92 camry won't start. help?!

[brokedown92camry]

92 camry 170k miles, very very little maintainance in the last 30k (~2yrs). The car has been pretty badly neglected.

It didn't start about a month and a half ago, loud clicking noises. Got it towed to the garage, starter replaced.

I live in ny, so you hardly go over 40mph. A few days ago, I was up to around 60 (which is really pretty rare) hit traffic, down to around 10-15mph - suddenly car started bucking. Got uncomfortable, pulled over. Turned off car. Started it again, seemed smoother. Bucked a few more times before I got home, but not as bad as first time.

Then tried to start it again next day. No dice. It sounds like its about to start, gets to about 600rpm then just sounds like a broken lawn mower. First couple times I tried I smelled gas.

If I need to take it to a garage I will. But I don't want them to rob me. I know nothing about cars - so please give me advice thats simple enough even a dummy like me can follow - or include links that can help me figure out how to follow your directions.

Other things that are currently wrong with the car include:
- the dash hasn't lit up properly in a couple months. The diagnostic lights turn on fine, but when I turn the headlights on the dash goes dark.
- the alignment i think needs to be fixed - since the car vibrates at around 40mph.
- another mechanic told me that a belt of some kind needed to be replaced at some point.

Any help is seriously appreciated. I know I've badly neglected my car, but if I can get it working again, I promise to take better care of it in the future. Thanks for any help.

[bigbird]

sounds like a fuel problem. when it didnt start...did it crank but not turn over? how was teh performance of the car after it had started bucking...hesitation?...loss of power?

[brokedown92camry]

Thanks for the response.

I'm not really sure -- when it started bucking I got nervous and tried to just pull over. The gas was low at the time. Yesterday I bought a gallon of gas and poured it in, still didn't start.

Opened the hood and watched the engine as someone tried to start. The engine was shaking like crazy.

I think it was cranking, but not firing (but I'm not sure what any of that means ;p ).

[proftomda]

At the very least, you need to figure out if the ignition is working and is the engine recieving fuel. Since you stated you know nothing about cars, its time for it to visit a mechanic. My guess? Bad distrubutor on the ignition side (common problem) or bad fuel pump / filter on fuel side. There are ways to troubleshoot but you'll have to be prepared to get tools and get dirty.

[Albuynp Ryeno]

The fuel pressure regulator might be broken as well.

[JCamry94]

My car bucked HARD when the tranny was slipping, and had to get one of the gears replaced...

Might wanna try cleaning out the IAC w/some seafoam if what the other guys said dont work..

[1/2 ton giant]

you should try replacing the fuel filter and adding fuel cleaning treatment to your engin. if your fuel filter is clogged, the fuel pump is struggling and will not produce the fuel that the engine need which will cause it to run poor, not start, studder, or just die out on you. also clean the airfilter, or have the timing belt inspected if you havent done that already.