean? It means the engine computer is not getting a proper signal from the crankshaft position sensor circuit. The cause may be a worn sensor, damaged wiring, or a loose connector. Stalling and hard starting are common, so test the circuit before replacing parts.
A 2012 Honda Civic cranks strongly but stalls at the first stoplight. The scan tool shows a code. This guide explains what a P0335 crankshaft position sensor code means, what usually causes it, and what to check before you spend money.
Key Takeaways
✓ P0335 points to the crankshaft sensor circuit, not always the sensor itself.
✓ Wiring, connectors, low battery voltage, and oil leaks can set the same code.
✓ A flashing check engine light or repeated stalling calls for a professional.
✓ Test first, replace second.
This article is for general educational guidance only. It does not guarantee specific results and does not replace advice from a qualified technician. Some diagnostic and repair tasks need a trained professional or must follow local regulations. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual and current local rules, and consult a qualified professional when needed.
What Does Code P0335 Crankshaft Position Sensor Mean?
Picture a 2012 Honda Civic with a steady check engine light and a rough start on cold mornings. A code reader plugged into the OBD2 port shows P0335. That trouble code means the engine computer, called the powertrain control module (PCM), is not seeing a normal signal from the crankshaft position sensor circuit.
The crankshaft position sensor tracks how fast the crankshaft spins and where it sits in its turn. The PCM uses that signal to time spark and fuel injection. Without it, the engine may crank but not start, or it may stall without warning.
The official name is “Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Malfunction.” The word circuit matters. The sensor, its wiring, its connector, or the voltage feeding it can all set the code. In my experience, owners who read it as “bad sensor” sometimes replace a good part.
P0335 often travels with neighbors. P0336 means range or performance, P0337 a low signal, P0338 a high signal, and P0339 an intermittent one. A misfire code like P0300 or a camshaft correlation code like P0016 may show up beside it. Write down every code, because the full set tells the story.
Note: A code is a starting point. It shows which circuit the computer questions, not which part failed.
Why Code P0335 Matters More Than Many Check Engine Codes
Take a family minivan that stalls while merging onto a highway. A loose gas cap code can wait a few days. A crankshaft signal fault cannot always wait, because the engine may shut off at a bad moment, and steering and braking feel much heavier without engine power.
Ignored, the fault can also lead to misfires that push unburned fuel into the catalytic converter, which is costly to replace. An active check engine light also usually means a failed emissions inspection. The EPA website gives general emissions background, and your state program sets the exact rules.
Heads-Up: Do not clear the code just to pass inspection. Clearing resets readiness monitors, so the vehicle may read “not ready” until a drive cycle finishes.
Common P0335 Symptoms and Likely Causes
Consider a 2016 Ford F-150 with a weak battery that cranks slowly and then dies after starting. Low voltage can distort the sensor signal, so the symptoms below overlap with other faults. Use the table to narrow your first move.
Symptom vs Likely Cause Table
Decision: if the engine will not start, check battery voltage and the connector first. If live RPM stays at zero after that, book a technician.
Which Vehicles and Scan Tools Can Read Code P0335
A 2005 Toyota Camry and a 2021 Toyota RAV4 both use an OBD2 port under the dash, but the newer car talks over a CAN bus, a faster network most US cars have used since 2008. Gas vehicles sold in the US since 1996 support OBD2, so nearly any reader can show P0335. The difference is how much extra data the tool offers.
Hybrids and diesels set this code too. A hybrid’s engine may restart through the hybrid system, so follow the owner’s manual. For more tool guidance, browse our Automotive Diagnostic articles.
Scan Tool Comparison Table
How to Diagnose Code P0335 Step by Step
Safety Note: Keep hands away from belts, fans, and the crank pulley when the engine runs. Work on a cool engine, and support a raised vehicle on jack stands, never a jack alone. If you disconnect the battery, remove the negative cable first and check the manual for reset steps.
This is the order a careful owner or technician follows. It moves from simple to complex so parts get bought last.
Most P0335 cases are solved at steps 3 through 5. If you reach step 6 with no clear finding, hand the job to a technician.
Is It Safe to Drive With a P0335 Code?
A 2019 Toyota RAV4 shows a steady check engine light but runs fine. Is the commute okay? The path below gives a safe starting rule.
A flashing light often signals an active misfire that can harm the catalytic converter, so treat it as urgent.
Myth vs reality: The myth says that if the car still starts, P0335 is harmless. In reality, an intermittent crankshaft signal fault often gets worse, and the next stall may happen in traffic.
When to contact a professional: Call an ASE-certified technician if the light flashes, the engine stalls repeatedly, the sensor sits behind a timing cover or transmission, or wiring needs repair. You can find one through ASE.
Checks Beginners Often Miss Before Replacing the Sensor
Technicians rarely swap the sensor first. They rule out cheap causes, and you can do the same with this dashboard.
Low voltage and a loose ground strap can mimic sensor failure. Test and clean them first.
Leaks can wick up the wires into the sensor plug. Fix the leak, not just the sensor.
Wires near the exhaust or moving parts can melt or chafe. Look for shiny rubbed spots.
A loose bolt or missing spacer shifts the gap to the toothed wheel. Match the original position.
The toothed wheel the sensor reads can be damaged or packed with debris. Technicians inspect it.
Camshaft or timing codes may point away from the crank sensor. Read the whole code set.
If three or more items on this list look suspect, fix those before ordering a sensor.
Best Practices vs Less Effective Habits
Take a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu where the owner clears the code and drives on. The light returns in two days. The table shows habits that save money and habits that waste it.
Best Practice vs Less Effective Use Table
Matching the Approach to Your Vehicle
A 2007 Ford Focus with an exposed sensor and a 2022 hybrid SUV need different plans. Age, layout, and drivetrain decide how far a DIY fix can go.
Vehicle Fit Table
The cards below show which tool type tends to fit which owner.
Basic code reader
Shows P0335 and clears it. It rarely shows live RPM.
Bluetooth adapter
Adds live RPM on a phone. Choose a known brand for stable connections.
Bi-directional scan tool
Reads many modules and can run tests. It is more than most owners need.
Multimeter
Checks voltage and continuity. Use the service manual for the right test values.
Common Mistakes and Pro Tips for P0335
An owner with a 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan replaces the sensor twice and the code returns. The real cause was a chafed wire. Routine upkeep, like fixing oil leaks and keeping the battery healthy, helps prevent this, and the Car Care Council offers general maintenance guidance.
Common Mistake vs Better Choice Table
Tip: In my experience, a quick phone photo of the connector and sensor position before removal prevents a lot of reassembly mistakes.
The meter below is an editorial guide to the typical priority of each check.
Typical priority (practical guide)
Battery and ground check: 90%
Connector and wiring inspection: 75%
Live RPM check while cranking: 55%
Sensor replacement: 35%
Start at the top of the list and move down. Sensor replacement comes last because the cheaper checks solve many cases.
Frequently Asked Questions About Code P0335
＋ What does P0335 mean?
It means the PCM sees no signal or an unusable signal from the crankshaft position sensor circuit. The sensor, wiring, connector, or battery voltage may be responsible. Test the circuit before buying parts.
＋ Can I drive with a P0335 code?
It is risky, because the engine may stall without warning. If the light flashes or the car stalls, stop driving and call a professional. If it runs normally, keep trips short and diagnose it soon.
＋ How much does it cost to fix P0335?
Costs vary by vehicle. A sensor part often runs about $25 to $150, and shop repairs commonly land between about $150 and $450. Get a written estimate after the shop confirms the cause.
＋ Can a bad battery cause P0335?
Yes. Low voltage during cranking can distort the sensor signal and set the code. Test the battery and cable ends first, then recheck for the code.
＋ Is P0335 the crankshaft or camshaft sensor?
P0335 is the crankshaft position sensor. Camshaft sensor faults use different codes, such as P0340. If both appear, read all codes and consider a technician.
＋ Will clearing the code fix the problem?
No. Clearing only erases the stored code, and it returns if the fault remains. Fix the cause first, then clear the code and test drive.
Final Thoughts
Code P0335 tells you the crankshaft signal is missing or unreliable, not that a part has definitely failed. Record the codes, check the battery and wiring, watch live RPM, and replace the sensor only when tests support it. That order saves money and avoids repeat visits.
For a flashing light, repeated stalling, or a hard-to-reach sensor, see a qualified technician. Check your owner’s manual and local emissions rules first, and explore more guides in our Automotive Diagnostic category.