OBD-II Diagnostic Trouble Code
P0336 — Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance
P0336 means the crankshaft position sensor A signal is present but does not make sense, such as missing or extra teeth, an irregular pattern, or poor agreement with the camshaft signal. The ECM sees a signal, but its quality or timing is out of the expected range.
Severity 4/5
Truck-relevant
Stop within 50 mi
Severity
Stop within 50 mi
Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance
Code
P0336
Category
Powertrain
Subsystem
Ignition
Truck-relevant
Yes
What this means for truckers
P0336 (Crankshaft Position Sensor A Range/Performance) — CKP signal coming in but values wrong. Damaged tone ring or sensor drift.
Before you replace parts — try this first
P0336 on the Ignition system is most often crankshaft sensor with a weak or intermittent signal — not a dead part. On commercial diesels especially, work these in order before spending money on parts:
- Confirm the symptoms. Match what your truck is doing to the Symptoms section below. If the code is set but the symptoms are not there, clear the code and re-test after a drive cycle — it may not return.
- Clean and dry the sensor connector. Water, road salt, or oil seeping into a connector is the #1 fake sensor failure. Disconnect, look for green corrosion or moisture, spray with electrical contact cleaner, dry, reseat. Many faults clear here for $0.
- Inspect the wiring harness. Trace the wire from the sensor toward the ECM — look for chafing against the engine block, melted insulation near the turbo or exhaust, or pinch points where a clamp has rubbed through.
- Test the sensor before swapping it. Most Common Causes (below) list the expected voltage or resistance range — a $20 multimeter saves a $300 sensor swap that does not fix the problem.
- Only then, replace the part. Use the OEM or a tier-1 aftermarket. Cheap sensors throw the same code in two weeks.
Symptoms
Intermittent stalling, hesitation, misfires or a hard start, often when hot or over bumps. The tachometer may jump. Some engines go into limp or derate mode. In many cases the engine runs fine between events.
Common causes
- CommonCrankshaft sensor with a weak or intermittent signal ($150–$500)
- OccasionalDamaged or loose tone wheel or reluctor ring, or metal debris on it ($200–$2500)
- OccasionalElectrical noise from poorly routed wiring, a bad shield or aftermarket electrical equipment ($100–$500)
- OccasionalIncorrect sensor air gap or a loose sensor mount ($100–$350)
- RareTiming problem between crank and cam (jumped belt or chain, or gear issue on diesels) ($800–$4000)
How to fix
Scope the crank signal (and cam signal together) to look for missing, extra or distorted teeth
When to use: First step to find the pattern
Remove and inspect the sensor and tone wheel for damage, debris and correct air gap
When to use: When the scope shows dropouts or irregular teeth
Reroute the harness away from high-current wires and repair any damaged shield or ground
When to use: When the signal shows noise spikes
Verify mechanical crank-to-cam timing
When to use: When the crank and cam signals are out of correlation
Affects most
No specific vehicle pattern found in our complaint database. This code can appear on any vehicle that supports OBD-II diagnostics.
Related
- → Browse all DTC trouble codes
- → Decode a VIN to check codes for your truck
- → Owner-operator maintenance guides
- → P0300 — Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
- → P0301 — Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected
- → P0302 — Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
- → P0303 — Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected
- → P0304 — Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with code P0336?
Drive with caution. P0336 is severity 4 — stop within ~50 miles. Most commercial diesel codes at this severity (turbo, fuel rail, transmission solenoid) can damage adjacent expensive components if left unrepaired. Get to a service location before highway-speed loads.
How much does it cost to fix P0336 on a commercial truck?
Total repair cost ranges $100–$4000 depending on the root cause. The cheapest fix is usually the first one listed below — Crankshaft sensor with a weak or intermittent signal — which is also the most common. On commercial trucks the cost is usually higher than passenger vehicles due to part availability and shop labor rates ($120–185/hour at most truck shops, vs $90–130 at general auto shops). DIY-capable fixes (sensors, hoses, filters) are at the low end; major component replacements (turbo actuator, high-pressure fuel pump, transmission solenoid pack) are at the high end. Always diagnose with a scan tool BEFORE replacing parts — guessing wrong on a $1,500 turbo actuator when the actual issue was a $30 boost hose is a common expensive mistake.
Will P0336 fail a DOT inspection?
P0336 is generally not a direct DOT inspection fail item by itself. Inspectors focus on safety-critical systems (brakes, steering, tires, lights, hours-of-service). However, the check engine light alone can trigger additional inspection scrutiny. Best practice: fix the code and clear it before a planned inspection.
What's the difference between P0336 and related codes?
P0336 is closely related to: P0300 (Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0301 (Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected), P0302 (Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected), P0303 (Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected). These codes share the same subsystem (ignition) and often appear together. If you see this code, scan for the full code list — fixing the root cause usually clears multiple companion codes at once. If only P0336 is set without the companions, the issue is more isolated.
How do I prevent P0336 from coming back after a repair?
For P0336 (Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance), prevention centers on the ignition system. Use OEM-spec injectors and spark plugs (gas). Address fuel quality issues immediately — bad fuel kills injectors. Cylinder balance test annually for early warning.