Air Flow Sensor? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Jstrm · 09-03-2008, 10:51 AM

The 89 camry my boys drive died while they were driving it the day before yesterday. They were on a rough dirt road when it happened. AAA picked it up and brought it home. When I checked it out it had no spark so told them to check all the electrical plugs and make sure something didn't come loose. When I got home from work the youngest had found the air flow sensor plug was loose and plugged it back in, he had the car started and it seemed to be running fine. He took off to go to work and almost got there when it died again. He figured it was probably loose again so he checked it but it was still plugged in. When he unplugged it the car will start but dies almost immediately and wont start if at all if plugged in. The car is now about 20 miles away from home in a parking lot so I can't do a lot of diagnostics but have questions if the sensor is the problem or a symptom. I thought it would go into limp home mode if it was unplugged and I might be able to get it home but that wont work with it dieing and I don't want to drop $200 on the sensor if that's not the problem. Can anybody tell me if the air sensor would cause those symptoms. I'm not sure the car is worth $200 since it has serious body rot but we need a car for them to get around and as it is now I'm riding my motorcycle while they are driving the car and my truck while we are doing an engine swap in a Honda.

Doctor J · 09-03-2008, 01:11 PM

Unplugging the Air flow meter also cuts the power to the gas pump; during the engine cranking, the power is fed to the fuel pump from starting circuit [as long as the key in START position}; as the engine start the switch in AFM takes over.
Two things needed to be done: short the T and E1 terminal in the diag box and look for codes 12, 13, 14.
If none present, check for the 12V at ign connector black/orange wire on the distributor.
IMPORTANT: as engine cranking when no spark, DOES tachometer needle jumps from 0. If so the problem is in the secondary ign circuit.

Jstrm · 09-03-2008, 02:34 PM

Thanks Dr. J. I will be heading down there to look at it as soon as my older son gets home from work in a couple hours so I can take some tools and a driver if I can get it running. If the sensor is junk is there a way to bypass it to get the car home? I found a used sensor on line for $80 or my local parts store is $185+ for a new one. Like I said it's in rough shape but I love how economical it is.

Doctor J · 09-03-2008, 04:01 PM

The 88 camry with v-6 was able to run with AFM disconnected and shorted Fp and B+ terminals in diagnostic box. Honestly I never tried this on 4 cylinder; you may try to unplug TP sensor instead.
You may have to check the terminals inside the connector as sometimes they get pushed far deep into their cavities, causing no connection despite secured connector.
Have had this on my car for cold start switch, got $400 price break while bought my car