1995 Camry starting issue

[The Hammer28]

My Camry has a little issue when I try to start it in the morning. It initially only cranks once and stops (like the battery is dead or the starter is bad). The second time, it always cranks until it starts. It does this every time its been sitting for 4+ hours. If I leave it sit for an hour or so, it starts right up. I initially thought it was a starter issue, but since it is so predictable and consistant, I think it may be something else. Could this possibly be a timing issue? The car runs and drives perfectly once it's started. It has 102k on it and has had the timing belt replaced at 82k, but that was about 8 years ago. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[frenum49]

Next time your car has been sitting for more than 4 hours try this BEFORE you start the engine. Cycle the key to the on position but do not start or crank it. Turn the key just far enough so that the dash lights are on. Once you are in the on position leave it there for a few seconds. Then turn the key off for a few seconds and back to the on for a few more seconds. This will cycle your fuel pump without starting the car. If after doing this a couple times your car fires up normally, (and I bet it will), you have fuel delivery issues. Either a nasty fuel filter or your pump is weak and failing. Could also be a bad fuel pressure regulator. There is a round diaphragm, kinda looks like a flying saucer (LOL) on the fuel rail which supplies fuel to the injectors. Connected to this reg is a vacuum line. Pull the line and check to see that there is NO GASOLINE in the vacuum line. If there is replace the reg and the problem is solved.

[toyomoho]

The issue is; first the engine does not start and stops tuning over? Then the second try it turns over and starts.

How long does it turn over before starting on the second try?

[new echo owner]

Is it actually turning the engine over or is it just one click? How long does it crank before the engine starts that second time?

N.E.O.

[Albuynp Ryeno]

I had a 95 camry with a starting problem as well. Turned out to be the fuel pressure regulator.

[frenum49]

LOL I waspretty tired when I read your post sorry

[The Hammer28]

Thanks for the replies. The car does crank once and then totally stops like the starter is blown or the battery is dead. It does not just click. After that, it does the normal 3-4 cranks and starts (takes about 1.5 secs to start). If it was a fuel issue, then I don't know why it would stop cranking. However, there are two things that lead me to believe that it is a fuel delivery issue:
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1) I recently replaced the fuel filter and had a hell of a time threading it back in. Maybe something got pinched in the line and is blocking flow.
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2) I left my running lights on at work yesterday and needed a jump. I, at first, didn't notice I had left the lights on and assumed it was my starter, so I cycled the key a few times after hitting the starter with a hammer. When I did finally get a jump, it started right up. The battery did have enough juice for the radio to come on, so it must have had enough for the fuel pump to prime the system while I cycled the key.
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I'll check the regulator. Thanks.

[new echo owner]

Actually the fuel pump doesn't run when you cycle the key unless you go to the crank position; it has to see a crank signal to energize the circuit open relay to power the fuel pump, after that the ECM takes over to power the relay.

Do you actually see the engine turn over, or just hear the sound of the starter engaging?

N.E.O.

[JEV]

we had problem, with the eclipse, dad just took the battery from camry and put it on eclipse, then it cranked and turned on.


...but the eclipse been sitting for 2yrs,lol. could be oil, need tune-up?

[The Hammer28]

Originally Posted by new echo owner

Actually the fuel pump doesn't run when you cycle the key unless you go to the crank position; it has to see a crank signal to energize the circuit open relay to power the fuel pump, after that the ECM takes over to power the relay.

Do you actually see the engine turn over, or just hear the sound of the starter engaging?

N.E.O.

The engine does turn. Usually, when you try to start your car, it goes crank crank crank crank run.... My car goes crank...nothing. It then starts on the second try. I've been cycling the key and I haven't had the problem so far. Might just be a coincidence.

[new echo owner]

So you have actually see the engine turn when it was acting up?

It could still be a starter problem. If I remember correctly, the solenoid in the starter actually has two windings, one that pulls the plunger in and then a second winding that holds it in place while the starter is cranking. The contact on the plunger is the part that close the circuit which allow the starter to turn the engine over. If the plunger is sticking, which may affect the engagement of the contacts, which in turn would not allow the hold winding to hold the contact in place to crank the engine over. Just a speculation on my part.

N.E.O.