PROBLEM STARTING when wet and rainy - 95 Camry LE

[95.camry.le]

Im an amature and novice, and fairly new to TN but hoping to find some guidance...

PROBLEM:
It has been wet and heavy rains and very humid for the past 3 days. Yesterday I went to head out and my 95 Camry wouldn't start! When I turn the key the starter cranks away fine but there engine isn't turning over at all. I don't notice any decrease in battery power upon trying to start, again the starter seems to be cranking away but nothing is firing up.

last night, I positioned my car on a slightly downward slope and tried a rolling start in Neutral and nothing happened either. I let it sit overnight on the slightly downward slope and tried again to start this morning...and nothing. It isn't raining anymore but it is still very wet and humid.

sidenote - a few months ago, in the rain my car stalled out when driving through some intense puddles (maybe about 4 inches deep) it started on a rolling start right after tho.


ANY IDEAS WHAT IS GOING ON?

[Mike Gerber]

You don't give any indication of mileage on the car and how old your ignition system components are. That would be helpfull. Not starting or dying in wet/damp weather is usually an indication of faulty ignition system components. If you have 100,000 miles or more on the car and the igniton wires, distributor cap and rotor are original, I would start by replacing them. An old mechanics test for faulty spark plug wires was to spray them down at night or in a dark garage with water from a spray bottle or plant mister and then start the engine and look for sparks. If you see sparks from the wires the wires are definitely faulty. You may want to try that before replacing the plug wires. If replacing those items doesn't solve your problem, I would then inspect the coil inside the distributor looking for hairline cracks. If you don't see any obvious cracks, I would then test the coil using the specs from any manual and a digital volt/ohmeter. There is a generation 3 Toyota factory service manual stickied at the top of the General Camry Discussion Forum, that is available for free downloading. Look at section IG (ignition system) for the proper test procedures. You will have to find your own DVM. Wal-mart sells them at a good price. If you have a Harbor Freight store near you, they are even cheaper.

Mike

[toyomoho]

Some TN posters with this same issue have linked it to a bad coil. Download the ignition info from the link below and follow the troubleshooting info.

http://oregonstate.edu/~tongt/camry

[geoff5093]

Someone made a thread not too long ago on the same issue, I guess moisture was getting into his distributor or the coil packs, whatever it is that your car has.

[95.camry.le]

this is great info!
things dried up a bit today and it actually started this evening on the first try. it was a bit shaky on the start but once it fired up it was fine. it seems like it could in fact be a moisture issue.

Mike: sorry i didn't mention more info on my car. it has about 197,000 on it...and it still kicks well. you had some great info to help me.


on aside: assuming that the stalling when going thru a deep puddle and this recent issue of not starting after almost 3 days of heavy rains (Im in Kansas City near where all the storms and tornados have been hitting!) are connected...does that shed light on a specific problem? obviously, im looking to save time and money from extensive diagnostics or taking it to a local shop.

thanks guys!
steve

[95.camry.le]

ps - i've been the owner since mile 45,000 and I know that I haven't replaced any ignition system components.

[MIC0417]

well it's about time because the previous owner wouldn't changed them at that mileage so you definately need new wires.Here is some NGK's

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...115+4294864973

[95.camry.le]

again, im wondering if there is any direct connection between the "not starting when extremely wet outside" and "stalling when drove through a big puddle" problem. does these symptoms point to a specific problem?

any ideas? does that point towards a specific problem? I'd love to just tell the tech exactly what I want him to replace rather than risk getting ripped into some major repairs that aren't necessary.

[Stillrunning]

"it has about 197,000 on it" - "i've been the owner since mile 45,000 and I know that I haven't replaced any ignition system components."

Won't start when wet - no brainer, replace plugs, wires, cap, rotor, what are you waiting for. If coil is also faulty wait until the other stuff is done and see how it runs.

[Sniperdude]

Do what stillrunning said. Broken wires will short each other out in wet or humid weather, therefore giving an improper amount of voltage to all cylinders.

Also, cap and rotor wouldn't hurt, and while you're down there, plugs are a good decision.