It is often confused with the camshaft position sensor, which can also fail and cause engine start problems.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of a failed crankshaft position sensor on a Nissan is that the car hesitates to start or stalls after it starts.
In some cases, it may require that you crank the car for a long time to get it to start.
When a crankshaft position sensor fails, your Nissan not only will hesitate to start or may not start at all, but the check engine light will turn on.
If you scan the ECU for fault codes, you will get trouble codes such as P0335, P0340, or even P0725.
This problem is common on Nissan Altimas but may affect multiple Nissan vehicles, including Nissan Quest, Altima, Sentra, Maxima, 370z, Navara, Rogue, Murano, NV200, Micra, Sunny, Qashqai, and Serena.
Below you will find instructions on how to replace the crankshaft position sensor on a Nissan 3.5L V6 engine.
What you will need
- Mechanic Tool Set
- 10mm socket
- Screwdrivers
- Extension
- Ratchet
- Vehicle Ramps
- Jack Stands
Procedure
Follow these instructions to remove and replace the crankshaft position sensor on a Nissan.
- Jack up the Nissan to access the bottom of the engine. You can use jack and jack stands or ramps, which is easier.
- Secure the vehicle with jack stands.
- Allow the engine to cool down for at least fifteen minutes. Secure the vehicle by placing it in Park. Secure the rear wheels. Place jack stands to support the vehicle.
- Remove the plastic cover from under the engine. It is held in place with several plastic screws.
- Locate the crankshaft position sensor on your Nissan. The crankshaft position sensor is installed on the transmission housing where the transmission attaches to the engine block.
- Press the small tab on the connector and unplug the electrical connector by pulling it away from the sensor.
- Remove the 10 mm bolt.
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Remove the old crankshaft position sensor on your Nissan. Install the new crankshaft position sensor in reverse order.
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Once you tighten the 10 mm bolt, reconnect the electrical connector.
- Reinstall the engine splash shield and lower the vehicle.
If the check engine light is on, use an OBD2 scanner to read the codes and clear them in stored status.
If no other codes are present, the check engine light should reset on its own within a few driving cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the crankshaft position sensor located on a Nissan?
Location of Nissan crankshaft position sensor.
How to check if the Nissan crankshaft position sensor is bad?
One the most common ways to verify that the crankshaft position sensor on a Nissan is bad is to read the ECU's fault codes. This is a straightforward procedure and requires an OBD2 code reader.
- Plugin your scanner into the OBD2 port under the dashboard.
- Turn of ignition.
- Read codes from the ECU.
- Confirm that a code related to the crankshaft position sensor circuit is present.
Where to buy a cheap Nissan crankshaft position sensor?
Nissan crankshaft position sensors vary between model years. To find a cheap Nissan crankshaft position sensor, check prices here and here on eBay. Filter results by year and model to find the right crankshaft position sensor for your Nissan.
Nissan Crankshaft Position Sensor Part NumbersApplicationsInfinitiInfiniti
- 2.5L 4 Cylinder Engine
- Part Number: 235-91203
- Applicaitons: 2002-2006 Nissan Frontier, Altima, Sentra
- 3.0L Engine
- Part Number: CKP2085 PC165 714958 SS1013911B1 SS10139 J5T10271 5S1782 2373135U11 2373135U10 2373135U00 2132395 1800319
- Applications: Nissan Maxima, Infiniti I30
- 3.0 or 3.5 V6 Engine
- Part Number: 23731-31U11 PC89 2373131U10 23731-31U10 373131U11 S10113 SU4315
- Applications: Nissan Maxima 1995-2001, Pathfinder 2001-2002, Infiniti QX4 2000-2003, Infiniti I30 1999-2001
- 3.5L V6 Engine
- Part Number: 12799167
- Applications: 2002-2008 Nissan Altima, Maxima, Quest, Infiniti FX35 I35 G35 350z
- 3.5L V6 Engine
- Part Number: 23731-AL60A 23731AL60C / 23731 AL60C PC499 23731 SU6482 23731-AL60C,1236545
- Applications:
- Nissan Altima (2006-2002)
- Nissan Armada (2012-2005)
- Nissan Frontier (2012-2005)
- Nissan Maxima (2008-2002)
- Infiniti FX35 (2008-2003)
- Infiniti G35 (2007-2003)
- Infiniti I35 (2004-2002)
- Infiniti M35 (2008-2006)
- Infiniti QX56 (2010-2004)
- Nissan 350Z (2006-2003)
- Nissan Murano (2007-2003)
- Nissan NV1500 (2012)
- Nissan NV2500 (2012)
- Nissan NV3500 (2012)
- Nissan Pathfinder (2012-2004)
- Nissan Quest (2009-2004)
- Nissan Titan (2012-2004)
- Nissan Xterra (2012-2005)
- 4.0L V6 Engine
- Part Number: 23731EA20C 23731-EA20A 23731-EA20C 23731AE20C 23731EA20A 23731EA20C 23731EA220 23731EA221 3322082Z30 SU7825 5S6314 PC715
- Applications: Nissan Xterra 2005-2014, Nissan pathfinder 2005-2012, Nissan NV3500 NV2500 NV1500 2012-2014, Nissan Frontier 2005-2014
Comments
Error Code P0335 is described as Crankshaft Position Sensor “A” Circuit Malfunction. This means the vehicle's ECM (Electronic Control Module) has not yet detected the crankshaft position sensor during the first second of cranking of the engine.
You can replace just the one that is faulty. It is recommended to replace all at the same time because you could have another one fail in a few months. With that said, it is not required to replace all of them at the same time.
I would not worry about the traction control light, at least not yet. Nissan are known to trigger traction control light when check engine light comes on.
Which means you need to address the fault codes that are triggering the check engine light. Good job for going with OEM part. When it comes to sensors, I strongly recommend going with OEM. I have personally changed a lot of camshaft and other engine sensors with aftermarket only to still have the same issue. Switch to OEM and the problem gets fixed.
As far as the p0335 code goes, it could also be a wiring issue or worst case scenario a faulty ECU. You may have to find a mechanic that can do some diagnostics on those wires. Measure voltage to the sensor etc.
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