Check Engine Light On Then Engine OFF

[bmw335]

Car is 94 Camry V6 1mzfe auto. This is what happen in order.
1. First start of the day in any condition will not hold idle, I have to step on the gas for it to warm up then it idle fine. This is when the Check Engine Light is on.
2. It idle, but I can not rev pass 2000, when i step on the gas too hard, then engine bog down and stall. If I press the gas slowly, the RPM will rise with sputter to about 2000 rpm. This happen while CEL is on.
3. When I reset the ECM, the CEL is off, the engine start up and idle like nothing happening. But after about 5 minutes or less of idle, the CEL light up then the engine is shut off immediately.
4. I restart the engine, it start right up becuase right now the engine is already warm not like in step 1. It start back up with CEL on and can not rev pass 2000 rpm. It seem like the ECM is in Fail Safe MODE whenever the CEL is on.

This is what I had done but no help.
I change the VSV valves, take EGR out and clean it, change ECT sensor, Change fuel filter, new spark plugs, Seaform gas tank, oil, and intake. check MAP and IAC with Ohm meter and it is good according the camry manual. Also check front oxygen sensor and Camshaft sensor good. I bridged the two knock sensors' wires at ECM.

Only thing I suspect is both of my knock sensors are bad, that trigger the ECM to go into Safe MODE which make the engine can not rev past 2000 rpm.

What you guy think ?

[new echo owner]

I would suggest pulling the code that had caused the CEL instead of just throwing parts at it. If the CEL kept coming back on, it is obvious that the ECM is seeing something, and the code will help to tell you what it might be.

N.E.O.

[bmw335]

at first I had the code pull at one local mechanic: the code was p0402 which is EGR, and he also said knock sensor and ecu maybe bad because while he pulling the code, the signal from ECM is cut-off. I know the reason why ECM signal is cut off because it switch to safe mode. So the Knock sensor is the last things I think it is bad, but I can not accept the facts is that both sensors going bad at the sametime ? The EGR is working, it not stuck open or closed. I'm waiting for the Knock sensor arrive to do a knock sensor relocation. Hope it will work.

Mean while, any input will be helpful.

BTW what scan tool can read the code for 94 v6 1mzfe ? it has both obd1 and obd2 plug. I bought the innova obd1&2 but it not work on 1mzfe.

[new echo owner]

94' with a 1MZFE, did you do a swap on it?

P0402 is excess EGR flow. How or what did you do to verify that the EGR is working correctly? Any particular reason why you think your knock sensors are having problem?

N.E.O.

[bmw335]

I didn't do ingine swap, it came with the car. This is non-California car. It shiped directly to Hawaii since it was brand new. I check the EGR by apply vacuum to it, the valve did move freely. So it is not stuck. I suspected the kock sensor beause the CEl on then engine in safe mode. Then I restart engine again, the engine is still in safe mode. But after reset the ECM, it will start fine for about 4-5 minutes until the ECM didn't get the signal from the knck sensors which trigger ECM into safe mode. This is what I guess. I rule out the oxygen sensor for now beause I tested the sensor with ohm meter according to the manual and still in spec.

I got the Knock sensor today, and I look at the knock sensor connector on my car in engine bay, it has 4 wires. what should I do ? because the knock sensor has only prong. i did read the knock sensor relocation thread, but it didn't show how you spice which to which. Anyone here understand the process of relocating the knock sensor, please help. Thanks

[new echo owner]

My mistake about the swap thing; not sure what I was thinking that day.

Your car has two knock sensors, one for each bank, and they are both underneath the intake connected to the outside with a pigtail harness, that is why you have a four wire connector.

P0402 is not one of the code that would trigger the fail safe mode; there must be another code. have you try to check for codes again? The OBDII connector should be behind the coin box.

N.E.O.