P0335: Crankshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Malfunction
Critical SeverityNot safe to driveIgnition
P0335 means the engine control unit is not receiving a valid signal from the crankshaft position sensor. This sensor tells the ECU where the crankshaft is in its rotation, which is essential for fuel injection and ignition timing. Without it, the engine may not start or may stall unexpectedly.
What does P0335 mean?
P0335 means the engine control unit is not receiving a valid signal from the crankshaft position sensor. This sensor tells the ECU where the crankshaft is in its rotation, which is essential for fuel injection and ignition timing. Without it, the engine may not start or may stall unexpectedly.
P0335 is a ignition-related diagnostic trouble code classified as critical severity. When your vehicle's ECU detects this condition, it stores P0335 and illuminates the check engine light.
What are the symptoms of P0335?
If your vehicle has triggered P0335, you may notice one or more of these symptoms:
Engine cranks but will not start
Intermittent stalling, especially when warm
Check engine light on
Engine cuts out suddenly while driving
Rough running or hesitation
Tachometer drops to zero or behaves erratically
What causes P0335?
Here are the most common causes of P0335, ranked by how likely they are to be the culprit:
highFailed crankshaft position sensor
mediumDamaged or corroded wiring to the sensor
mediumLoose or dirty sensor connector
lowDamaged reluctor ring (tone wheel) on the crankshaft
lowECU fault (rare)
Is it safe to drive with P0335?
No - address this immediately. A faulty crankshaft position sensor can cause the engine to stall without warning, including at motorway speeds. The engine may also refuse to start. Do not drive until this is resolved.
How do you diagnose P0335?
Follow these steps to pinpoint the root cause of P0335:
Connect a scanner and check for the P0335 code along with any companion codes such as P0336 (range/performance) or P0340 (camshaft sensor)
Inspect the crankshaft position sensor connector for corrosion, oil contamination, or loose pins. Clean and re-seat the connector
Test the sensor output with a multimeter. For a Hall-effect sensor, check for 5V reference, ground, and signal. For a magnetic sensor, measure resistance (typically 200-2000 ohms depending on the make)
Inspect the wiring harness from the sensor to the ECU for chafing, breaks, or heat damage. Pay attention to areas near the exhaust
If the sensor and wiring test good, inspect the reluctor ring on the crankshaft pulley for missing teeth, cracks, or debris
How much does P0335 cost to fix?
Repair costs for P0335 vary depending on the root cause and your vehicle. Here are typical estimates:
Repair
Parts Cost
Labor Cost
Total Estimate
DIY Difficulty
Replace crankshaft position sensor
€20–€100
€50–€200
€70–€300
Moderate
Repair wiring harness to sensor
€10–€50
€60–€180
€70–€230
Moderate
Replace reluctor ring (tone wheel)
€30–€120
€200–€600
€230–€720
Professional
Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
P0335 on specific vehicles
P0335 behaves differently depending on your vehicle. Select your car below for model-specific causes, known issues, and adjusted cost estimates:
P0335 on Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Golf • 2003-2024
On the 1.9 TDI (ALH/BEW) and 2.0 TDI (BKD/CBDB) engines, the crankshaft position sensor is located on the gearbox bellhousing. Oil leaks from the rear main seal can contaminate the sensor. The EA888 petrol engine sensor is more accessible on the front of the block.
What causes P0335 on a Volkswagen Golf?
Volkswagen GolfOil contamination from rear main seal leak on TDI engines
Volkswagen GolfWiring chafe near exhaust manifold on EA888 engines
P0335 repair cost for Volkswagen Golf
Estimated costs for Volkswagen Golf ownersadjusted higher than average due to Volkswagen-specific parts pricing
Repair
Parts Cost
Labor Cost
Total Estimate
DIY Difficulty
Replace crankshaft position sensor
€22–€110
€55–€220
€77–€330
Moderate
Repair wiring harness to sensor
€11–€55
€66–€198
€77–€253
Moderate
Replace reluctor ring (tone wheel)
€33–€132
€220–€660
€253–€792
Professional
Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
P0335 on BMW 3 Series
BMW 3 Series • 2005-2024
The N46 and N52 engines have the crankshaft sensor at the rear of the block near the flywheel, requiring access from below. On the N47 diesel, the sensor can fail due to oil contamination from the infamous timing chain oil leak. Replacement is straightforward once accessed.
What causes P0335 on a BMW 3 Series?
BMW 3 SeriesSensor contamination from oil leaks on N47 diesel
BMW 3 SeriesHeat-related sensor failure on N52 petrol engines
P0335 repair cost for BMW 3 Series
Estimated costs for BMW 3 Series ownersadjusted higher than average due to BMW-specific parts pricing
Repair
Parts Cost
Labor Cost
Total Estimate
DIY Difficulty
Replace crankshaft position sensor
€26–€130
€65–€260
€91–€390
Moderate
Repair wiring harness to sensor
€13–€65
€78–€234
€91–€299
Moderate
Replace reluctor ring (tone wheel)
€39–€156
€260–€780
€299–€936
Professional
Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
P0335 on Renault Clio
Renault Clio • 2005-2024
The 1.5 dCi (K9K) engine is one of the most common engines to trigger P0335 in Europe. The sensor is located on the gearbox side of the engine block and is prone to connector corrosion in wet climates. Renault uses a Hall-effect type sensor that requires a 5V reference.
What causes P0335 on a Renault Clio?
Renault ClioConnector corrosion on K9K 1.5 dCi engines
Renault ClioSensor failure due to heat cycling on high-mileage vehicles
P0335 repair cost for Renault Clio
Estimated costs for Renault Clio ownersadjusted lower than average due to Renault-specific parts pricing
Repair
Parts Cost
Labor Cost
Total Estimate
DIY Difficulty
Replace crankshaft position sensor
€18–€90
€45–€180
€63–€270
Moderate
Repair wiring harness to sensor
€9–€45
€54–€162
€63–€207
Moderate
Replace reluctor ring (tone wheel)
€27–€108
€180–€540
€207–€648
Professional
Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
P0335 on Ford Focus
Ford Focus • 2005-2022
On the 1.6 TDCi (DV6) and 1.8 TDCi engines, the crankshaft sensor is mounted low on the engine block. Road debris and water ingress through the wheel arch can damage the wiring. The 1.0 EcoBoost sensor is more protected but can fail from heat cycling.
What causes P0335 on a Ford Focus?
Ford FocusWater ingress and wiring damage on 1.6/1.8 TDCi
Ford FocusSensor heat failure on 1.0 EcoBoost
Related diagnostic codes
These codes are often seen alongside P0335 or indicate related issues:
Can a bad crankshaft position sensor cause a no-start?
Yes. The crankshaft position sensor provides the primary signal that tells the ECU when to fire the spark plugs and injectors. Without this signal, most engines will crank but refuse to start entirely.
What does the crankshaft position sensor do?
It monitors the rotational speed and position of the crankshaft using a toothed reluctor ring. The ECU uses this data to precisely time fuel injection and ignition events. It is one of the most critical engine sensors.
Why does my car stall when warm with P0335?
Heat-related stalling is a classic symptom of a failing crankshaft position sensor. As the sensor heats up, internal components expand and lose their ability to generate a clean signal. The engine often restarts after cooling down.
How much does it cost to replace a crankshaft position sensor?
The sensor itself typically costs 20 to 100 EUR. Labour ranges from 50 to 200 EUR depending on the sensor location. On many vehicles it is accessible from underneath or behind the engine, making it a straightforward replacement.
Can I replace the crankshaft position sensor myself?
On many cars it is a moderate DIY job. The sensor is usually held in by one or two bolts. The challenge is access, as it is often located low on the engine block near the starter or behind the crankshaft pulley. You will need a jack and possibly a socket extension.
