How to Test the Position Sensor

Crankshaft (P0336, P0337, P0338, P0339)

July 21, 2012
Updated: November 04, 2014
by Abraham Torres-Arredondo
94

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The Crank Position Sensor of the 4.3L, 5.0L engines, and

The GM 5.7L can be easily tested using only a multimeter.
DC Volts function (Direct Current).
If the Crankshaft Sensor has already failed (or broken), this article will show you how to
try it.
Many have been asking if this Crank Sensor can be tested with a simple
resistance test (Ohms) and the answer is: no. The Position Sensor of
The crankshaft of these engines is a Hall Effect type sensor that cannot be tested.
in this way.
Well... the test of the Crank Sensor that you will learn here
It is a test that will give you a result of maximum accuracy. You will be able to say with
accuracy that the Crankshaft Position Sensor is no longer working or
is working correctly and without using any expensive diagnostic equipment or
exotic.
Content of this tutorial at first glance:
Important Suggestions.
Symptoms When the Crankshaft Sensor Fails.
How the Crankshaft Position Sensor Works.
TEST 1: Checking the Crank Signal.
TEST 2: Checking Power Supply.
TEST 3: Checking Ground Power Supply.

You can find this tutorial in English here:How to Test the Crank Sensor
(GM 4.3L, 5.0L, 5.7L)(entroubleshootmyvehicle.com).

Important Suggestions
Suggestion 1: The Crank Sensor test requires that you
revolution the engine manually. When performing the test, do not use the Engine of
Start to revolutionize the Engine. Using the Starter Motor will make the
The multimeter gives you an unreliable result.
Suggestion 2: You need to deactivate the Fuel Injection System (like
caution) before carrying out the Crankshaft Position Sensor test.
This is super important! You can deactivate the Injection System
Fuel simply by disconnecting the Injector connection (see the photo)
number 2 in the photo browser below.
Suggestion 3: You can use any type of Multimeter. This can be a
Digital or Analog Multimeter (needle type). But I can tell you that the Multimeter
Digital is the preferred one... as it will respond to changes in the Signal of
Crankshaft sensor with more speed and accuracy.
Suggestion 4: When the Crankshaft Sensor fails, the Ignition Coil stops.
to trigger Spark... so, the first thing you need to check is whether there is or not
there is a spark from the spark plug wires.
If there is a spark firing (even if it's just in a single spark plug wire), the sensor of
The crankshaft is NOT failing.
Symptoms When the Crankshaft Sensor Fails
The most common symptom when the Crankshaft Position Sensor fails
(Sensor Crank) is: the truck starts but does not turn on. In addition to this,
could you see one of the following Codes:
P0336: Operation of the Position Sensor Circuit
Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit Performance
P0337: Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit
Low Frequency (in English Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit Low)
Frequency.
 P0338: Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit
High Frequency (in English Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit High
Frequency).
P0339: Intermittent Problem in the Position Sensor Circuit
Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit
Intermittent.
Other symptoms of a faulty or failing Crankshaft Sensor are:
The fuel injectors do not inject fuel (gasoline).
There is no spark from the Spark in any Spark Plug.
The Ignition Module does not activate the Ignition Coil.
Remember, when the Crank Sensor fails, there will be no spark firing at all.
Spark Plug Wire. If there is a spark firing even in a Spark Plug Wire, the Sensor
Crank is not failing or broken.
How it works
Crankshaft Position Sensor

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The following is a brief explanation of how the Position Sensor works.
Crankshaft (Crank Sensor).
As you should already know... this sensor is of the Hall Effect type that needs a
external Ground and Current source to be able to generate a Signal.
This is what happens when you turn on the faucet and start the engine of
your GM truck with a 4.3L, 5.0L, or 5.7L engine:

1.1
12 Volts and Ground are supplied to the Crankshaft Sensor.
Current through the Circuit identified with the letter A and Ground to
through the Circuit identified with the letter B.
2.2
 The engine starts to rev up. This causes a
gear, which is connected to the front of the Crankshaft (and behind the
The Cover of the Chain of Time starts to turn.
3.3
This gear is positioned right in front of the Sensor.
from the crankshaft and at a distance that almost hits it.

4.4
The teeth of this gear... as they pass through the Sensor of the
Crankshaft position causes the sensor to start to
generate your 5 Volt signal.

This Position Signal is powered to the Computer of the

Electronic Injection through the Circuit identified with the letter
B
5.5
When the tooth (of the gear) is directly beneath the
Sensor, it produces 5 Volts. When the tooth passes the Sensor
completely... this produces 0 Volts.
6.6
The Electronic Injection Computer uses these
pulses of 0 and 5 Volts to start singing and make your
truck starts.
 How to Test the Position Sensor
Crankshaft (P0336, P0337, P0338, P0339)
July 21, 2012
Updated: November 4, 2014
by Abraham Torres-Arredondo
Article Id:94

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TEST 1: Checking the Crank Signal

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The first test we will do is to verify the Position Sensor of the
Crankshaft (Crank Sensor) is generating a correct signal.
The Crankshaft Sensor is located in the Timing Chain Cover of the
Motor. Specifically, it is on the passenger side of the cover at its part
inferior.
You will perform this test with the engine off, but with the key on.
Remember that the fuel injector connector should be
disconnected and that you should not start the Machine with the Starter Motor
to carry out the test.
OK, this is what you need to do:
1.1
Set the Multimeter to its DC Voltage function.
Direct.

2.2
 With the RED probe of the Multimeter and a tool
appropriate (to go through the cable), test the circuit (cable)
identified with the letter C in the photo.

This is the Circuit that feeds the Crank Sensor Signal to the
Electronic Fuel Injection Computer.
3.3
Connect the BLACK probe of the multimeter to a Ground point.
in the Engine or preferably, directly at the Terminal
Negative of the Battery using a Jump Cable.
4.4
Turn the key to the open position but do not start the engine.

5.5
Using the appropriate tool (such as a Ratchet and a Socket),
start revolutionizing the engine by hand.
6.6
If the Crankshaft Sensor is working correctly, it
It should make the Multimeter record a Voltage of 0 and 5.
Volts when the engine is revving.

To give you more specific details: One moment, the Multimeter

it should register 0 Volts (0.1 Volts = 0 Volts), and as you continue
Turning the engine, the Multimeter should register 5 Volts.
You should see the multimeter change from 0 volts to 5 volts.
continuously all the time you are turning the pulley
of the Crankshaft.
OK, let's take a look at the results you got:
CASE 1: The Multimeter recorded a Voltage of 0 and 5 Volts indicated: this
result lets you know that the Crankshaft Sensor is working well. The
Sensor Crank is not the cause of the failure. You do not need to perform the other tests.
in this article.
CASE 2: The Multimeter did NOT register any Signal: check all your
connections and repeat the test. If the indicated voltage is still not registered, this
The result usually indicates that the Crankshaft Sensor is no longer working, BUT not.
always. The next step is to verify and confirm that the Crankshaft Sensor is
receiving Voltage and Ground power supply. If either of these two is missing... the
Crankshaft sensor will not work. For these tests, follow to:TEST 2:
Checking Power Supply.
TEST 2: Checking Power Supply

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You have reached this point because in the testSENSOR CRANK TEST 1has
confirmed that the Crankshaft Sensor is not producing any Signal.
Normally this indicates that the Crank Sensor has already gone bad... but no
Always. It could be that it is lacking either current or ground. In this
test, we will check that the Crankshaft Sensor is receiving current which is
in the form of 12 Volts.
These 12 Volts are supplied to the Crankshaft Position Sensor (Sensor
Crank as soon as the ignition switch key is turned on.
So, this is what you need to do:
1.1
With the multimeter set to DC Volts (Current
Direct.

2.2
With the RED Tester of the Multimeter, test the cable (circuit)
identified with the letter A in the photo.

3.3
With the BLACK Prober of the Multimeter, touch the Terminal
Negative of the Battery.
4.4
Ask your assistant to turn the key to its open position but
without starting or turning on the engine.
 5.5
The multimeter should read 12 volts DC (Direct Current).
OK, let's take a look at the results you obtained:
CASE 1: The multimeter registered 12 Volts: this result confirms that
The Crankshaft Sensor is indeed receiving power supply.
test, it is to verify that the Sensor is receiving ground power. Continue
SENSOR CRANK TEST 3.
CASE 2: The Multimeter registered 0 Volts: check all your connections and repeat
the test. If 12 Volts are still not being registered... this eliminates the Crank Sensor
as the cause of the problem, because without this Voltage, the Crankshaft Sensor does not
it will work.
Finding the cause of why this voltage is missing will solve the problem.
with the Crankshaft Sensor.
 How to Test the Position Sensor
Crankshaft (P0336, P0337, P0338, P0339)
July 21, 2012
Updated: November 04, 2014
by Abraham Torres-Arredondo
94

. Page 1
. Page 2
. Page 3

TEST 3: Checking Ground Power

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Up to this point, you have confirmed that the Crankshaft Position Sensor
(Sensor Crank) is not generating a signal and you have also confirmed that if
It is receiving 12 volts. Now we just need to check the ground circuit.
Sensor Crank.
You can use a Multimeter or a 12 Volt Test Lamp to perform
this test (although the following instructions assume you will be using a
Multimeter). Take all necessary precautions to prevent a short circuit.
12 Volt current circuit; with this circuit, you will burn the Computer.
So, this is what you need to do:
1.1
With the Multimeter set to DC Volts (Current
Direct.

2.2
With the BLACK Probe of the Multimeter, test the cable
(circuit) identified with the letter B in the photo.
 3.3
With the RED Probe of the Multimeter, touch the Positive Terminal
from the Battery.

4.4
Ask your assistant to turn the key to its open position but
without starting or turning on the engine.

5.5
The Multimeter should read 12 Volts DC (Direct Current).
Okay, let's take a look at the results you got:
CASE 1: The Multimeter registered 12 Volts: this result tells you that the Sensor
The Crankshaft does have Ground. Replace the Crankshaft Position Sensor.
Here is why: If the Crankshaft Sensor is receiving power from
Current (11 to 12 Volts) and has a ground path.. this has to produce a
Position Signal. Since you haven't done it, you can confidently conclude that
it has already gone bad.
CASE 2: The Multimeter registered 0 Volts: check all your connections and repeat
the test. If the indicated voltage is still not recorded... you can conclude that the
Crankshaft Position Sensor is not the cause of the problem, as without a
Send to Ground, the Crankshaft Sensor will not work.
Finding the cause of why this Earth is missing will solve the problem with
the Crank Sensor.