What P0335 means
The engine computer isn't getting a signal from the crankshaft position sensor, which tells it how fast the engine is turning and when to fire each spark plug and injector. Without that signal the engine can stall or refuse to start. A failing sensor, often one that quits when hot, or damaged wiring is the usual cause.
How the engine computer detects it
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); gasoline 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.
Written from public technical sources and not yet checked by a mechanic. How we write these pages
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
Common causes
- Crankshaft position sensor faulty (heat, age – typical hot-start failure) Most likely
- Connector or wiring corroded, chafed, oil-soaked or open Most likely
- 5 V reference shorted by another sensor on the same supply Possible
- Tone wheel damaged, loose or clogged with chips; air gap wrong after engine work Possible
- Engine module Less likely
How to diagnose P0335
- Watch the tachometer while cranking. If the needle stays at zero, the crank signal is missing.
- With the ignition off, find the sensor and check its connector and wiring for oil, corrosion, chafing or a loose plug.
- If other sensor codes are set at the same time, a short in a shared 5-volt sensor supply may be the cause rather than the crank sensor itself.
- If the engine dies when hot and starts again after cooling down, the sensor is the most likely culprit. Replace it with a good-quality part.
- If a new sensor doesn't help, a shop can check the signal with a scope and inspect the toothed wheel the sensor reads, especially after recent engine work.
- Some cars need a crankshaft sensor relearn with a scanner after the repair.
Vehicles that report P0335 most
| Vehicle | Years | Reports | Share | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Altima | 2002–2008 | 31 | 62k | |
| Nissan Sentra | 2001–2006 | 13 | 96k | |
| Dodge Journey | 2009–2019 | 10 | 68k | |
| Jeep Patriot | 2011–2016 | 8 | 40k | |
| Jeep Compass | 2012–2018 | 5 | 55k | |
| Chevrolet Silverado 2500 | 2002–2013 | 3 | 99k |
Counts of owner complaints to the NHTSA that mention P0335 (103 in total), not failure rates: popular models get more complaints simply because more of them are on the road. Models with fewer than 3 complaints are left out.
Reading the code
- P
- Powertrain
- 0
- Generic (SAE) code
- 3
- Ignition system or misfire
- 35
- Specific fault
Questions drivers ask
Can I drive with code P0335?
Be careful: the engine can stall without warning, and steering and brakes become much harder to use when it does. If it has already stalled while driving, don't drive it in traffic or on the highway until it's fixed; have it towed.
Will my car pass an emissions inspection with P0335?
Probably not in states that test vehicles with an OBD-II scan: an emissions-related code that keeps the check engine light on is usually an automatic fail. Rules differ by state and county, so check yours.
Will P0335 clear by itself?
The light can go off after several drive cycles without the fault, but the code returns if the cause is still there. After a repair, the readiness monitors need a full drive cycle before an inspection.
Can I fix P0335 myself?
Often yes, with an OBD-II scanner and basic tools. Difficulty: medium. Start with the cheapest checks before replacing expensive parts.
Often reported together
Codes that owners mention in the same NHTSA complaints as P0335. They can point to a shared cause, so it's worth checking them together.
This page is general information, not a substitute for a professional diagnosis. Repair costs are rough estimates for parts and labor and vary by vehicle and region.