P0339: Crank signal timing can be wrong even when pulses are present

P0339 is Ford's intermittent crankshaft-position sensor A result. The published monitor looks beyond whether a crank signal exists: it checks the sequence and timing of the teeth represented by that signal.

Pulse presence is not enough

Ford lists an incorrect tooth count after recognition of the missing tooth, implausible tooth timing and a missing-tooth feature in the wrong expected position as malfunction evidence. A waveform can therefore contain pulses yet still fail the pattern checks.

The same page gives a separate P0335 criterion for a missing crank signal while camshaft information indicates engine rotation. That distinction prevents a simple “signal present” observation from being used to dismiss P0339.

Capture the pattern under an enabled condition

The cited check is continuous with an engine-speed entry condition of 500 rpm and a monitoring duration below five seconds. Preserve the relationship between ordinary teeth, the reference gap and the cam signal when investigating an intermittent event. The source does not specify a universal sensor voltage or tooth-wheel geometry for every engine.

The printed timing statement combines time terminology with speed values, so this article does not convert it into a guessed oscilloscope limit. Use the matching engine's reference waveform and diagnostic procedure for numerical interpretation. Verification should establish a consistent, correctly phased pattern while the monitor runs; the code alone cannot identify whether the cause is the sensor, circuit, target or another vehicle-specific issue.

Source and applicability

This explanation covers the cited Ford monitor variants, not every vehicle displaying this code. Match the engine, sensor architecture and calibration before applying numerical limits.

Ford OBD summary, PDF page 131.