P0336
Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Range/PerformanceP0336 is a generic OBD-II powertrain diagnostic trouble code: Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance. It is logged by the engine control unit when the ckp/cmp monitor detects that a specific fault threshold has been exceeded — typically resulting in the malfunction-indicator lamp (MIL / check-engine light) being illuminated.
What P0336 means
P0336 indicates the ECM received a signal from Crankshaft Position Sensor A (CKP) that is erratic, missing pulses, or outside the expected pattern — but not completely absent (which would set P0335). The crankshaft position sensor reads a reluctor wheel machined onto the crankshaft or flywheel and delivers a pulse train the ECM uses to calculate exact crankshaft angle and engine speed. When the pulse count per revolution is inconsistent, contains extra or missing teeth, or the signal amplitude is too low, the ECM flags P0336 after a minimum number of qualifying events.
Range/performance faults are mechanically oriented: the most common cause is a damaged or corroded reluctor wheel tooth — even a single missing or bent tooth produces a dropout the ECM detects as an impossible crank acceleration event. Air-gap variation from a loose sensor or worn sensor tip is the next most common culprit, producing a signal that is intermittently too weak to cross the comparator threshold. Timing-chain stretch that has advanced crankshaft phase beyond calibration limits can also appear as a range fault because the ECM cross-checks CKP against camshaft position.
The practical impact ranges from mild misfires and idle instability to hard no-start if the signal becomes completely unreliable, since the ECM cannot determine injection and ignition timing without valid crank position data.
Common causes
Most-frequently reported root causes when P0336 is logged.
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1
Damaged reluctor wheel (bent, missing, or corroded tooth)
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2
Excessive air gap between sensor tip and reluctor wheel (loose sensor, worn tip)
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3
Faulty crankshaft position sensor (weak signal output)
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4
Damaged or shielded sensor wiring causing signal dropout
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5
Timing chain stretch or jumped timing (phase mismatch with CMP signal)
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6
Flywheel ring-gear damage on vehicles that share the CKP target with the starter ring
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7
Electrical interference from a failing alternator or adjacent wiring
Symptoms drivers notice
How to diagnose P0336
A typical diagnostic flow when this code is present.
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1
Scan for companion codes; note any CMP codes (P034x) or misfire codes that help localise timing vs. sensor fault
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2
Visually inspect the CKP sensor connector and harness for corrosion, chafing, and proper routing away from heat/exhaust
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3
Check sensor air gap with a feeler gauge where accessible (spec typically 0.5–1.5 mm); reseat and torque sensor to spec
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4
Use an oscilloscope or graphing scan tool to capture the CKP waveform at cranking and idle — look for missing pulses, dropout events, or low amplitude
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5
Inspect the reluctor wheel through the sensor aperture or with a borescope for bent or missing teeth, corrosion, or debris
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6
Test sensor resistance and reference voltage/ground supply per manufacturer spec
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7
If waveform and physical inspection are normal, inspect timing chain stretch with a known-good cam/crank correlation test
Related powertrain codes
- P000A — A Camshaft Position Slow Response Bank 1
- P000B — B Camshaft Position Slow Response Bank 1
- P000C — A Camshaft Position Slow Response Bank 2
- P000D — B Camshaft Position Slow Response Bank 2
- P0010 — A Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1)
- P0011 — A Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1)
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between P0335 and P0336?
P0335 means no signal at all — the ECM received zero pulses from the CKP sensor. P0336 means a signal is present but its pattern is erratic or out of expected range. P0336 is therefore more often caused by physical reluctor-wheel damage or air-gap issues, while P0335 usually points to a dead sensor or open circuit.
Can a bad CKP sensor cause random misfires?
Yes. The ECM relies on CKP data to schedule ignition and fuel injection timing for every cylinder. An intermittent or erratic CKP signal will cause the ECM to fire injectors and coils at incorrect intervals, appearing as random misfires across multiple cylinders simultaneously.
How do I check for a damaged reluctor wheel without removing the engine?
Remove the CKP sensor and use a borescope or mirror to inspect the wheel teeth through the sensor bore. Alternatively, a graphing scan tool or oscilloscope connected to the CKP signal wire will show a clear dropout spike at the same crankshaft angle every revolution if one tooth is damaged.
Is P0336 safe to drive with?
Intermittently — the engine may run acceptably when the signal is stable, but an erratic CKP signal can cause sudden stalling at speed, which is a safety hazard. Do not take extended drives or highway trips until the fault is diagnosed and repaired.
Disabling P0336 in software
RaceTune can permanently disable P0336 — and any other OBD-II diagnostic trouble code — on every ECU family we support. The monitor is disabled inside the ECU itself, so the fault stops being logged: the warning light stays off and the engine never enters limp mode for this code. The change is tied to your exact software version.
Software modifications affect emissions compliance and are not road-legal in many jurisdictions. RaceTune service files are intended for motorsport, off-road, and export use.
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