Camry Stops Dead In It`s Tracks! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Linwin · 06-05-2002, 08:37 PM

Hi,
My 90 camry 3S-FE has the awful habit of stopping running at the most inopportune times. Sometimes it simply will not start, but after grining away at it for a couple of minutes it starts right up. It finally did it while a friend was with me, so I got under the hood and checked for spark coming off the #1 plug lead. No spark! Since then I have replaced the acniter, replaced the distributer,with all the internal guts, checked the engine compartment wiring harness, it goes on and on, and I`m getting tired. No abnormal red lights come on when this happens, it always starts after I try to start it for a couple of minutes, it seems to want to do it more after it has set and is cold. Help!

TRD 4Runner · 06-05-2002, 10:03 PM

This seems like you are trying to diagnose the problem by youself.
You can try replacing parts to see if you get lucky...

but, what I would do is bring it into a mechanic shop, tell them to hook it up to the computer and see if any trouble codes pop up...as the car's computer *probably* knows why the engine is stalling...

boroEF · 06-05-2002, 10:52 PM

yea u can check ur ecu for codes.
it should be in the passenger floor kick panel...just remove the carpet and it should be there. there will be an led light that flashes a number of times. count the number of times it flashes. and that will be a code for a specific error. i believe every make is different in the codes, so i only know honda codes...sorry :grin:

Linwin · 06-06-2002, 09:21 AM

Thanks everyone, I`ll try the ECU trip, that should lead to something productive? Again, thanks all.
Linwin

88 LE · 06-06-2002, 10:52 AM

Have you checked the ignition coil? The coil on the 2nd gen Camry's are known to crack and cause all kinds of problems.

To read the error codes from the ECU you need to put the key in and turn it to acc (do not start the engine). Short pins T & E1 on the diagnostic connecter (its under the hood by the drivers side strut tower) with a piece of wire or a paperclip (as long as it conducts). The check engine light will blink.

You read the codes based on the blinks. I believe the Chiltons and Haynes manual has a list of the error codes.

jay bee · 06-06-2002, 11:08 AM

It might be the starter...Cuz when mine went out, I had to keep on trying and trying, then it would just come on after many tries...Got the starter changed and its all good now...

88 LE · 06-06-2002, 11:27 AM

Quote:

On 2002-06-06 12:08, jay bee wrote:
It might be the starter...

I don't mean to sound like an a**, but its not the starter. The starters job is to crank the motor over. Once the motor is running the starter does nothing.

Also a bad starter would not cause the car to suddenly stall and not have a spark on the #1 plug.

wunderboy · 06-06-2002, 05:40 PM

My friends and I had the same problem with the preludes and it wound up being some relay, I have no idea which. My friend is a cert. mechanic so he found it on his, and changed mine as well. But we had the same starting problem.
And i dont know about Toyota, but chevy codes can be seen by turnning the key from on to off 3 times. Then the check engine light will blink.

Like LE said, the manuals will tell you.

Linwin · 06-07-2002, 09:58 AM

This Is Addressed To Wunderboy,
Could you please check with your freind about which relay that he replaced? This sounds more like the problem, this car has many relays, some of which deal with starting.
Again, thanks to all.
Richard