1986 Camry Cold Start Problem - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

toored · 06-27-2006, 09:58 AM

One of my '86 Camries (yeah I own 2!) 2.0L 2S-E, Auto is very difficult to start when cold, as if the cold start injection system isn't working. The cold start injector bench ckecks ok when jumpered to power/ground. My wiring diagram shows a cold start injector timer switch, which I suspect may be bad; however, I don't know where the timer switch is located. Also I've been told that there is also a temp switch on the cylinder head or water jacket which arms the timer switch when the water temp is below 113 degrees F.

Would you folks happen to know where the timer switch and/or temp switch is located and have any of you had similar problems with this year model car?

Any help is greatly appreciated!!

Doctor J · 06-27-2006, 11:39 AM

The cold start time switch is located on the water outlet in front and below the throttle body. It has rectangular brown connector.If the switch has resistance more then 60 Ohm between terminals, it needs to be replaced. Just swap one from your second car and see, if it helps.

toored · 06-27-2006, 12:53 PM

Thanks Dr. J! I'll try that.

marc780 · 06-27-2006, 03:38 PM

Maybe your idle air control valve is stuck in open position - if this year camry has this part that is.
Clean the throttle body and butterfly, remove IAC and give a good cleaning.

Doctor J · 06-27-2006, 03:58 PM

This year model camry has bi-metal idle air bypas valve. If it fails, the cold engine will show slow sag idle speed and lack of power.

Mike Gerber · 06-27-2006, 05:58 PM

Doctor J is correct. I had that problem with my 86 Camry 2SE engine. The cold start time switch was just a bit out of spec, but it still caused the problems you described. A new one fixed the problem. The part is about $100 and i believe it is a dealer only part. Check it out as Doctor J described with a DVM. Since you have 2 of these cars, check the bad one against the good one. That way you will be certain it is the problem.

By the way, the ECT sensor (engine coolant temperature sensor) is located right next to it, under the green plastic connector. I never understood why Toyota engineers didn't just use the engine coolant temperature sensor for feeding the computer this startup information.

Mike

Doctor J · 06-28-2006, 08:06 AM

Starting 1994, I believe, Tercel no longer uses cold start injector and cold start switch.
The cold start injector time switch like on 86 Camry is installed on 82 to 86 Supra, 83 to 86 Cressida. Other years may work too.

toored · 06-28-2006, 12:19 PM

Thanks again folks!

Dr. J: I did check the resistance of the timer switch with a DVM. When hot it was about 48 ohms and cold about 35-38 ohms, which would be within the resistance tolerance but it seems from reading here it may still be out of tolerance. I will check the other car when I can and see how it compares.

Kep · 06-28-2006, 02:13 PM

If you own two operating 2SEs why not swap the part and see if the problem moves to the other car. Then you'd know for sure.

Kep

toored · 06-30-2006, 06:21 AM

Thanks for the suggestion Kep. I plan to swap the sensors from car to car but my mother drives the other one and she lives 30 miles away so it'll be a week or so before I can do it. I have noticed that the other Camry has the same problem but only after sitting in the hot Summer sun all day, which is what my car did before it started having the problem all the time. I guess the hot sun heats the sensor enough to change the resistance of it enough to cause it to fail to operate.

Doctor J · 06-30-2006, 02:01 PM

Try to prime a fuel rail before starting by shortening fuel pump check terminals. If starting improves, check fuel delivery system.

toored · 07-01-2006, 06:07 AM

Thanks Dr. J.

I will try that. I recently replaced the fuel pump. However, I haven't checked the fuel pressure/regulator with a guage yet. I will try that also. I plan to go get a couple of start injector timer switches from a junk yard today and try them. I'll let you know how this all turns out. Thanks again for the help!

toored · 07-04-2006, 08:59 AM

Just a note to let you folks know that I got the cold start issue solved!

Turns out that the spray pattern of my old cold start injector was insufficient to atomize the fuel enough to be useful. It was spraying but off to one side and not in a cone shape like it should. Apparently it was partially clogged with carbon. I tried three other ones from junk yard cars (and two timer switches) before I found one that would spray like it should. Now the car starts great!

Thanks again to those of you who helped with this issue and happy Independence Day!!