96 camry 2.2 wont start

[finfinder]

2.2l - 216k miles.

It was getting hard to start lately but once started it would start all day until the next morning, finally would not start at all. Occasionally would stall after starting, but only for a few minutes- then fine
Strong spark at ignition coil. weak spark at plugs. I say distributor, my brother (the car guy) says no.

I know the egr valve is bad. The cel light has been on for "egr insufficient flow" for a few months but it ran ok.

[digmycelica]

Originally Posted by finfinder

2.2l - 216k miles.

It was getting hard to start lately but once started it would start all day until the next morning, finally would not start at all. Occasionally would stall after starting, but only for a few minutes- then fine
Strong spark at ignition coil. weak spark at plugs. I say distributor, my brother (the car guy) says no.

I know the egr valve is bad. The cel light has been on for "egr insufficient flow" for a few months but it ran ok.

Might just be a bad rotor, or maybe bad coil wire or plug wires.

as far as the cel, I doubt the EGR valve is bad,


CHECK EGR VACUUM MODULATOR

• with ports P, Q and R
• and also
• check the egr control solenoid

[finfinder]

We replaced the rotor and distributor cap yesterday. No effect.

[uibalnme]

Have you ever replaced the plug wires before, or are they still the original factory wires? Try installing a new set of plugs and wires.

[wiccanferret]

How about the plugs themselves?

[finfinder]

the plugs and wires were both replaced last year

[Mickyblue]

I have a similar problem with my 96 camry le 2.2, but only during winter when its cold... what to me seemed like the battery wasnt strong enough, so when it would start and want to die, i'd put my foot into it, and rev it a couple seconds so it would start, and slowly let it rev down to idle and let it idle and warm up. Try cleaning your battery terminals, using baking soda and water

[finfinder]

Batterys not the problem. Tried a new one; same thing.

[Mike Gerber]

If the engine is cranking normally (you don't say) and it's hard to start and keep running cold, check the engine coolant temperature sensor (Toyota calls this an ECT sensor in their manuals) with a DVM and the specs from any manual. There is a free downloadable generation 3 manual stickied at the top of this forum. The sensor may be out of range and telling the ECU the car is warm, when it is obviously cold. It may not be making the fuel mixture rich enough to facilitate a cold start and to keep the engine running while it is still cold. This would explain why it runs fine the rest of the day, when the engine is relatively warm. If the coolant temperature sensor checks out OK, I would then check the coil inside the distsributor with the DVM and the manual. The coils can sometimes be temperature dependant.

Mike

[Camryamnesty]

do you have compression? When you crank it does it just make a whining noise or does it sound like theres compression. Are the plugs good? DO YOU HAVE GAS in the tank? are you getting spark? and are you getting fuel at the rail? IS the timing right?

[finfinder]

Plenty gas, plugs look ok, it sounds like the timimg is not there or the spark is dying inside the cap. Maybe the timing belt slipped. I may just replace the distributor (its got 200k on it anyway) and then look at the belt.

[Mr.Nutcase]

check batt with DVOM, it should be 12.6 volts, also check resistance of the coils

[marc780]

try cleaning the throttle body, and IAC, maybe your Idle air control valve is dirty

[Silver TRD Taco]

I just fixed this very problem on my 94. I replaced the coil pack, cap, and rotor and it fired up first try. With spark, fuel, and compression I was pulling my hair out like WTF! $20 junkyard fix (I actually got the whole distributor).

[phokisonyou]

Check your starter and your battery.. mine has been having trouble starting also and the reason is because my starter went bad.. IN FRONT OF SEARS lol. It was hilarious. I had my egr valve replaced last year I believe it was.. THAT CRAPS EXPENSIVE!! Cost me $600 bucks, pockets still hurt from that payment lmao!