P0336 Crankshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Range/Performance
P0336 is a generic OBD2 powertrain code. It means “Crankshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Range/Performance” — the same on every make and model, because the definition comes from the SAE J2012 standard rather than from the carmaker.
Ask the AI about P0336 on your car- System
- Powertrain (P)
- Code type
- Generic (SAE)
- Range
- P03xx
- Urgency
- High
What P0336 means
The crankshaft position sensor tells the computer the engine speed and where the pistons are — the signal that ignition and injection are timed from. The computer lost that signal or found a fault in its circuit (P0335), or found it erratic (P0336).
Symptoms
- The engine cranks but won’t start
- Sudden stalling, often when hot, sometimes restarting once it cools
- Misfires or a jumping tachometer
Most likely causes
- A failed sensor — heat-related failures that come and go are typical
- A damaged or oil-soaked connector or wiring
- A damaged reluctor (tone) ring
- The wrong replacement part, or one fitted with too big a gap
What to check first
- Inspect the sensor’s connector and wiring for damage and oil
- Test the sensor’s signal (or its resistance, on older inductive sensors)
- Look at the reluctor ring while the sensor is out
Can I keep driving with P0336?
Limit driving — get it checked promptly
Avoid it if you can. The engine can cut out without warning — in traffic or at speed — and may not restart.
What the wording tells you
“Range/performance” means the signal is electrically valid but doesn’t make sense against what the module expects from the other sensors. That points to a sensor that is dirty, slow or out of calibration — or to a real mechanical problem it is faithfully reporting — more than to the wiring.
“A”: where a car has several identical components, SAE tells them apart with letters. Which physical part is “A” is defined by the manufacturer — check the service information for your car before replacing it.
How P0336 breaks down
Powertrain. Engine, transmission, fuel and emissions — the codes behind the check engine lamp.
Generic code: defined by SAE, the same on every make.
Ignition system & misfire.
The specific fault within this range.
Where to look: Ignition system & misfire
Misfire detection, ignition coils, crankshaft and camshaft position sensors and knock sensors. The engine computer detects misfires from dips in crankshaft speed, so this area often reports a problem that starts elsewhere — in the fuel supply or in compression.
All P03xx codes →Ask the AI about P0336 on your car
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Read and clear P0336 on your iPhone
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Frequently asked
What does P0336 mean?
P0336 is a generic OBD2 powertrain code. It means “Crankshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Range/Performance” — the same on every make and model, because the definition comes from the SAE J2012 standard rather than from the carmaker. The crankshaft position sensor tells the computer the engine speed and where the pistons are — the signal that ignition and injection are timed from. The computer lost that signal or found a fault in its circuit (P0335), or found it erratic (P0336).
Can I drive with P0336?
Avoid it if you can. The engine can cut out without warning — in traffic or at speed — and may not restart.
What causes P0336?
A failed sensor — heat-related failures that come and go are typical; A damaged or oil-soaked connector or wiring; A damaged reluctor (tone) ring; The wrong replacement part, or one fitted with too big a gap.
How do I clear P0336?
Fix the cause first, then clear it with any OBD2 scanner or app. Once the fault is gone the car also clears it on its own: the check engine lamp goes off after the self-test passes on three drive cycles in a row, and the stored code ages out after about 40 warm-ups. Clearing without a repair only hides it for a while — and resets the readiness monitors an emissions inspection looks at.
Is P0336 the same on every car?
Yes. P0336 is a generic SAE J2012 code, so its definition is identical on every make and model. What differs is the cause behind it and the repair procedure, which depend on the engine — that’s why the assistant on this page asks for your car.
Guides
Definitions: the generic SAE J2012 codes from Brimly’s offline dictionary (data version 2026.09). Causes and advice are general guidance for all makes — the service information for your car has the last word.