83 hard to start if air temp over 60F

[Oztim]

My '83 Camry is hard to start if the air temperature is over 60 F and acts like the engine is flooded until it''s warmed up. There is also excessive fuel consumption during engine warm-up.

It''s easy to start if the air temp is less than 60 F and the engine runs at a very high RPM for a long time before the engine warms up.

Any ideas?

Thanks, Oztim

[Kep]

Not sure but does an 83 have a cold start injector? If so maybe it or what ever triggers it (a 3sfe uses a cold start timer switch in conjunction with the cold start injector) may be stuck in the "on" position resulting in the excess gas to start cold or, possibly in your case, too much gas for warm conditions. I kind of think it might be the sensor since it sounds like after the engine heats up even more it quits running rich.

Just a guess...
Kep

[Doctor J]

Pull the spark plugs and check them out .if all of them are covered with soot, check the following items:

coolant thermosensor-should set the code
air thermosensor
leaking cold start injector

If only one plug is black, the injector for this cylinder is leaking

[new echo owner]

Just a guess, you may have a coolant temp sensor stuck in the cold range causing the fuel system to run rich. May or may not set a code, since it is not open.

N.E.O.

[Doctor J]

if problem takes longer then one second it would set a soft code[MIL light will be off but the code will be in memory].this early system has single digit code [not accurate explanation, as it has code 11, however the number of flashes is the same as code number-- for code 11 it should flash 11 times!! not just one-pause-one]

[Oztim]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I will look into your suggestions...

[new echo owner]

Try shorting the terminals at the connector for the coolant temp sensor, it should trick the ecu into thinking the engine is hot. Of cause ou will have to do this after the engine is warmed up, otherwise it won't stay running or even start.

N.E.O.

[Doctor J]

Yes, this worked for my 79 Supra with bad coolant thermosensor.[And this car had no diagnostic system at all}

[Oztim]

Kep: Yes the 83 has a cold start injector.

Which sensor are you referring to?

Also, how do you check the cold start timer switch.



Doctor J: None of the plugs are sooty. And there is no 'check engine light'. Any other suggestions?

- Oztim

[Doctor J]

If spark plugs are clean, flooding is unlikely. This car has bimetal cold air bypass valve. Check to see if it works.

[new echo owner]

Not 100% sure, but I believe the coolant temp sensor has a gray connector and it is located on the right end of the cylinder head where the coolant housing is located at when you are facing the engine. There should also be a green connector next to it, which is the cold start timer switch.

On a warm engine, you can just pull the cold start injector out of the intake, if it shows signs of fuel dripping, it is possible that it is leak or staying on. Block off the opening in the intake, start the engine, if everything is work like it is supposed to there shouldn't have any fuel coming out at all. BE CAREFUL THOUGH, FUEL MAY SPRAY IF IT IS STUCK ON! The cold start injector only works during cranking I believe, not when the engine is running, since it is powered by the cranks signal from the starter.

N.E.O.

[Doctor J]

The coolant thermosensor has green connector [may get yellowish with age]; the cold start injector switch has brown connector.
the fuel system can be peressurized by jumping fuel pump test connector, the one that hangs down near the air flow meter and turning ignition on[no neeed to start the engine]