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.
High severity. Can I keep driving?Do not start trips with this code: the engine can shut off while you are driving and leave you without power steering and with less brake assist. If it is running now, drive only as far as a safe place and have the car checked.
Symptoms
- 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
Most likely causes
- Crankshaft position sensor faulty (heat, age – typical hot-start failure)
- Connector or wiring corroded, chafed, oil-soaked or open
- 5 V reference shorted by another sensor on the same supply
- Tone wheel damaged, loose or clogged with chips; air gap wrong after engine work
- Engine module
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: medium
- It can trigger limp mode.
- It affects emissions.
What each character of P0335 means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- 3: Ignition and misfires
- 35: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P0335?
Do not start trips with this code: the engine can shut off while you are driving and leave you without power steering and with less brake assist. If it is running now, drive only as far as a safe place and have the car checked.
What causes code P0335?
The most common causes are: crankshaft position sensor faulty (heat, age – typical hot-start failure); connector or wiring corroded, chafed, oil-soaked or open; 5 V reference shorted by another sensor on the same supply.
Related codes
- P0336Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance
- P0339Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent
- P0322Ignition/Distributor Engine Speed Input Circuit No Signal
- P0340Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Bank 1 or Single Sensor
- P0016Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A)
- P2106Throttle Actuator Control System - Forced Limited Power
Sources
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 18OBDG03A Engine Diagnostics
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 18OBDG04 Engine Diagnostics
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 14OBDG10 Engine Diagnostics
- fordservicecontent.com: OBD Operations Summary Gasoline 2020 2023
Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.