Will P0336 cause a no-start?

Eventually, yes. An intermittent signal can turn into no signal. If the engine is already showing hard starts, the sensor replacement is urgent.

Can this cause random misfires?

Yes. An erratic crank signal throws off injector and ignition timing, causing misfires across multiple cylinders simultaneously.

How do I know if it is the sensor or the reluctor ring?

Replace the sensor first since it is far cheaper. If the code returns immediately after a new sensor, the reluctor ring is likely damaged and needs visual inspection.

Codes › P0336

P0336: The crankshaft position sensor signal is intermittent or out of range

Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance

High severityCan you keep driving?

Drive with caution. If the engine is stalling or the car is hard to start, do not drive. An intermittent crank signal can cause sudden stalling without warning, which is dangerous at speed.

What it means

The crankshaft position sensor tells the PCM exactly where each piston is in its rotation at every moment. The computer uses this to fire injectors and ignition coils at the right time. P0336 means the sensor is not being read as absent (that would be P0335) but is producing an intermittent or erratic signal. The PCM expected a specific pulse pattern from the reluctor ring and got something different. Causes range from a damaged reluctor ring on the crankshaft to a sensor that is failing intermittently. An erratic crank signal is one of the most common causes of no-start conditions that get misdiagnosed as fuel pump failure.

Common causes

Failing crankshaft position sensorThe sensor element degrades with heat and age. Intermittent failures often appear when the engine is hot.
Damaged or chipped reluctor ring on the crankshaftA missing tooth or cracked ring produces a gap in the signal pattern that the PCM flags as out of range.
Air gap between sensor and reluctor ring out of specThe sensor must be within a precise distance from the ring. An incorrect gap or wear on the sensor tip causes erratic readings.
Wiring or connector fault on the sensor harnessThe harness near the bottom of the engine block is exposed to oil, heat, and mechanical stress.

What it costs

Crankshaft position sensor replacement$100 to $350 installed
Wiring or connector repair$80 to $250
Reluctor ring replacement (if damaged)$400 to $1,200 due to access labor

Symptoms

Check engine light on, steady or intermittent
Hard starting or extended cranking before it fires
Stalling at idle or under light load
Random misfires across multiple cylinders (P0300)
Engine may run fine between fault events

What to do next

Check the sensor wiring and connector first, especially if the fault is intermittent. Inspect the sensor tip for damage or metal debris from the reluctor ring. Replace the sensor as a first step since it is usually accessible and relatively affordable. If the code returns after a new sensor, a crankshaft scope inspection or reluctor ring inspection is needed.

Lewis logs the crank sensor signal quality over the drive so you can see whether the fault is happening at specific RPMs, temperatures, or load conditions. Download Lewis.

Related codes

FAQ

Will P0336 cause a no-start?: Eventually, yes. An intermittent signal can turn into no signal. If the engine is already showing hard starts, the sensor replacement is urgent.
Can this cause random misfires?: Yes. An erratic crank signal throws off injector and ignition timing, causing misfires across multiple cylinders simultaneously.
How do I know if it is the sensor or the reluctor ring?: Replace the sensor first since it is far cheaper. If the code returns immediately after a new sensor, the reluctor ring is likely damaged and needs visual inspection.