GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptors

DTC P0335: Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Circuit

DTC P0336: Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Performance

DTC P0337: Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Circuit Low Duty Cycle

DTC P0338: Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Circuit High Duty Cycle

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

CKP Sensor Signal

P0335

P0335

P0335

P0336

Low Reference

--

P0335

P0335, P0338

P0336

Shielded Ground

--

--

--

P0336

Circuit/System Description

The crankshaft position (CKP) sensor signal indicates the crankshaft speed and position. The CKP sensor produces an AC voltage of different amplitude and frequency. The frequency depends on the velocity of the crankshaft, and the AC voltage output depends on the crankshaft position and battery voltage. The CKP sensor works in conjunction with a 58X reluctor wheel attached to the crankshaft. The engine control module (ECM) can synchronize the ignition timing, fuel injector timing, and spark knock control based on the CKP and the camshaft position (CMP) sensor inputs. The CKP sensor is also used to detect misfire and tachometer display. The CKP sensor circuits are connected directly to the ECM. The circuits between the CKP sensor and the ECM consist of the following circuits:

    • The signal
    • The low reference
    • The shielded ground

Conditions for Running the DTC

P0335

    • The engine is cranking or running.
    • The ECM has detected greater than 8 camshaft revolutions.
    •  The DTC runs continuously once the above conditions are met.

P0336

    • The engine is cranking or operating.
    • The ECM has not detected a reverse turn in the engine revolutions.
    •  The DTC runs continuously once the above conditions are met.

P0337

    • The engine is cranking or running.
    • The idle speed is 50 RPM greater than desired idle speed.
    •  The DTC runs continuously once the above conditions are met.

P0338

    • The engine is cranking or running.
    • The vehicle speed is less than 1 km/h (0 mph) or greater than 25 km/h (15 mph).
    •  The DTC runs continuously once the above conditions are met.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

P0335

    • The ECM does not detect a signal from the CKP sensor.
         OR
    • The ECM detects a CKP signal with out reference pulse for greater than 10 revolutions.

P0336

    • The ECM detects a 25 RPM engine speed fluctuation 10 or greater times during an ignition cycle.
        OR
    • The ECM detects 1,100 or greater interruptions in the engine speed signal during an ignition cycle.

P0337

The ECM detects 215 or greater interruptions in the engine speed signal during an ignition cycle.

P0338

The ECM detects 215 or greater interruptions in the engine speed signal during an ignition cycle.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

DTCs P0335, P0336, P0337, and P0338 are Type A DTCs.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

DTCs P0335, P0336, P0337, and P0338 are Type A DTCs.

Diagnostic Aids

The following conditions could also set the DTCs:

    • Physical damage to the CKP sensor or the reluctor wheel
    • Excessive play or looseness of the CKP sensor or the reluctor wheel
    •  Improper installation of the CKP sensor or the reluctor wheel
    • Foreign material passing between the CKP sensor and the reluctor wheel
    • Excessive air gap between the CKP sensor and the reluctor wheel
    • The ECM uses the camshaft position sensor to determine engine speed and position when there is a CKP sensor condition.
    • The engine will operate with a CKP sensor condition only if the ECM has stored the learned reference position of the camshafts in memory. With a crankshaft position sensor condition the engine will go into a limp home mode after a hard restart. The ECM then calculates engine speed from one of the camshaft position sensors. During a limp home mode, DTC P0324 may set and should be ignored.
    • An intermittent condition in the camshaft position (CMP) sensor circuits can cause a CKP DTC to set. Inspect the CMP sensor, harness connections, and related wiring, if you suspect this condition.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Electronic Ignition (EI) System Description

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Attempt to start the engine, observe the DTC information with a scan tool. DTCs P0335, P0336, P0337, and P0338 should not set.
  2. Move related harnesses/connectors of the CKP sensor and verify the engine does not stumble, stall, or change engine speed.
  3. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC to verify the DTC does not reset. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data.

Circuit/System Testing

    Important: If the CKP sensor lead is damaged in any way, replace the CKP sensor.

  1. Ignition OFF, and the MAIN fuse removed, disconnect the harness connector at the CKP sensor.
  2. Ignition OFF, test for 5 ohms of resistance between the ground shield circuit terminal 3 and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, repair the open/high resistance.
  4. Install the MAIN fuse. Ignition ON, test for 2-3 volts between the signal circuit terminal 1 and the low reference circuit terminal 2.
  5. If less than the specified range, test the applicable circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
    If greater than the specified range, test the applicable circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  6. Disconnect the harness connectors of the ECM.
  7. The DMM should display OL between all of the following circuits:
  8. • The signal circuit and the low reference circuit
    • The signal circuit and the ground shield circuit
    • The low reference circuit and the ground shield circuit
    If continuity exists between any of the circuits, repair the short between those circuits.
  9. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the CKP sensor.

Component Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the CKP sensor.
  2. Important: If the CKP sensor lead is damaged in any way, replace the CKP sensor.

  3. Test for 500-700 ohms between the signal terminal 1 and low reference terminal 2.
  4. If not within the specified range, replace the CKP sensor.
  5. Set the DMM to the AC voltage scale.
  6. Engine cranking, test for greater than 1.3 ACV between the signal terminal 1 and low reference terminal 2.
  7. If less than the specified range, replace the CKP sensor.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Crankshaft Position Sensor Replacement
    •  Control Module References for engine control module replacement, setup, and programming