90 Camry intermittent dies - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

paulcalif · 06-11-2007, 02:59 PM

90 Camry, 129K, 4cyl, auto. Purchased 3 days ago. Runs fine most of the time, but occasionally sputters and dies. Starts back up, but dies again. Finally starts again as runs fine. This is my daughter’s car, I haven’t been there when it’s done this so I am going by her description. She says if she pumps the gas fast while it’s starting to die, it usually comes back ok. Any suggestions on where to start? Link to repair manual?
Thanks.

paulcalif · 06-11-2007, 03:23 PM

I found the manuals, thanks! I am thinking I should start with the sensors.

paulcalif · 06-11-2007, 03:44 PM

Ok, now my daughter says the car acted like it was "bogging down" (again, her words). I asked her if it was like it was in the wrong gear and she said exactly. She was sitting at idle for about 5 min, took off and it was ok for a few feet then acted like it was in forth gear when it should have been in 1st. (this is an automatic). I doubt that it's the transmission, but who knows now.

Tommy · 06-11-2007, 04:14 PM

could be fuel, could be spark. Test out the ignition components, replace as necessary - coil, wires, plugs, cap, rotor.

fuel - look at the manual for the test procedure for testing the fuel pump. pump is a bitch to replace though.

marc780 · 06-11-2007, 05:02 PM

Clean throttle body and idle air control, its easy to do -
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t157470.html

change fuel filter, change spark plugs. Absent any other info, sounds like fuel to me

marc780 · 06-17-2007, 01:26 PM

So by the way PaulCalif, what did the problem turn out to be? What was the fix after all?

paulcalif · 06-28-2007, 07:35 PM

Thanks for the tips and the link, I will look into the throttle body and idle air control as those were my first thoughts too, but now I am not to sure, read on.

Sorry I didn't write back, but the problem has NOT been solved. I do have more information however. Turns out that the car is only missing and dieing but sometimes my daughter can pump the accelerator and keep it going, then it runs fine. Every time it happens it's been about 15 or 20 minutes after it's been started for the first time that day. I'm thinking it must be something to do with the cooling system, a temp sensor? Anyone know of any water temp sensors that would cause the engine to miss and die, probably causing the wrong fuel mixture. I see there are a few. Just my best guess at this point. Daughter has learned to live with it, but it's not really safe, car has died more than once in the middle of an intersection.

I replaced the front brakes today, I don't think the caliper slide bushings (for lack of a better name) had ever been lubed. Had to pound them out!! They cleaned up fine and worked great after greasing them. Gotta give the daughter 2 points, she let me know the the brake wear indicators were making noise (taught her well), changed the pads just in time!!

Of course while I was there I notice that both of the outside CV boots are torn to threads, so the next project will be to replace the axels. I have a source for them for $45 bucks each, can you believe that, so cheap. They are the source for the parts stores.

Thanks in advance, Paul