1992 Camry 2.2L - Need help trouble shooting

[92camryy]

(First few paragraphs include the maintenance history as well as several things from when it broke down, problem is described more in depth in the last paragraph)

Hey how's it going guys? I just found this web page and maybe a few of you can help me. I have a '92 Camry its a 2.2L automatic with about 180k miles. The engine is well maintained and runs fine, I've changed the oil every 3 months using high mileage oil as well as additives to help reduce friction. I also just did a tune up about 5 months ago (plugs, wires, air filter only.)

My EGR system is bad, about 8 months ago at idle the car would die, I took it to a buddy I know that owns a shop and he bypassed the EGR valve by blocking off a vacuum hose and said its perfectly fine to do, had no problems since.

Just a few days ago my uncle took it to do some shopping while hes visiting. He tried starting it up when he came out of the store and it would not start. He got it going for a few minutes and the engine would just die. So he had it towed back to my house.

The same day he had it out on the expressway and it drove perfectly fine, so that would rule out a bad fuel filter and most of the fuel system. It's very obvious that it is getting proper fuel.

I did not check the spark yet or anything since the weather here is bad, but because of the tune up I'd rule out the wires/plugs.

The compression should be good since its not miss firing and it can start up and run for a while.

---------

Problem:

The car starts up fine when cold, no miss firing, hesitation, abnormal noises, noticeable air leaks, or smelling any fuel indicating a leak. No lights dim or anything its obviously not the battery/terminals/alternator/starter.
After a few minutes (2-5min) the engine will just die. It does not sputter at all and the rpms don't hesitate or jump, they just drop.

After the car dies, you cannot start it back up for about 10-15 minutes.
All I can really think of is maybe the ignition control module is going?
Maybe after it heats up the resistance greatly increases? Do you guys know of any ways of testing this with a multi-meter? I will pull it out and take it to a store to be checked, but I don't know if they put the stress on it as if the car is warmed up.

Does anyone know what parts usually fail at around the 180k mark? Or possibly even had this problem before? Any input would be great, I'll be looking at the car more in the next few days as the weather is quite bad in Chicago right now (strong winds,rain). Thanks in advance.

- Chris

[abew330]

bad battery?
bad alternator?
it runs for 5 mins.. dies after 5 mins... then you have to wait 10 mins before re-starting it?

what does it do after it dies when you try to re-start it? any sounds? does it crank after it dies?

[92camryy]

My bad I forgot to mention that, after it dies, it does crank but wont fire up. The car is getting power I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with the battery or alternator. To get it back up I've tried holding down the gas as I crank it, but still nothing.

Also with the key on the check engine light does work and while running it is off, so there are no codes stored in the ECM.

[Mike Gerber]

Check the coil inside the distributor. You will need a digital volt/ohmeter and the specs from any manual to do this. There are Toyota factory service manuals that are available for free downloading, stickied at the top of the Camry forum, over at AutomotiveForums.com. Download the generation 3 manual. Also inspect the coil for cracks. This is a common problem as these cars rack up a lot of mileage and can surface more as the coil heats up.

Mike

[92camryy]

Thanks a lot man, I'll check that out tomorrow.

[92camryy]

Alright it finally stopped raining and when I was looking for the Ignition Coil I was looking for an external one. Does anyone know if this model (92 4cyl) has an Internal Ignition Coil? I'm pretty sure but they like to mount things in the strangest locations sometimes. A quick answer would be appreciated, I want to make sure I NEED to pull off the distributor before doing the work for nothing. Thanks guys

Edit: I'm gonna create another topic maybe to get a quicker answer to grab peoples attention towards it.

[mvftw]

Possible bad fuel pump...

[92camryy]

Pulled out the distributor and checked out the coil, its cracked along one of the sides and the rubber diaphram part that lists the toyota part number is also cracked across its width. So this may be the problem, its bad so I'm going to replace it anyway. I'll let ya guys know if it fixes it.

[Mike Gerber]

"Also inspect the coil for cracks."

"Pulled out the distributor and checked out the coil, its cracked along one of the sides and the rubber diaphram part that lists the toyota part number is also cracked across its width."

This is definitely your problem, or at the very least, one of your main problems. An aftermarket coil runs $40-$50 at most auto parts stores and works fine.

Mike

[92camryy]

I've been busy the past few days to respond, but yeah the problem was the Ignition Coil. Tossed the new one on there and it runs good as new. Thanks for the input Mike

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by 92camryy

I've been busy the past few days to respond, but yeah the problem was the Ignition Coil. Tossed the new one on there and it runs good as new. Thanks for the input Mike

You're welcome.

Mike

[CJCride]

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