1993 camry ELECTRIC BOLTS!

[jbruno101]

Hey, i got a 93 camry xle v6 with 55k on it.

the last few days, at times, when the car is warm it feels as though it is pumping when idle. when i am sitting at a light with my foot on the brake it feels like the car has a heart beat.

today i went out to LI to go shopping!

on my way back the car started doing the pumping worse. I confirmed the transmission was fine and realized it was a power issue.

when i got home i popped my hood and took a look around.

in about the middle of the car (height wise) towards the back of the engine (indicated by the red arrow and circle) there was a snapping sound with an electrical bolt a few times every second. it was pretty crazy.

note: this is an inline 4 model, mine is the 6 cyl.

hopefully its just some bad wiring or a simple component that can be replaced! im going to try to take it in tomorrow morning.



the bolt i saw looked exactly like this

[dc_98_cam]

That's high voltage ..... probably from your plug wires .... try a new set of wires.

[jbruno101]

Originally Posted by dc_98_cam

That's high voltage ..... probably from your plug wires .... try a new set of wires.

are the plug wired underneath what i have circled?

i was standing by the front left headlight looking diagonally down to the area behind the engine. every time i saw it and heard the snap the car sounded like it was going to stall, but hasnt

[95PimpingCamry]

The 3 black boxes on top of your engine where you circled are your ignition coils. They produce a couple thousand volts which is meant to arc (like what you saw) only in your spark plugs. You have either a broken wire right at the coil, or the coils them selfs have a broken casing, causing it to arc to your engine instead. Check all the wires going to the coils (while the engine is off) for broken insulation (you should be able to see the metal wire if the insulation is broken). Also check the coils them selfs for broken housings.

Edit: Just realized since you have a 93 you have the 3VZ-FE and I'm not sure if you have coil packs (as pictured) or regular plug wires. If you don't have those black boxes on your engine, you have regular plug wires. These wires connect the coil to your plugs and have the high voltage in them. Check them for broken insulation.

[jbruno101]

Originally Posted by 95PimpingCamry

The 3 black boxes on top of your engine where you circled are your ignition coils. They produce a couple thousand volts which is meant to arc (like what you saw) only in your spark plugs. You have either a broken wire right at the coil, or the coils them selfs have a broken casing, causing it to arc to your engine instead. Check all the wires going to the coils (while the engine is off) for broken insulation (you should be able to see the metal wire if the insulation is broken). Also check the coils them selfs for broken housings.

Edit: Just realized since you have a 93 you have the 3VZ-FE and I'm not sure if you have coil packs (as pictured) or regular plug wires. If you don't have those black boxes on your engine, you have regular plug wires. These wires connect the coil to your plugs and have the high voltage in them. Check them for broken insulation.

if i were to get a full tune up (and change the spark plugs) would those wires be changed?

its a 92, not a 93 sorry.

[95PimpingCamry]

^ it depends on what the shop defines as a "full tune up." Either specificly ask for spark plug wires, or buy them yourself and put them on yourself.
This is what you would be looking for:
http://www.sparkplugs.com/more_info....73272&pid=2922

[jbruno101]

Originally Posted by 95PimpingCamry

^ it depends on what the shop defines as a "full tune up." Either specificly ask for spark plug wires, or buy them yourself and put them on yourself.
This is what you would be looking for:
http://www.sparkplugs.com/more_info....73272&pid=2922

are you sure its a knicked spark plug wire? my mechanic doesn't know much English (he is Asian but is a great mechanic and good pricing!) so usually i have to tell him exactly what to do. Hopefully its sparking when i get there and he can see it.

i already changed the cap and rotor and a few other things so he said to complete the full tune up itd be like $150 or $250 i forget. not much money at all to ensure this great car is in 100% working condition

[95PimpingCamry]

Either you or your mechanic will have to verify that it is a bad plug wire. Just look at the wires carefully. If the rubber insulation on any of them is cracked, torn, or missing you need new plug wires.

To me it sounds like bad wires because the only parts of your car that have enough voltage to arc like what you saw are the ignition coil, spark plug wires, and the spark plugs. It can't be bad plugs because you can't even see them and the plugs are supposed to spark anyway. I doubt it is your coil because if I'm thinking correctly your coil is not in the area that you mentioned and your plug wires are.

[jbruno101]

Originally Posted by 95PimpingCamry

Either you or your mechanic will have to verify that it is a bad plug wire. Just look at the wires carefully. If the rubber insulation on any of them is cracked, torn, or missing you need new plug wires.

To me it sounds like bad wires because the only parts of your car that have enough voltage to arc like what you saw are the ignition coil, spark plug wires, and the spark plugs. It can't be bad plugs because you can't even see them and the plugs are supposed to spark anyway. I doubt it is your coil because if I'm thinking correctly your coil is not in the area that you mentioned and your plug wires are.

thanks for the info, im gonna have to call into work monday morning and say i have "car trouble" so i can bring it by the shop.

if i were to get a "full tune up" what exactly would be done to the car

i already changed the cap and rotor and i have another 500 miles b4 i have to change the oil.

my friend had told me i need to have the air filter changed (i can do this myself but is it included in the tune up?)

i should change the timing belt at 60k, correct? how much should that run me

[jbruno101]

well i took her in today, and in 3 hours, 300$ and a complete tune up later she is good as new.

When should i change the timing belt?

[Mike Gerber]

"When should i change the timing belt?"

The recommended timing belt change interval on the generation 3 Camry (1992-1996) is 60,000 miles.

Mike