P0336 The crankshaft position sensor 'A' signal is present but out of the expected range or pattern

Crankshaft position sensor A circuit range/performance

P0336 in short

P0336 means the crankshaft position sensor signal is there but does not look right, from a damaged tone wheel, a dirty or loose sensor, wiring trouble or sometimes software. It can cause rough running, limp mode or stalling. Get it inspected soon, and stop driving if the engine stalls or cuts out.

The crankshaft position sensor reads a toothed or magnetic tone wheel on the crankshaft, and the engine computer uses that signal for spark and fuel timing. P0336 sets when the signal is present but the tooth pattern, count or timing does not make sense, which is different from P0335, where the signal is missing or the circuit is open.

Because the computer can still see a signal, the engine often keeps running but may stumble, hesitate or drop into a reduced-power mode. If the signal drops out completely the engine can stall.

Known make-specific causes include a tone wheel losing its magnetic material on 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0L diesels, and an ECM calibration on 2017 Buick LaCrosse and Cadillac XT5.

Most likely causes

  1. Crank sensor dirty, loose, damaged or failing

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    Debris on the magnet, heat damage or a loose mounting changes the signal shape; this is the most common general cause.
    What would change this
    Rises if the sensor is oily, metal-coated or loose, or the signal is weak on a scope.
    How to test the crankshaft position sensor

  2. Damaged wiring or poor connection at the crank sensor

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    Chafed, oil-soaked or corroded wiring adds noise or drops the signal; OBD rules check sensor signals for rationality.
    What would change this
    Rises if wiggling the harness changes the signal or the code returns after rain or heat.

  3. Damaged crankshaft tone wheel (documented on Ram/Jeep 3.0L diesel)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    FCA extended warranty on 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0L diesels for a tone wheel missing magnetic material, causing P0335/P0336, limp mode and stalls.
    What would change this
    Rises on those diesels with limp mode above about 50 mph or periodic stalls.

  4. Engine computer calibration (2017 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XT5)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    GM released ECM reprogramming to correct P0336 due to sensor concerns on these models.
    What would change this
    Applies to the listed models; a dealer can check whether it is done.

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Ask a dealer whether a bulletin or warranty extension applies to the VIN (Ram/Jeep 3.0L diesel tone wheel, GM 2017 LaCrosse/XT5 ECM update).

    Low risk

  2. With the engine off, inspect the crank sensor connector and wiring for damage, oil, corrosion or a loose sensor.

    Use cautionTool: flashlight, inspection mirror

    Warning:Engine off and cool; the sensor is often near the exhaust or underneath the engine. Support the car on stands if you need to get underneath.

  3. Have a shop check the crank sensor signal on an oscilloscope while cranking and running, and inspect the sensor and tone wheel.

    Best left to a shopTool: oscilloscope

    Warning:Probing sensor wiring with the engine running puts hands near moving belts and hot parts; leave it to a shop.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Hesitation, rough running or misfire
  • Reduced power or limp mode
  • Engine stalls or will not start Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

Compare with: Check engine light with loss of power, Car shaking with the check engine light on

How to fix

On your vehicle

Ram

  • 2014–2018 · 1500 · 3.0L V6 diesel

    Supported by vehicle data

    On the 2014-2018 Ram 1500 3.0L diesel, P0336 with limp mode or stalling points at a tone wheel losing its magnetic material; FCA extended the warranty for the repair.

  • 14-007-21Status unverified

    3.0L diesel crankshaft tone wheel loss of signal (X94 warranty extension)

    2014–20181500 · 3.0L V6 diesel · issued · NHTSA 10218582

    Replace the crankshaft tone wheel when P0335/P0336 set with limp mode above about 50 mph or periodic stalls; the tone wheel loses magnetic material.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Jeep

  • 2014–2018 · Grand Cherokee · 3.0L V6 diesel

    Supported by vehicle data

    Same tone wheel issue and warranty extension on the 2014-2018 Grand Cherokee 3.0L diesel.

  • 14-008-21Status unverified

    3.0L diesel crankshaft tone wheel loss of signal (X95 warranty extension)

    2014–2018grand-cherokee · 3.0L V6 diesel · issued · NHTSA 10218581

    Same tone wheel repair as the Ram bulletin for the Grand Cherokee 3.0L diesel.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Buick

  • 2017 · LaCrosse

    Supported by vehicle data

    On the 2017 LaCrosse (and Cadillac XT5), GM corrects P0336 with an ECM reprogram before parts are replaced.

  • 17-NA-156Status unverified

    ECM reprogramming for P0336 Crankshaft Position Sensor Performance

    2017lacrosse · issued · NHTSA 10137652

    Reprogram the ECM to correct P0336 due to sensor concerns; also covers the 2017 Cadillac XT5.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • P0335Crankshaft position sensor A circuit fault

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    P0335 is the crank sensor circuit code; FCA and GM bulletins list P0335 and P0336 together for the same sensor and tone wheel faults.

  • P0340Camshaft position sensor circuit fault (bank 1 or single sensor)

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    GM lists P0336 with P0340 (camshaft sensor) for stalling and rough running; both are engine position inputs.

All Ignition and engine position sensors codes

P0336 questions

What is the difference between P0335 and P0336?

P0335 means the crank sensor circuit or signal is missing. P0336 means a signal is there but it does not look right, such as wrong tooth count or erratic timing, which often points at the sensor mounting, the tone wheel or wiring noise.

Sources and review

  1. Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) list — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles
  2. What are the symptoms of a bad crankshaft sensor? — Delphi Technologies
  3. FCA 14-007-21 (X94 warranty extension): 3.0L diesel crankshaft tone wheel loss of signal — FCA US / NHTSA ,
  4. GM 4137: Stall, engine runs rough, P0335, P0336, P0340 or P0341 — General Motors / NHTSA ,
  5. Cal. Code Regs. tit. 13, § 1968.2 - Malfunction and Diagnostic System Requirements (OBD II) — California Air Resources Board (via Cornell LII)
  6. 2001 Lincoln Continental Owner's Guide - Warning lights (Check engine) — Ford Motor Company
  7. 2023 Integra Owner's Manual: Indicator, Coming On/Blinking — American Honda Motor Co.
  8. ASE L1 Advanced Engine Performance Specialist Test: Composite Vehicle Type 4 Reference Booklet — ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence)
  9. FCA 14-008-21 (X95 warranty extension): 3.0L diesel crankshaft tone wheel loss of signal — FCA US / NHTSA ,
  10. GM 17-NA-156: ECM reprogramming for DTC P0336 Crankshaft Position Sensor Performance — General Motors / NHTSA ,
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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