'Rough' start - ideas? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Jimnist · 11-11-2009, 06:21 PM

Hey everyone,

Lately, my gen 2 has been having rough starts. It cranks fine and the cylinders start firing, but not enough to keep the engine running/up to a proper idle. So i stop turning the key and it bogs/runs on the verge on stalling for a second or 2 and will either start idling or die.

If i hold the key, the starter makes that horrible whiney noise goes high pitched and subsides. I hate that sound *cringe*

I've cleaned the IAC with some throttle body cleaner, but it still happens. It's the only thing i can think of that is casing this problem. What i do now is step on the throttle to 1/2 way and as soon as it starts, i lift off and it fine. So i'm the IAC now

This usually happens during 'cold' starts when it's been sitting for a while in the sun. To my memory, it's fine in the morning on those cold starts.

Thoughts? Ideas? Should i try cleaning it again?

Any help is appreciated.

white90dx · 11-11-2009, 07:23 PM

Sounds like it might be the cold start injector or the cold start injector time switch.

Does it take a little while to start catching a bit?

-Charlie

Jimnist · 11-11-2009, 08:28 PM

Umm...yeah. But other times it'll just fire right up.

Would i need to replace it or will a professional clean suffice? Is there a way to test the CSI time switch?

Doctor J · 11-11-2009, 08:31 PM

If it starts with black smoke the engine is flooded.[Fuel pressure regulator vacuum diaphragm is busted, bad coolant thermosensor]
Check the codes.

Mike Gerber · 11-11-2009, 09:19 PM

I would check the cold start time switch for being out of range. You will need a digital volt/ohmeter and the specs from any manual to do this. If you don't have a manual you can download one for free at the top of the Camry forum,over at AutomotiveForums.com. Download the generation 2 manual. The cold start time swtich is the one under the brown connector on a water port, to the right of the cylinder head, as you are standing in fornt of the engine.

Mike

Jimnist · 11-12-2009, 07:08 AM

Thanks guys. Will do and post the results

Jimnist · 11-12-2009, 08:53 AM

Also, today i was driving for a few hrs towing two (motor)bikes which are about 220kgs in total on a 7x4 trailer in almost 30* heat with traffic. The temp shot up to 120*C during some periods, maybe 10-20 mins. Should i be worried?

I couldn't exactly pull over, so i turned the heat on but it didn't seem to bring the temp down much.

I'm definitely getting a new radiator as i believe it's not doing it's job as crumbles as soon as i touch any fins.

white90dx · 11-12-2009, 03:42 PM

How do you know how hot the motor got? Do you have an extra gauge? The factory gauge is not accurate...

The weight you were pulling is near the limits for the car, but it shouldn't have been a problem with the cooling system - you may have a thermostat or other problem.

Let us know how the CSI time switch works out... if you can pull one off a junkyard car, its an easy swap/fix.

-Charlie

Jimnist · 11-12-2009, 05:33 PM

Yep, got aftermarket gauge. In hindsight, it probably would have been cheaper (and easier) to just replace the factory sender as i reckon that's what's stuffed. The gauge was $30, but i had to spend another $20 for an inline hose adpator because the thread was an M10 and not the imperial one 3/8 i think?

lol, it was struggling a bit. Pretty sure it was pinging up hills.