The P0335 code on a Dodge means the PCM is missing the crankshaft position sensor’s signal — the heartbeat input that triggers every spark and every injector pulse. P0339 is the intermittent version: the signal cuts out and returns, which is why the engine dies without warning and restarts later as if nothing happened. Lose this signal completely and a Dodge doesn’t limp — it cranks and never fires. The fix is usually the sensor itself ($25–$90 part), but on a Dodge there are two local complications: the sensor often lives in the hot bellhousing area, and many models need a crank relearn with a scan tool after replacement before the engine runs clean again.
What Do P0335 and P0339 Mean on a Dodge?
The crankshaft position sensor (CKP) reads a toothed ring on the crank — the tone wheel — and tells the PCM exactly how fast the engine is spinning and where the pistons are. It is the master timing signal: the camshaft sensor refines it, but nothing happens without it. No crank signal means the PCM won’t fire a single coil or injector.
- P0335 — Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction: the signal is missing or electrically implausible.
- P0339 — the same circuit, intermittent: the signal drops momentarily and recovers. This is the random-stall code.
- Frequent companions: P0340/P0344 (the camshaft sensor’s equivalents — see our P0340/P0344 guide), P0016/P0017 (cam-crank correlation), and misfire codes set as collateral while the signal flickers.
The split matters because of what each does to the car. A dead cam sensor often leaves a Dodge drivable; a dead crank sensor does not. That’s why P0335 is one of the classic codes behind a “cranks fine, won’t start” Dodge — and why the 4.7L V8 and 3.7L V6 of the 2000s, whose sensors bake next to the transmission, made this code famous.
Dodge P0335 / P0339 Symptoms
- Cranks but won’t start — strong, healthy cranking with no fire at all: no sputter, no almost-start
- Engine dies abruptly while driving — no shudder or warning, like the key was switched off; restarts minutes later
- Tachometer drops to zero at the moment of the stall, or reads zero while cranking — the single best clue that the crank signal is gone
- Stalls when hot, behaves when cool — the thermal failure pattern, worsening over weeks
- Check engine light with P0335 or P0339 stored, sometimes alongside misfire or cam-sensor codes
Common Causes of P0335 and P0339 on a Dodge
In rough order of likelihood:
- A failing crankshaft position sensor — on many Dodge engines it sits in the bellhousing area at the back of the block, soaking in engine and transmission heat. Thermal death is gradual: intermittent P0339 episodes first, hard P0335 failure later.
- Connector and wiring trouble — oil migrating down the harness from a rear-of-engine leak, chafed insulation, or pins spread by a previous repair. The sensor’s low-voltage signal doesn’t tolerate poor connections.
- Low system voltage — weak batteries and dying alternators distort the signal and log P0335/P0339 as bystanders. If the code arrived with dimming lights or jump-start drama, test charging first — our P0562 guide covers the routine.
- A damaged tone wheel or flexplate — missing or clogged teeth on the ring the sensor reads. Rare, but it produces codes that survive any number of new sensors.
- A skipped crank relearn — on many Chrysler/Dodge PCMs, a fresh sensor reads slightly differently than the old one; until a cam/crank variation relearn is run with a scan tool, the PCM may keep flagging P0339 or refuse to close the misfire monitor.
- PCM or reference-voltage faults — least likely; suspect only after the sensor, wiring, and relearn check out.
Cause → Symptom → Fix at a Glance
| Cause | Typical pattern | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Failing crank sensor | Random stalls with tach dropping to zero, then no-start; worse hot | Replace the sensor (OEM/Mopar) |
| Connector / wiring | Stalls over bumps; oil found in the plug; intermittent regardless of temperature | Clean the connector, repair the harness |
| Low voltage | Code set during battery/alternator trouble; no stalls otherwise | Test and fix charging; clear and monitor |
| Tone wheel / flexplate damage | Code returns after new sensors; erratic RPM reading | Inspect the ring; replace the damaged part |
| Skipped crank relearn | P0339 lingers right after a sensor swap; rough running, monitors won’t complete | Run the cam/crank variation relearn with a scan tool |
| PCM / reference voltage | Multiple unrelated sensor codes at once | Professional diagnosis |
How to Diagnose P0335 / P0339 on a Dodge Step by Step
- Pull all codes from all modules. P0335 alone points at the crank circuit; paired with P0340/P0344 it means test both sensors before buying either; paired with P0016/P0017 on a high-mileage engine, think timing chain before sensors.
- Use the tachometer as a free scope. Have someone crank the engine while you watch the tach (or scan-tool RPM). Zero RPM displayed during healthy cranking = the PCM isn’t seeing the crank turn — circuit confirmed without removing anything.
- Check battery and charging voltage before condemning parts: load-test the battery, verify ~13.5–14.5 V running. Low voltage mimics this failure for free.
- Inspect the sensor connector. Look for oil inside the plug, green corrosion, or backed-out pins. On bellhousing-mounted sensors, follow the pigtail up — heat-hardened insulation cracks where it bends.
- Replace the sensor with OEM or Mopar-equivalent. Budget crank sensors are a false economy here — access is awkward on many Dodges (top of the bellhousing on the 4.7/3.7, behind the starter on others), and doing the job twice hurts. A dab of clean oil on the O-ring helps it seat.
- Run the crank relearn. On most 2000s-and-newer Dodges, complete the cam/crank variation relearn with a scanner that supports the procedure — it takes minutes and prevents the lingering-P0339 callback. Some PCMs self-learn after a specific drive cycle, but the tool makes it certain.
- Confirm the repair: clear codes, get the engine fully hot, idle and drive it, and verify nothing returns — the full routine is in our reset guide. If codes return with the engine’s mileage in six figures, revisit the tone wheel and timing chain rather than buying a third sensor.
Dodge P0335 / P0339 Repair Cost
Typical US shop prices (parts + labor) by root cause:
DIY note: the part is cheap, but check the access on your engine before committing — some Dodge crank sensors are a ten-minute job from below, others hide above the bellhousing behind heat shields. Budget for a scan tool that can run the relearn; it turns a “why is it still rough?” weekend into a finished repair.
Is It Safe to Drive a Dodge with P0335 or P0339?
If the engine starts and runs normally and the code hasn’t recurred — especially if it appeared during battery trouble — short trips are reasonable while you test the charging system and order the sensor.
A crank-signal dropout kills the engine instantly and completely — and with it the power steering and brake assist, in whatever lane you happen to occupy. The thermal pattern guarantees the next episode comes sooner. No highways, no traffic, no “it’ll probably make it” until the sensor is replaced, relearned, and verified.
FAQ: Dodge P0335 and P0339 Codes
What does the P0335 code mean on a Dodge?
P0335 means the PCM has lost or distrusts the crankshaft position sensor’s signal — the master timing input that triggers all spark and fuel injection. Without it a Dodge typically cranks strongly but will not start, or dies abruptly while driving. The most common cause is the sensor itself failing from heat, followed by connector and wiring faults; the part usually costs $25–$90.
Why does my Dodge crank but not start with a P0335 code?
Because the PCM refuses to fire coils or injectors without a crank signal — there is nothing to time them against. That is why a crank-sensor no-start feels so clean: healthy, even cranking with no sputter at all, and the tachometer reads zero while the engine spins. A cam-sensor failure often still lets the engine run; a crank-sensor failure does not.
Do I need a relearn after replacing the crankshaft sensor on a Dodge?
On most 2000s-and-newer Dodges, yes — the PCM stores a learned tolerance for the old sensor’s signal, and a fresh sensor reads slightly differently. Until a cam/crank variation relearn is performed with a capable scan tool, the engine may run rough, keep setting P0339, or fail to complete its misfire monitor. Some PCMs self-learn after a specific drive cycle, but running the procedure takes minutes and removes the guesswork.
Can a weak battery cause a P0335 code on a Dodge?
Yes. The crank sensor’s signal is low-voltage, and a weak battery or failing alternator can distort it enough during cranking to log P0335 or P0339 even though the sensor is healthy. If the code appeared alongside slow cranking, dimming lights, or a jump start, load-test the battery and verify charging voltage before buying any parts — it is the cheapest fix on the list.
How much does it cost to fix P0335 or P0339 on a Dodge?
The crankshaft position sensor typically runs $120–$350 installed — the part is only $25–$90, but bellhousing-area access drives the labor on many Dodge engines. Wiring repairs run $100–$300, and a charging-system fix may be all that’s needed if low voltage set the code. The expensive outlier is a damaged tone wheel or flexplate at $500–$1,500, which should be confirmed visually before anyone authorizes it.
Crank and cam codes travel together — if P0340 or P0344 is stored too, read the cam sensor guide next and test the pair before buying either part; and if correlation codes (P0016/P0017) joined them, start with the timing correlation guide.