Starts but wont run - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

tybeejoe · 01-09-2007, 01:34 PM

I have a 91 camry cyl 5 spd 83,000, year old plugs, wires, cap and rotor I started my car to defrost the windows and went back in the house. I came back out and it quit running. I tried starting it again and it would try to start but just wouldnt keep running. The gas pedal does nothing to it once it starts to run. Throttle position sensor maybe? Thanks

timebuilder · 01-09-2007, 05:59 PM

Let's review.

It started, ran, and quit.

It will start again, and then quit again.

I would begin by pulling codes.

Have you ever changed the fuel filter?

Unco · 01-09-2007, 06:30 PM

try reconnecting the plug going into your AFM, it could have come lose and if there's no connection the engine will start but it won't accelerate and it won't keep running for long, which is what you're describing.

it's the one near your air filter.

tybeejoe · 01-09-2007, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timebuilder

Let's review.

It started, ran, and quit.

It will start again, and then quit again.

I would begin by pulling codes.

Have you ever changed the fuel filter?

Actully it wants to start sometimes, but sometimes it just cranks and cranks with no hint of starting. And not sure on filter ive only owned it a year. I just parked it last night and didnt have any problems with it since ive owned it. Not sure how to pull codes, but ill try that next. Thanks

tybeejoe · 01-09-2007, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unco

try reconnecting the plug going into your AFM, it could have come lose and if there's no connection the engine will start but it won't accelerate and it won't keep running for long, which is what you're describing.

it's the one near your air filter.

Tried that too but no luck, Thanks

timebuilder · 01-09-2007, 06:59 PM

Codes:

http://oregonstate.edu/~tongt/camry/

Click on the link for the car (top link)

Scroll down to "EFI"

Scroll to page 23 of the pdf file.

In the same online manual, there is a process for checking fuel pressure. I always check fuel volume as well, looking for a minimum of one pint of fuel pumped in a maximum of 30 seconds.

Do you have a consistent, strong spark?

Read some of the posts here on the site in the general camry discussion and the Gen 1&2 forums concerning starting and running.

Unco · 01-09-2007, 07:06 PM

it could be the igniter. but follow timebuilder's advice. you may as well change the fuel filter and get that out of the way. as for the codes, there should be a diagnostics plug in your engine bay (someone correct me if i'm wrong) between the firewall and the driver's side strut, just at the top right above of where my picture ends.

turn everything off and bridge connectors E1 and T, now jump in the car and turn the ignition on, but do not crank the engine. you should see the engine light flash at various intervals. these are your codes.

timebuilder · 01-09-2007, 07:15 PM

If the car still starts sometimes, I'd have doubts about the problem being a bad igniter. Usually they fail 100% and never come back.

Just follow the procedure in the online manual, and for following up on any codes.

Take an old plug and ground the shell of the plug to the engine block while connected to one of the spark plug wires. Have someone crank the motor, and make sure you have a good strong spark.

Unco · 01-09-2007, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timebuilder

If the car still starts sometimes, I'd have doubts about the problem being a bad igniter. Usually they fail 100% and never come back.

you would have had a lot of fun with my celica. it is the opposite of everything related to "usually".

my igniter started failing when the engine was warm once or twice a month. eventually it failed altogether, after several months.

timebuilder · 01-09-2007, 07:34 PM

Yes, there are always exceptions. My Supra had a few, too.

That said, much of diagnositics is to look for the usual first, and when the usual does not reveal the cause, then shift to the unusual.

In this case, checking and finding a good spark on a car that won't start pretty much would eliminate the igniter as a causal factor.

tybeejoe · 01-09-2007, 07:34 PM

Thanks guys, Ill try that tomorrow. Theres alot of snow where its parked so its not going to be fun to work on.

timebuilder · 01-09-2007, 07:36 PM

Yikes, I just realized your data block says "Denver."

Watch out for those avalanches!

Doctor J · 01-09-2007, 08:07 PM

Put Jumper (paper clip) between B+ and Fp terminals inside the diag. box. Try to start the car after that.If it starts and keeps running, check the items suggested above. If the car does not start, make sure that power is coming to the fuel pump.

tybeejoe · 01-09-2007, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timebuilder

Yikes, I just realized your data block says "Denver."

Watch out for those avalanches!

LOL, Thanks

tybeejoe · 01-09-2007, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctor J

Put Jumper (paper clip) between B+ and Fp terminals inside the diag. box. Try to start the car after that.If it starts and keeps running, check the items suggested above. If the car does not start, make sure that power is coming to the fuel pump.

Just went outside to try it and it still wouldnt start or run. I will try to check for power tomorrow. Thanks