help 91 camry wont stay running

[the_duke]

ok guys I realy need your help My nieghbor has a 91 camry dx 2.0 he was working on the car and couldnt get the mass air flow sensor unplugged so he removed the two screws and pulled and the three wires inside came out it would start while unluged. he tried hokking three wires back up how he thought they came but it would start and shut off after about 2-4 seconds. I went over there to look at it as I am a heavy equiptment mechanic i have some mechanical no how. I unplugged the sensor to see if it would run in safe mode, again it will just start then dies. i read some cars had an immobilizer so i used key to unluck door but still same thing. He is a older retired gentlman without a lot of funds so I am trying to help him out. I figured the MAS is shot but what could cause it to not run even wen unplugged.
Thanks for any help anyone can give

[hzt30]

Try to verify the wires that were pulled.

It should run with the air flow meter unplugged but poorly. If you were to open the throttle a little, does it try to stay running? Perhaps there is an unplugged vacuum line.

[the_duke]

I checked the wires he unpluged they are three very small wires inside the mass air flow sensor. Ive checked the vacuum lines. It was running with the wires unplugged until he tried hooking them back up inside the sensor.

To add some clarity to my early post as I was rushing when I typed. The car will start. turn the key it starts right up when the enging tries to slow down to normal like usual it just dies. Doesnt make any sounds just shuts off. If I try giving it any fuel at all either by pedal or at manifold it shudders a tiny bit and shuts off. Before he tried hooking those three small wires in the Mass air flow sensor up it would idle fine. I realy hope its nothing major as I said before my nieghbor isnt the most well of financialy.

Also before he started working on the car it ran fine

[white90dx]

The car should not run for more than a couple seconds with the AFM unplugged. It is likely that is the only (major) problem with the car.

You will need to get the wires hooked up correctly internally or get a replacement AFM.

Try this picture to see if it helps:



If not, there is more info on the internal workings of the AFM in the thread with that picture here:

3s, 2vz, 3vz free power, OH MY!

-Charlie

[the_duke]

Man thanks a billion for the pic. gonna go bring it in and check wiring at the kitchen table so I have proper lighting.. shh dont tell the wife. I hope thats the only problem. you dont think he could have fried anything by hooking it up wrong and plugging it in something besides the air flow sensor. Ill post back in a bit after i get it wired up and try it. again THANKS

[the_duke]

White90dx you are the man. with that pic I was able to correct the wiring I also noticed the soldered conections in the MAF had broken. i soldered em hooked up the wiring correctly and reinstalled in the vehicle and it started right up. Me and my Nieghbor want to say thanks you just saved him at 160-200 depending on where he were to get sensor from. Thanks man