Runs jerky and won't stay running in drive?

Tiny
REGOR62
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 TOYOTA CAMRY
1991 toyota camry with about 30,000 miles on a 2.5 liter v6 rebuilt engine was running jerky mostly while in drive and stopped, but also while at higher speeds. Now the car will start, seems to idle but when put in drive it quits, or when accelerated in park and then let off the gas it quits. Please help anyone!
Thursday, July 19th, 2007 AT 7:24 AM

17 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
CEL/MIL/SES On?

Try the EGR and fuel pressure check then comeback

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, July 19th, 2007 AT 3:53 PM
Tiny
MAKIAVELLI2011
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 200,000 MILES
I have a 1991 Toyota Camry LE. I am having trouble with it shutting off whenever I stop. It is hesitating to Idle whenever the accelerator is not pressed. What could be the problem?

I have had a mechanic check it before and I think he tried cleaning some component. I am not sure what.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Sounds as if you have an idle control problem
Try and see if you can keep it running by holding the gas peddle keeping the idle higher as you coming to a stop
IF:
It did not stall suspect, idle control need to be cleaned or replaced
If it is stalling, suspect and check tranny and its lock up components
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ERIZELM
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 154,000 MILES
I just changed my alternator for the second time and had my battery checked and it's great. But my car still keeps dying and I have no idea why. Help
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,879 POSTS
Dying when? After the battery runs down in an hour or two, or just suddenly while you're driving? What do you have to do to get the engine started again? Have you measured the battery voltage to see if it's run down? If so, what is that voltage?

Just because the generator is there and spinning, it won't produce any output unless it has a small input current to generate an electromagnetic field. Start by checking for a blown fuse. That could be in the fuse box under the hood or the one inside the car. Does the "battery" light turn on?
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CINDY MZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1991 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 230,000 MILES
We were told my 91 Camry needed a fuel pump. I replaced it, and the car starts and only runs for a few seconds. We also replaced the throttle position sensor. If we spray gas in air intake(?) It keeps running and sounds great. Sorry I'm not sure if thats what its called, I am winging this so my husband doesn't junk my car.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check and test the circuit opening relay and the airflow meter
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CINDY MZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks we unhooked the Map sensor, and started it. Went to a pull a parts place, and replaced it for 40.00, runs great now. The Shop that told me my engine was shot, even if they replaced my fuel pump, needs to quit their day job. My engine is great! Wasn't ready to give up on this car.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVID2532
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 155,000 MILES
, putting on about 8k a year.

To start with I do a lot of maintenance on my car regularly. Particularly now that's it up there in age, I have had to change radiator, starter, water pump, belts, plugs, brakes etc. All have been replaced in the last few years.

In the last week, I have had my car stall twice in the same way, it happened when I am leaving a parking spot and I go in reverse to back out, apply brake to switch into drive, and as soon as I switch into drive my engine immediately turns off. I have to turn the key again to restart and it does so.

I have driven the car with O/D on and off and it switches just fine.

The transmission oil is fine both in amount and color. My oil was low which is odd because I just had that replaced a couple months back after I discovered an oil leak (repaired, timing, serptine, cram and crankshaft seals replaced additionally brakes pads, new tire, and alignment). I topped that off with slick 150 and now have the correct amount of oil.

I am wondering is this a pressure plate problem or what should I check next. The only other problem that could be connected is a occasional slight clunking noise when I shift from park to reverse.

There are no warning lights coming on.
Other than those 2 weird stalls, nothing has been abnormal in driving and I have been driving the car daily to work etc since this happened.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi david2532,

Thank you for the donation.

The stalling could be due to the idle control system and I would suggest getting the throttle body and Idle Air Control valve cleaned and idle speed readjusted.

The clunking noise when shifting from park to reverse could be due to bad engine mounts and this would allow the engine to jerk forward when shifting into reverse.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HAMPTON77
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1991 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 87,000 MILES
Recently swapped engines. Everything hooked back up except one grey connector near top of transaxle housing comes out of wiring harness near the starter. It is two leads and has a retainer clip. What is it?. And would it cause the engine to stall when you touch the accelerator? Can't give it gas at all.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hi Hampton77 and TY for the donation

Recheck ignition timing if okay test the throttle position sensor and airflow meter and get back with some results. I don't think that wire will cause it to stall but it still needs to be hooked-up properly where it goes.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GLENN12416
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 TOYOTA CAMRY
Engine Performance problem
1991 Toyota Camry 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 177k miles

I have had problems with my camry stalling after driving it for a while. I have got it towed to the shop and after it sits for a while the car starts. The mechanics cant find anything wrong with it. I have had work done to the electric windows, but they work fine now
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DSPLC
  • MECHANIC
  • 220 POSTS
It might be your igniter and/or your ignition coil. I have a 94 toyota tercel before, same problem, after it sits for a while, engine starts again. This is only maybe.

Igniter below


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/89255_igniter_1.jpg

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+1
Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ICLATTELOVER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 15,100 MILES
My 1991 Toyota Camry has an issue with starting and when it is started, sometimes driving down the highway or even in town, it'll die out. I've been adding fuel injector cleaner as I believe that it's a fuel issue but the mechanics at the Toyota dealership will not believe me. I've had this car now for 14 years and know it quite well. The dealership put it on the diagnostic machine and stated that the engine ran perfectly. Of course it didn't "perform" for them as it does to me. I asked them to keep it a week and drive it around. An employee drove it around and it did it to him 5 times on the same day. They took it back onto the machines and said that they couldn't find a problem as the machine still checks out good. Well, I've been adding fuel injector cleaner every other fuel up and it runs fine since I've started doing this but I know that using fuel injector cleaner is not good for the rings and such. The mechanic refuses to change out the fuel injector stating that according to his readouts, it's not the problem. Can you guide me to resolve this issue before I have to have a ring job done and heaven knows what else? Thanks!
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Have they checked the fuel pressure? If okay could be ignition related problem or computer problem

An employee drove it around and it did it to him 5 times on the same day. This is the time they should have caught the problem and determine if its fuel or spark problem.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RAUL RIZZUTI
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Go ahead and replace al wires with a new set.
Your problem is probably electric
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 10:20 AM (Merged)

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