99 Camry erratic idling and more - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

tak444 · 10-10-2008, 02:47 PM

Need some advice on what to do with my problematic 99 Camry 2.2L AT. Since 2 weeks ago there were 2 incidences that my engine almost stalled while on a complete stop at a traffic light. Engine was warm at that time, and the tachometer needle was swinging on the 200-400 rpm level and the engine was giving a sound like it was choking and about to die out. I released the brake pedal in order to let the car move forward, and the erratic idling disappeared. My car's normal idling is at 500 rpm at that time.

Just this week, I managed to compute my gas consumption and it was only 23 mpg, compared to my usual 26 mpg! I feel that the engine also runs with less power, and when I let the car run on free-wheel mode with the gear engaged in Drive, its like there's no pull on it compared to before. The car seems like it has a tantrum: some days it idles at 500 rpm while some days its at 300-400 rpm.

Some facts on the car:

- had a tranny oil change in January 2008
- oil change + new oil filter just this September
- new engine and transmission on May 2008 (I posted a previous thread on this)
- check engine light is on (well mostly on - it goes on and off) for 5 months now since the engine swap
- oil change peeps say I need a new air filter, and that I need to reseal my spark plug gasket and valve cover gasket

Any suggestions/advice will be very much appreciated. I really dont want to spend a lot on this car again. It feels like i'm driving a car with a time bomb.. >_<

Kep · 10-10-2008, 10:48 PM

What is the Check Engine Light code?

Kep

***new echo owner*** · 10-10-2008, 11:49 PM

Maybe EGR valve is sticking open? A code would help indeed.

N.E.O.

tak444 · 10-11-2008, 06:49 PM

Just had the car tuned up early during the day. The mechanic checked the code: PO446: evap vacuum emission something (I forgot the exact phrase).

Had the car tuned up in order to get rid of the low rpm idling while engaged on drive - new spark plugs, ignition wires, PCV and fuel filter. While on Park (engine is warm), the car idles at around 600 rpm. But when it is on Drive and the brakes are being pressed, the rpm goes down to 400. Turning on the AC while on a stop further decreases the idling rpm to be at about 300 (and here I thought having the AC on increases rpm). But when you put the car on Park and turn on the AC, the idling rpm is at 600.. talk about being weird.. When you engage in Reverse and let the car drive itself (no gas), the idling is low too (300-400 rpm)..

Mechanic checked for leaks on the underside but found nothing aside from a hole in my muffler. Will return for a smoke machine test to see whether there's a leak or hole for the emission as per mechanic's suggestion.

Oh I forgot to mention, there are times where the warning light for the rear lights (on the dashboard) lights up then disappears after a few minutes of driving. But the check engine light was definitely on for 5 months now since the engine and transmission swap.

Is my ECU whacked or what? The mechanic reset the ECU and after an hour of driving after the tune up, it went on again. Geez.. Help please!

***new echo owner*** · 10-11-2008, 07:29 PM

P0446 is for the evap system malfunction code, which would not have affect the way the engine runs. You may have a leak or something in the charcoal canister or a VSV not working, or maybe even a bad gas cap.

If you are having erratic idling problem without fail code, IAC would probably be the first area to look into.

N.E.O.

Mike Gerber · 10-11-2008, 09:41 PM

"If you are having erratic idling problem without fail code, IAC would probably be the first area to look into."

I have to agree with new echo owner. The most likely cause of erratic idling is a dirty idle air control valve. Do a search for "idle air control valve." How to clean it has been covered numerous times. Clean it along with your throttle body and your idling problem with most likely be solved. The P0446 code is another issue as new echo owner also mentioned.

Mike

tak444 · 10-12-2008, 08:16 PM

The IAC issue looks logical. The car has not stalled me yet ever since the tune up, but still the low rpm issue when the car is on drive is still present. I'm bringing back the car to the mechanic in a few days for him to conduct the smoke machine test, and then for him to adjust the idling and also clean that IAC. I also plan to buy a new gas cap and see what happens with regards to the PO446 code.

Will keep you all updated. Thank you so much for the help!