Car Wont start when cold - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

92Camry5sp · 05-26-2009, 03:07 AM

I just picked up a 96 camry, and what i realize is that, everytime when the car is cold, i try to start it up, it'll catch on then rpm drops down and dies. i can do that forever and it wont stay on, but if i hold down the gas pedal when i start the car, it becomes normal and it wont shut off on me. what can be the problem here? Any help is appreciated.

Sorry, i try to search, but my comp wont let me go in search mode. Thanks.

uibalnme · 05-26-2009, 03:46 AM

I have the same problem with my 96. It has to do with the cold start system. Either the IAC or the cold start injector itself is out of wack. I don't know, I'm no expert. I just live with it since I have neither the time or the money to fix it. I'll hold the rpms at just over a 1000 for a few seconds, then VERY slowly release the pedal. That works for me. The engine will sit at about 700-800rpm when I do that. Oddly though, after 1-2 minutes of driving, the engine will suddenly "wake-up," and idle at 1000rpm. After it warms up a bit, it will drop back to around 800 again.

Every once in a while it'll start without a problem, but that's getting to be more, and more rare as the miles rack up.

hill8570 · 05-26-2009, 10:20 AM

Best bet is that the Idle Air Control (IAC) valve is gunked up enough to be "sticky" when cold. See How to: Cleaning Throttle Body -4 Cylinder Engines- With Pictures in the DIY section ( Camry FAQ ------> READ FIRST -----> Comprehensive List of Gen 3/4 INFO and DIY is a list of all the DIYs ) for instructions on cleaning the throttle body. While you're cleaning the TB, give special attention to the hole at the bottom of the TB, immediately behind the throttle plate -- that's where the air from the IAC enters the TB. Might even want to dump some TB cleaner in there, let it soak a bit, and soak it up with a rag (lather-rinse-repeat) so the gunk just doesn't re-harden on the valve.

hill8570 · 05-26-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uibalnme

I have the same problem with my 96. It has to do with the cold start system. Either the IAC or the cold start injector itself is out of wack...

No cold start injector on the 96 -- the computer just increases the width of the injector pulse based on temperature readings from the coolant sensor.

Just clean the throttle body and IAC (see my reply to 92Camry5sp for details). A cheap can of TB cleaner, an old toothbrush, a rag or two, and at most an hour of your time.