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Starts then stalls

Tiny
DONOVANK
  • MEMBER
  • 1990 TOYOTA CAMRY
For the last 8 weeks I have had a starting issue with my car. I put the key in, I turn it to start, she starts. Then dies. All lights come on the dash and no engine.I would turn the key again. And she would start just fine and no driveablity issues. This normally only happened in the mornings. I decided to have the fule filter replaced, but that didn't seem to solve the issue. Over the last 8 weeks it's gotten progressively worse. I have taken her in and they scanned the computer and got nothing. EGR valve is working fine. I have done a Lucus treatment, that hasn't changed anything. Now it takes three or more times to start her up EVERY time I go to start her. And sometimes if I don't let her warm up to the halfway mark on the temp gage, when I drive her she will do the whole turn off thing or try to. Normally if I pump the gass she works fine. Took her into a shop, they say fuel pump and want bucks for it. Called a few other places. They aren't convinced.

Car: 1990 Camry, 4 cylinder, 2.0 EFI engine.
New Parts (replaced in the last year):
Timing Belt
Water Pump
Muffler
Fuel Filter
EGR moduel
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Thursday, September 27th, 2007 AT 8:48 PM

68 Replies

Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Have you tried to remove and clean idle air control valve
95 % its getting stuck

This guide will help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-stalls

Please run down this guide and report back.

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Thursday, September 27th, 2007 AT 8:58 PM
Tiny
BUZZSAW
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,198 POSTS
The cold start injector is faulty, it hooks right into the intake manifold, gives extra fuel on cold starts
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Monday, October 1st, 2007 AT 4:51 AM
Tiny
HAMMERJJ
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
  • 1990 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 232,500 MILES
Was traveling about 45 mph, up a 20 % grade and engine died and only sputterd briefly after waiting for the engine to cool down and on a level terrain re-start.

Towed back home and engine restarted and ran smoothly for few minutes until I shut down.

12 hrs latertried to restart- engine would turn over but no signs of combustion.

Background Info: @ 230,000 engine frequently stalled at intersections and electronically contolled overdrive was sporadic - replaced IAC, cleaned EGR, replaced TPS w/multimeter and replaced a speed control sensor on the tranny.

Finally in April 09 the car has performed like it was brand new!

Now in June it died driving up this hill.

Thoughts - fuel system or electrical?
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Do below to determine if its fuel or spark problem

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors- Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HAMMERJJ
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Thanks Rasmataz for your kind assistance!

Indeed I had no spark and traced voltage and it stopped at distributor output.

Replaced the distributor and the car started right up worked like a champ and was treated to a very nice spunky 1 hr test run.

Tried to use the car the very next morning and again it would not start except for a sputter here and there.

Tried an OBD 1 and could not retrive any codes!

PS For a good measure I replaced the igniter, fuel pump and filter.

Perlexed
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Tried an OBD 1 and could not retrive any codes! Jumper the Te-1 to E-1 terminal in the check connector read the flashes.

Are you still getting spark if not -read the following

The computer uses the Ne and G signals from the distributor-the comp has to get the Igt signal in order for it to tell the ignitor to fire the coil at which time an Igf signal goes back to the computer indicating combustion has occured and repeat this process. Inspect the wirng/connectors all the way to computer if okay could be coming from the computer itself.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HAMMERJJ
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Again thanks for the diagnostic tips!

Hammerjj
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GREENCHEVYMALIBU
  • MEMBER
  • 230 POSTS
  • 1990 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 197,000 MILES
My 1990 Camry starts(sometimes it takes a few cranks) then after a few seconds it will die. Like it has run out of gas. Sometimes I can get it to stay running. It doesn't idle well when it does and if I push on the gas pedal it doesn't change anything like it isn't pushing more fuel just stays the same then it will eventually die. It has a new fuel pump the old one was all gummed up. Has a new fuel pump relay. Old one didn't engage fuel pump when cranking engine. Could it be the fuel pressure regulator? What can I test?
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HAMMERJJ
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Rasmatz

Again thanks

If I end up getting a used ECM is there a need to re-program the computer? If so at a dealer?

Or disconnect power, install, reconnect and then energize the system for starting?
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GREENCHEVYMALIBU
  • MEMBER
  • 230 POSTS
I also replaced the fuel filter.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Just remove the EFI fuse for 10secs
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GREENCHEVYMALIBU
  • MEMBER
  • 230 POSTS
Could it be the cold start injector?
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HAMMERJJ
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Now a really dumb question, I can't locate the ECM. Haynes manual says behind the glove box or near center console.

Behind glove box I see only I think 4-way flasher and duct work for air delivery.

In the center console region, more duct work for heating and air delivery.

Is this thing staring me in the face? Size wise I'm looking for something the size of a desk top computer hard drive, correct?
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GREENCHEVYMALIBU
  • MEMBER
  • 230 POSTS
I took the spark plugs out to see if they were getting fuel9wet) and out the six two of the spark plugs were dry. The spark plug in cylinder 1 was dry and cylinder 4 spark plug was dry. So I'm assuming either the injectors are clogged or have failed. Is the a way I can test them? Can I test the voltage that is going to the injector pigtails?
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HAMMERJJ
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Now a really dumb question, I can't locate the ECM. Haynes manual says behind the glove box or near center console.

Behind glove box I see only I think 4-way flasher and duct work for air delivery.

In the center console region, more duct work for heating and air delivery.

Is this thing staring me in the face? Size wise I'm looking for something the size of a desk top computer hard drive, correct?
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Basics first.

Check for compression to verify timing is correct.

Fuel pressure is critical whether you have a new fuel pump or not.

Spark is last. It has to be verifed.

One of these is missing causing your issue.

Roy
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
IVER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1990 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
The car starts fine but will die after a few seconds. I have to wait a couple of hours to start the car then I can drive it and it runs fine. When I shut it off and try to restart it it wont stay running, then I have to wait another couple of hours to drive it again.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
HI there,

You will have to have a scan done to check for any set fault codes, and when it wont start you will have to check for spark, fuel pressure and injection pulse, as it will normally be one of these that has failed.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
The computer/ ECU is located under the center of instrument panel behind console


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_ecu_5.jpg

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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GREENCHEVYMALIBU
  • MEMBER
  • 230 POSTS
Checked compression it's fine. I checked timing it's fine. Im assuming it's fuel because 2 of my spark plugs were dry and when it starts u can not keep it running by pushing the gas pedal. Also when it starts if u put ur foot on gas it will die.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)

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