No Idle on Startup

[randomjohnson]

Hey guys, this one only happens once in a blue moon, but I'm going into my mechanic for some other little things, and I want to try and give him my best guess (i.e. your best guess).

(95 Camry with the inline 4; automatic)

I'll turn the key, the car will rev up, but won't catch idle and just conk out and die. If I don't give it gas, the car will just die out (rpms just fall to zero and the car dies). No engine sounds, no clunking, nothing like that. I could try starting the car 100 times like this, and it will just conk out.

To get myself out of this situation, I usually have to basically try and get the car into drive while I'm two-footing the brake and the gas (so I can shift out of Park); as long as I can get the car to shift into second gear, all is well after that. I can stop and the car idles fine, I can turn it on and back on again, all is well after I can atleast get the car to shift out of first gear.

It usually happens when I've driven it to the store or something, got out for 5-10min, and tried to crank it up. Though it has happened in the morning before.

Just seems like when this happens it won't catch idle on startup.

Anyone have this? Got a diagnosis for me?

[rotarydave]

Sounds like the MAF or MAP sensor and/or their circuit. Do you have a check engine light on?

[Mike Gerber]

Try cleaning the idle air control valve. You can access it by removing the big tube leading to the throttle body. You will see a square or diamond shaped port at the base of the throttle body. That leads to the idle air control valve. Spray throttle body cleaner liberally down that hole, then go on to clean the rest of the throttle body while the cleaner soaks in the idle air control valve. Then reassemble everything and start the car. It will be difficult to start and will smoke for a few minutes. Take the car for a 10-15 minute ride to clear out all the excess throttle body cleaner. Don't be alarmed if the car dies a couple of times during this short drive. That should go away by the time you get back from the drive. Hopefully, that will take care of your problem.

Mike